Douda Golf Club

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Another Day, another adventure. We decided to visit the local golf course today. So, off we went with an Embassy driver and vehicle, to find the Douda Golf Club. It was not only a challenge, but also an adventure. We drove towards the airport, but soon left that behind us as we motored towards the border between Djibouti and Somalia. We were being very attentive since we certainly didn't want to enter Somalia, on purpose or inadvertantly. We're sure that it would not be a pleasant experience. The road that we were traveling on, not one road sign mind you, was very close to the consistancy of a washboard. However, the sights along the road were interesting. Hopefully, I will be able to include some of these pictures. There are some things along the road that we didn't take pictures of, and we will have to tell you about them at a later date. After about a 45 minuted drive, we arrived at the Douda Golf Club. We immediately noticed (how could you miss them?) that the golf club used 4 foot high empty (we assumed they were empty) oxygyn bottles which were painted white, as out of bounds markers. I checked out the 18th green (green??) which was near the entrance, and discovered that it was oiled dirt rather than grass or sand. There were a couple of caddies standing by the "club house" (I use this term loosely), and each had a 3 x 3 foot piece of astro turf. We soon learned that once the ball is hit, and found, it is picked up, and placed on the piece of astro turf so that the second and subsequent shots can be taken. There is no question of a divot being taken even if you didn't use the astro turf. There is absolutely no grass anywhere on the golf course. Actually, we saw no grass anywhere on the way to the golf course. To say that the golf course would be a challenge is a gross understatement. However, there is a golf course in Djibouti, but not for the faint of heart. Bring your old, old clubs (or better yet, use someone elses).
Our next adventure is to find a Chinese restaurant that we heard is very good. We've received some general directions, but since the streets are not marked with names, nor the buildings with numbers, it will be another adventure.

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Photos

Roadside residents
We saw many camels roaming near the roadside.

Phil & Monica at golf club entrance
This sign was the first indication that we were at or near a golf course.

Number 18 Green (Green?)
The oiled dirt #18 Green. Nice to putt on I'll bet.

Tee Box for hole #10
This is a par 3, and you better pray that you hit the green (green?)

Comments

[Jo Stubbs]

Great golf courses
Hi Moni and Phil Loved your golf course at Douda. Have you read about the course at Elliston on our blog? Have to say this blogging is such a great way of staying in touch with everyone. Have you found the Chinese restaurant yet?

[CR]

CVPOA
The nuts are out of the tree!! I understand that the Cypress Blvd. Irrigation plan passed. I also understand some resident[s?] threatened to sue CVPOA if it is initiated because they are not permitted to spend money on county property and the median is!! What a bunch we have!

[Daniele]

Djibouti golf course
I find this blog quite offenisive. It is easy for you to write an "ironic" recount of the sand course in djibouti, but actually it is not very good taste to be critical like that. Yes you will find camels, yes there is no green and yes it is unusual. However the guys that have built and maintain it are proud and are doing a damn sight better than other peers in their country for which they should be commended rtaher than told that you can barely call it a golf course. The caddys are young local guys that make a bit of money to stay off the street, so they shold be commanded for it too. And try to develop a grass course under 40C constant heat and then let me know how you get on. Suggest you hang around on a clean florida course or where ever you are from than going around with attitude and critising other cultures for the sake of writing a funny blog!!