Final Shot with Peter Downie

Alex Jenkins talks to the General Manager and Director of Golf at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club about his introduction to the game, his best-ever round and who he'd have in his dream fourball.

Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club

Do you have a favourite course?

Clearwater Bay is of course extremely special to me. With the changing winds, it plays differently every day, and I can't think of another course that has actually become better over the years. It's like a fine wine. As a club we're constantly striving to create an even better and even more special golfing experience.

Overseas, my favourite is unquestionably Muirfield. I started my career there as a caddie, and it's a brilliant challenge, quite unlike most other links courses, with the front nine playing clockwise and the back nine playing anti-clockwise.
Who would be in your dream fourball?

My father, who would be so proud of where I have come in golf. His partner would be 'The King', Arnold Palmer; my father was one of Arnie's Army. They'd go against me and my boyhood hero Seve Ballesteros. I was very fortunate to play with Seve when I worked in Dubai ... such an inspirational and humble human being. 
What has been your most memorable moment on a golf course?

It would definitely have to be during the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic, which was held at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, where I was the director of golf. I had received a sponsors' invite to play but I couldn't get a wink of sleep the night before the first round because I thought I would shoot 90 the next morning. Surprisingly I went on to shoot successive 69s and found myself in the last group out on Saturday alongside David Howell, the eventual champion. After six holes I actually look the lead! Talk about being out of your comfort zone ... I went on to shoot 75 and 78 and quickly realised I'd leave tournament golf to professional golfers, not golf professionals like me.

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