Stephen Hubner has been part of the Dubai Golf family for almost 20 years, having started his career a golf professional at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in June 2006 before working his way up the ranks. He moved over to Jumeirah Golf Estates as Director of Golf Operations in 2018 and took over as Club Manager of the DP World Tour Championship venue in 2022.
If anyone is equipped to be a custodian of, and gatekeeper for, the exquisitely high standards and traditions that have kept Emirates Golf Club at the forefront of the GCC’s golf offering for over three and a half decades, it’s Hubner. Rick Bevan sat down with the 43 year old Scotsman to discuss his new role at the helm of one of the world’s most revered clubs.
Worldwide Golf: It must make things easier, being part of the same network and coming through the ranks learning a certain way of doing things. But after several years with Dubai Golf at one iconic venue, you’ve now taken the reins at arguably the most iconic venue in this region and one of the most well-known clubs in world golf?
Stephen Hubner: I’ve really enjoyed working here since starting earlier this year. More than anything, I feel a strong sense of responsibility. As you said, it’s a prestigious, iconic venue, and I’m proud to have been entrusted with this role. But I certainly don’t take it lightly. It’s very important to me to continue the club’s traditions while also moving it forward. I’d say I feel proud, fortunate, but above all, deeply responsible.
WWG: As you mentioned, this club has always upheld elite standards. And when anyone starts a new role, you naturally want to put your own stamp on it. You don’t want to just replicate what’s been done—you want to add value. How do you approach preserving that tradition while still evolving things in your own way?
SH: Fortunately, I’ve been with the company and in Dubai for over 19 years, so I’ve seen a lot of the club’s evolution firsthand. I’ve also learned a great deal about its history and legacy. First and foremost, you need to be respectful of the people who came before you—those who helped shape what is now such an incredible facility and culture. That respect helps you approach change thoughtfully.
One of my key focuses is to embrace and promote the traditions and history of Emirates Golf Club. Since opening in 1988, it has built up a rich heritage. I want both members and guests to understand and be proud of that. At the same time, we’re in a dynamic, forward-thinking city, so we must keep improving the customer experience and continue progressing—without ever taking a step backwards.
WWG: That mirrors what Chris May said when I interviewed him before the Desert Classic. Emirates Golf Club has long been a leader in golf in the region, but with new courses popping up all the time, it would be easy to get left behind. Yet it hasn’t. How has the club managed to maintain that ‘best in class’ standard all these years?
SH: It comes down to several things. Firstly, the Majlis course is a masterpiece. Karl Litten designed something truly special. Professionals love playing it. Back in 1988, it was built in the middle of the desert—now it’s surrounded by a thriving city. Golf fans around the world have seen that transformation, which adds to the club’s identity and appeal.
Then there’s the clubhouse—the Bedouin tent-style design is iconic and instantly recognisable on TV. That familiarity helps us stay ahead.
But more than anything, it’s the people. From our members and club captains to the team in key roles—many of whom have been with us a long time—there’s a real understanding of the club’s traditions and a commitment to evolving in the right way. Having leaders like Chris May, and those before him like Andrew Whitelaw and Barney Coleman, has been crucial.
Also, since we became part of Wasl in 2009, the company has really encouraged us to grow, innovate, and open up to new members and ideas. That forward-thinking approach has been a big factor in our success.
WWG: If we look back at your time at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE), what are you most proud of achieving during your tenure there?
SH: I really loved my time at JGE. Dubai Golf took over management on October 1, 2018, and that was my first day there after being at Dubai Creek. I spent just over six years at JGE, and the thing I’m most proud of is enhancing the overall culture at the club.
I focused heavily on improving the colleague experience, knowing that if we take care of our team, they’ll take care of our members and guests. Building belief, providing training, creating a strong team culture—all of that translated into an improved member experience. And I think most members would agree that relationship grew stronger over the past six years.
WWG: So would you say that building a strong team culture is a key element of your management philosophy?
SH: Absolutely. It’s about creating a culture where people want to go the extra mile—not because they’re being watched, but because they believe in what they’re doing. That kind of team, with a shared desire and direction, is always more effective.
“One Team” is actually one of our core values. Of course, you need strategy and planning, but if your foundation is a united team culture—where everyone looks after one another and aims to deliver amazing experiences—that guides everything else.
WWG: Well said. While you were at JGE, you were closely involved with the DP World Tour Championship as it evolved. How rewarding was it to be part of such a high-profile tournament?
SH: It was incredibly rewarding. I remember attending the very first edition in 2009 when Lee Westwood won. It was a great event even then, but it’s grown tremendously. The credit goes to the DP World Tour team—their creativity and innovation are second to none.
I learned a lot from working with them. It was a privilege to be part of it, even if I can’t take any credit for its growth. People like Freddie Schmeisser, Tom Phillips, Graham Glen, previously Nick Tarratt, and the wider team have done an incredible job.
WWG: You got to see it from the inside, which not many people get to do. And now you have that same experience with the most iconic tournament in the region—the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. That must be exciting.
SH: Definitely. I remember watching it on TV as a kid. When I first came to Dubai in 2005, I visited Emirates Golf Club and thought, “Wow, I’m really here.” I used to watch Seve Ballesteros giving short game tips on a VHS filmed at the Majlis. So, to now be part of this place is incredible.
Over the years, I’d always make time to come down to the Desert Classic—even just for a day. This year, I was here the whole week, every hour, and it was fantastic. The changes in hospitality, on-course F&B, the village atmosphere—it’s been amazing to see how the event has evolved.
One of the key strengths of the Dubai Desert Classic is its spectator experience. The course layout allows you to see multiple greens and tees from one spot, and everything is close to the clubhouse and amenities. It’s compact, but doesn’t feel cramped—perfect for fans and TV.
WWG: Chris said the same thing. It’s a compact course, but it never feels small. That makes it great for spectators and broadcasters. Now, we’ve talked a lot about golf, but in today’s environment, how important is hospitality and the wider member experience at a modern club?
SH: It’s crucial. Golf is our core, of course, but a club is also a place where people spend their leisure time. They work hard, and when they come here, we want to offer a wide range of top-quality experiences—whether it’s dining, socialising, wellness, or sport.
We need to constantly enhance what we offer, through new ideas or by doing tried-and-true things even better. For me, if your whole team is focused on the member experience, then guests will naturally have a wow experience too.
That’s what happens at top country clubs in the U.S.—they focus on members, and visitors are blown away by the service. We’re aiming to create that same standard here.
WWG: And finally, for people who haven’t visited the club yet—what can members or guests expect from the Emirates Golf Club experience?
SH: Beyond the two outstanding courses—Faldo and Majlis—we also have floodlit golf on the Faldo and our par-3 course. The Peter Cowen Golf Academy is here too, with eight full-time PGA professionals and more joining soon, plus incredible technology in our swing studios.
We also offer a wide range of other activities—paddle tennis has really taken off, and we have tennis courts, squash, a gym, and plenty of personal training sessions. We’re also partnered with Up and Running, the longest-standing sports rehab clinic in Dubai, so there’s a full wellness component.
Ultimately, we want everyone—members, guests, athletes, families—to feel like they’re part of something special when they walk through our doors.
