Irish pop icon Ronan Keating swapped sold-out arenas for sun-drenched fairways this week as he teed it up in the Dubai Invitational Pro-Am at Dubai Creek Resort, adding a touch of global stardom to the season-opening event of the International Swing.
The former Boyzone frontman, whose career has spanned more than three decades, is no stranger to life inside the ropes. A self-confessed golf obsessive and single-figure handicapper, Keating has been a regular feature on the Pro-Am circuit for years, combining his passion for the game with appearances alongside the world’s best players.
From chart-toppers to championship fairways
Having sold over 25 million records worldwide with hits including Life Is A Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing At All, Keating now calls Dubai home after relocating to the emirate a couple of years ago. Golf has played a major role in that move, with the city’s depth of world-class courses proving a huge attraction.
A familiar face at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, Keating has often joked that if music hadn’t worked out, professional golf might have been his calling. The Dubai Invitational offered another chance to test himself in elite company.
Playing alongside the Race to Dubai leader
Keating was paired with current Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper, gaining a front-row seat to the South African’s impressive ball-striking and calm demeanour.
“He’s a hell of a golfer,” Keating said. “You can tell he’s got a great head on his shoulders. Days like this tell you a lot about a player, and he’s going to be a special one.”
Dubai’s growing pull for golf lovers
Splitting his time between Dubai and Sydney, Keating is effusive about the emirate’s golfing appeal, name-checking favourites such as Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Resort.
“If you’re into your golf, there’s no better place to be,” he said. “Great courses, great weather, and days like this – it doesn’t get much better.”
