This is my second year marshalling at the golf events in the UAE, all part of the European Tour. The Race to Dubai, HSBC Championships and Omega Dubai Desert Classic. I've been static on a crossing or the 1st tee box and 18th green, worked with anti doping escorting players from the green to the anti doping facilities and this week I worked with the TV recording live sound of the players selecting clubs, discussing tatics and have been privy to numerous private conversations as well as quite a few rude jokes in an attempt to shock me. I've smiled a few times, but mainly kept a dead pan look on my face as I can't respond verbally to them whilst recording.
For 5-6 hours a day I'm wearing headphones that pick up every bit of conversation from the spectators, golfers, caddies, action on the other greens and tees. Have you ever watched 'What a woman wants?' with Mel Gibson, where he can hear everything women are thinking? Well it's like that, I hear words, can see people's mouths moving but find it difficult to place exactly where the sound is coming from, it's a sensory overload.
19 Sunday Last day of the golf. Took Peter to the airport in Dubai which is the opposite end of the city from where we live then back past our house to Abu Dhabi grrrrrrrrr. Mum took herself on a walk to the coffee shop then spent the afternoon pool side, she also did all the ironing. Lord knows what Child 5 did all day. I marshalled Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan and Mike Lorenzo-Vera. It was a televised match, but the other marshal and I already work within the protocols such as not walking up the fairway behind the players.
20 Monday Had a well deserved lie in, air conditioning serviced then off the other Outlet Village the other side of Dubai for the day. I went back out in the evening to Emirates Golf Club for the briefing for the Omega Desert Classic that starts on Thursday. I was violently ill during the night, no idea why.
21 Tuesday Mum and Child 5 got a taxi to Dubai Mall for the day, they went up the Burj Khalifa, they were instructed to get a taxi home as I spent the day, washing, sweeping and mopping the floors. I went to bed around 8pm and spent a couple of hours blogging, scheduling posts and tweets and commenting on blog posts.
22 Wednesday Off to Dubai Miracle Gardens in the morning then the Beach for a walk, coffee and ice cream.
23 Thursday Mum and I went out for a coffee and then she went off to the pool again for the day. I started my first day at the golf, lots of familiar faces from last week. It's rare for the golfers to remember the marshals, but the caddies and managers are starting to recognise me, I'm a professional stalker these days lol.
24 Friday More golf, an early start, walked the first 12 holes with a Signature group then was taken off the course and returned to the same group now carrying a 15lb battery pack strapped to my waist and a mic to record sound for the TV feed. Met Mum and child 5 down at Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR), we had dinner out and stayed to watch the fireworks, getting home around the same time as Peter.
25 Saturday Peter in charge for the day as I was at the golf again. Another day with TV, after 16 holes I was collected and driven back to the 16th tee to walk down with Tommy Fleetwood for his last 3 holes. Home, bath, helped mum pack and an early night.
BTW I don't play golf
On the blog this week:
Relocating the cat and dog to the UK They started their life in South Africa, before moving to Dubai where they've been living for the past 5 years.
I have managed 37 miles this last 7 days and quite happy with that. But your mileage sounds more productive and interesting than mine.
ReplyDeleteI could not do the sound recording I cant wear headphones they make my ears very sore and make me dizzy, all a part of my menieres disease.
Quite right to get them to get a taxi back.
the sound recording was very confusing with all the noises and not being able to identify the direction from which they were coming
DeleteSo interesting to find out about how they do the sound. There's certainly a lot to do on your work there. They're looking for volunteers to work at the Nottingham tennis tournaments in the summer but can't afford that much time off for interview and training as well as the event - not really practical either as it's a bit far from home. N's too young and too far away to try ball balling. Shame there's nothing nearer with the same opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer to keep my CV update and because I haven't been able to work properly since living abroad
DeleteWow! You have probably walked more in the past week than I do in a month. lol
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great experience marshalling at the golf. The recording sounds interesting. You look quite the professional with the big microphone.
The walk on the beach with your mum looks lovely. I can almost feel the heat from here. It sounds like your mum is really enjoying the pool.
How cool that the golfers have started to remember you.
The golf has been an amazing experience and hoping to do much more this year
DeleteIt sounds so interesting getting involved with the golf, especially helping out with the TV sound. Love that photo of you. The photo of the golf course with the Dubai skyline behind it is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI've been told that the photo of Dubai looks like the Emerald City
DeleteIt must be interesting helping out with the golf. Hope you are feeling better soon. You walked so far this week!
ReplyDeleteMy legs aren't working this morning
DeleteWow, such a busy week ! Glad everyone is helping out, getting taxis rather than relying on you. There's only so much you can do ! I've loved the behind-the-scenes look at the golfing event, it's fascinating :)
ReplyDeleteit's amazing what goes on behind the scenes and the organisation involved
DeleteThat's quite an impressive step count for the week. Helping out with the golf sounds so interesting but I can imagine all those conversations over the headphones could be quite overwhelming at times. Love the photo from the walk along the beach. #project366
ReplyDeleteoh the conversations were quite personal and rude at times
DeleteOh my goodness thats a lot of steps. It sounds like you are enjoying it though even with the microphone around your middle! Hope your mum has enjoyed her stay and you haven't been ill again. The picture of the skyline is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteeverytime I do the golf i get an interesting and new role, i love it
DeleteGlad to see you've been getting in training for a walking session with us! Bet it was a little different being involved in the sound process. Lots to tell us about next month #366
ReplyDeletestill keeping up with the walking with Bob
DeleteThat is interesting to find out about how they do the sound. Glad you are getting back into the training too. Lots of exciting things happening and busy too xx
ReplyDeletealways busy me, lol
DeleteAmazed by the number of steps (were you a little disappointed not to reach 100k?!) I hope the golf marshal role helped you to relax and de-stress from the reloaction plans #project366
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about that, but I am now
DeleteWow, what an impressive amount of steps! Big well done! I'm not a fan of golf (i.e. don't know much about it) but enjoyed reading about your volunteering. I remember What Women Want, and your description gives a good idea of what it might sound like.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a golf fan either, I just love being involved in things like this and learning new skills
DeleteWow, marshalling sounds like a lot of work yet interesting work. You can hear what everyone's saying? What do you do after you listen to them? As time passes, the golfers will recognise you as well.
ReplyDeleteThe beach looks pretty
After I finish my shift I just go and watch the golf
DeleteWow that is a lot of walking!
ReplyDeleteNot into golf at all so don't recognise any of the names..but it sounds interesting. Not sure I could handle hearing all those voices in the headphones.
I really enjoyed the walking but ached for days afterwards, the sensory overload was a bit too much
DeleteSounds like the golf is keeping you really really busy. I must admit your pictures make me want sunshine and warm #project365
ReplyDeletedon't be fooled by the blue skies, we had a sand and rain storm
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