Meet The Lady Captains of Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai

In honour of Troon Women’s Golf Month, we spoke to Lady Captains of Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai, past and present to find out why they play golf, what they love about Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai, and what they do to grow the game of golf amongst women.

Name: Ilka Hesse

Lady Captain: 2021/22

How long have you been a member of the Montgomerie Golf Club: 4 years

How did you get into golf?

12 years ago my husband changed his job and due to the fact that his company sponsored global top golfers, both of us started to play golf. My aim was to be able to attend tournaments and meet nice people and I loved this sport because most of the golf courses are located in the most beautiful locations with great people. 7 years ago we moved to the Middle East and since then I‘m playing even more intensely. I became a member of the Montgomerie Golf Club, met lots of new friends within the expat community here in Dubai and I love the amazing golf courses in this beautiful part of the world.

What does it mean to you to be Lady Captain?

I‘m very proud to be the Lady Captain and excited to present our wonderful Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai around our region and in events and to be the contact person for our members.  As part of the leading team, I like the exchange with our members – this allows me to bring the club life closer together, listen to the needs and feedback to improve and grow the club further and I can organise events, so overall I‘m happy to contribute to making the club more meaningful for all of our members.

What’s special about Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai?

Special is how the members interact with each other.

Regularly we’re having our ladies’ events called – Tuesday Ladies“ (we play every Tuesday morning in different kinds of competitions) „9&wine“ (we play 9 holes before sunset and afterward dinner and wine in a restaurant) and our „birdies & bubbles“ (we play our par 3 courses and have afterward dinner together).

All of these events plus the regular tournaments at the weekend bring the members closer together, gives room to chat, relax, and party with other golf enthusiasts and it‘s always a great spirit with lots of fun.

In your role as Lady captain, how do you encourage other women to play and learn golf?

I encourage others to join us because there are many opportunities to explore the beauty of golf. Our events, the atmosphere within the club, the other members and the amazing golf course of course, and much more. The best beginning is always to start with a couple of practice hours in our academy to check out if this could be something for you or not. And I can promise you, most of them are getting addicted very quickly.

What is your dream foursome for golf?

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Nelly Korda

Name: Claudette Marie Douwes Dekker – Dumoulin

Vice-Captain: 2019/20

Lady Captain: 2020/21

How long have you been a member of the Montgomerie Golf Club: Since 2017

How did you get into golf?

A long long time ago via my parents.

What does it mean to you to be Lady Captain?

It meant a lot to me. You are not only the face of or representing the club but you are in a leadership role, intermediating with the management and being the point of figure for the ladies.

If previous Lady Captain, what was your best moment, or fondest memory of being Lady Captain?
The whole year was a great memory for me. Every moment.

What’s special about Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai?

Social small group, great connection, attachment, kindness, communication. Like a family, always welcome.

In your role as Lady Captain, how do you encourage other women to play and learn golf?

As a life coach and event manager, you know how to motivate and encourage people.

Name:  Barb McBean

Captain details: 2009-2010

How long have you been a member of Montgomerie Golf Club? I have been a member of the Monty since 2004.

How did you get into golf?

I started golfing when we moved from Canada to Dubai in 2004.  The weather was so much nicer than the winters in Canada and my husband is an avid golfer, so I decided to take up the sport.

What does it mean to you to be Lady Captain?

It is quite an honor to be Lady Captain.  You represent your golf club and all the members.  I always encouraged ladies of all handicaps to come out and enjoy the game with the members.  Dubai is quite unique as we have so many expats here, so you meet ladies from all different countries.

If previous Lady Captain, what was your best moment, or fondest memory of being Lady Captain? 

I think my fondest memory was and is still the fact that I started ‘Nine & Wine’ when I was Lady Captain and today it is still going, stronger than ever.  I started it so that all lady members whether they were beginners or had a low handicap would come together for nine holes of fun golf and then get together after for some drinks and food. We always have so much fun; I am thrilled it’s still taking place every second week during the golf season.

What’s special about Montgomerie Golf Club?

I feel the Montgomerie has very friendly members and of course, the staff are outstanding as well.  It’s a very social club so we have a lot of fun.

In your role as Lady Captain, how do you encourage other women to play and learn golf?

I feel that if you have the desire to learn the game, you need to encourage women to take lessons, practice, learn the rules, but most importantly have fun and enjoy the s and port meet new people.

What is your dream foursome for golf?

I would like to play with Annika Sorenstam, Tommy Fleetwood, and Henrik Stenson.