3. •
Last Sunday, we went out to visit with Mr. Hedley Butterfield to the club and we met
with the administrator Mr. Mike who was a gentleman and respectful. Initially he welcomed
us and then we did a short interview with him .He accepted all the questions with an open
mind and explained to us all the details about the club and then we went on a tour around
the club; specifically in the reception center he explained to us some pictures that tell the
history of the club and then we took some photos with him, and he gave as a gift a wonderful
book that tells the history of the club from the sixties until today. I promise you when I finish
processing photos taken there I will lay it down here. I do not want to forget Hedley's wife
Mary; she played a big role in our visit to the club and gave us full information; we really
thank her for her information. At the end, I would like to tell you it was a fun trip and
interesting and I hope to visit that place again in the near future.

4. • When asking Mr. Mike about how the club was established in 1962 and
how they get the idea to construct the club. He replied that someone
spoke to his highness, and his highness said okay we can sort out, then a
building which was 500 meters far from the main port gate, it was known
by that time as the extirpator He said “okay, take this building and turn it
to the club”, and that how we started in 1962. In 1966, sheikh Zayed saw
the club and one year later in 1967 sheikh Zayed said to the extirpator if
you went to leave this building we have a new place for you and he give
them the previous land, and they officially started in 1967. At that time
they had 152 members but today they have approximately 4500 the
member are from 84 countries, 26 of them are formal ambassador, while
5% of the members are emirate local.

5. Moreover we
asked the manger about
the membership and how much was the cost
to be member in the club and he said the
membership is for all nationalities, however it’s
by invitation, and he explained detailing that
who wants to join the club, they have to apply
first, then their application will be reviewed
then can be accepted or denied, as it depends
on the demand while keeping in mind their
resources. Furthermore we asked the manager
about who the financial system of the club, the
manager replied that the land was gifted by
the late his highness sheikh Zayed and they are
grateful for that, and since there, the
development and the construction was run by
the profits of the memberships.

6. Another question was if there is an opportunity of opening a shooting place in the club and
he answered we must have the requirements for that and considering the space for it, also
he said that it will be hard to require the equipment like guns for instance, while in his
opinion they will face some healthy and safety issues, denying any financial obstacles for
this facility as their policy is to provide a membership with a wide variety of services and
facilities at an affordable price. We asked the manager about the future plans for the club
and he said that there vision is to support the efforts of the government for their future
plan of Abu Dhabi 2030, and their behavior is running in parallel to it, as they also
contributed the Alnadi tower that presents the legacy of the club over the 50 years as they
had over the last 50 years they had over 30000 members; he also talked about the nonemirate old members and said that many members said if the club did not exist at that time
1960th they will be gone back to their countries, so the club is offering many & various
amounts of facilities which afterwards they can contribute to the development of Abu
Dhabi as they have members from all the sectors and he believes that their job of providing
pleasure and comfort so when the go back to their work in Sunday feeling refreshed and it
continues over the year as their goal to support a larger slice of the society of Abu Dhabi.
Afterward, Nasser asked him about the system of invitation to friends of the members.

7. He answered that there are two way , one if the invitation and you are not a member to use
the facilities there are a guest fee, however if a member invited a friend there will be no
charges whoever they were, but with just a call before for notice. Hamad asked him about
the relation of calling the club the British club. He answered that its historical, however he
denied immediately that it was never the British club and he reasoned that by that the first
elected chairman in 1971-1972 was not a British.

9. •
This map shows all the sites in the club which was drawn 8 years ago by Mr. Hedley’s wife Mrs. Mary butterfield; who
described the areas in details. Many changes happened since the map was drawn and we will explain these changes.
•
The vista offers wonderful sea views, the place is great and consistent and attractive and the food service was fine. There is
an international menu and there are Omani shrimp and everything you may like. The place is considered one of the best
places for the family for many reasons the most important is calm and staying away from places nagging (opening hours:
Sun-Sat 12pm to 1am)
•
The club’s breadth of sports and fitness facilities are among the most extensive in Abu Dhabi. The purpose built health
complex includes a fully equipped gym, fitness studio and offers members personal training, programmer management and
full fitness assessments. The sports complex features four flood-lit tennis courts, two squash courts and badminton court.
Additionally, the club offers members swimming, sailing, scuba diving, volleyball and basketball facilities.
•
A. There was a water front cabin, currently there is vista.
•
B. There was ramp for boats, currently there is the deck.
•
C. Tennis courts and club section.
•
D. Fitness.
•
E. Facilities
•
F. Family friendly club.
•
G. Room family.
•
H. Private room.
•
I. Main entrance (reception).
•
J. Sailing Club.

12. Look at the key map
Head toward meeting with the
manager

13. Mr. Hedley introducing students to the general manager
outside ALSARAB LOUNGE
Mr. Hedley , talking about meeting plan, outside
ALSARAB LOUNGE

14. Discussion about the meeting with the
MR. Mike before starting.

15. All seated in before the meeting starts, on THE DECK.
During The Meeting (1) , Hamad asking
questions to Mr. Mike.

16. During the Meeting (2), Mr. Mike answering a
question
During the Meeting (3), Mr. Mike answering a
question

17. Hamad receiving a book about the club covering 50 years history of
the Club (1).
Hamad receiving a book about the club covering
50 years history of the Club (2).

18. • At last not least, we had a nice trip in the club, it was
worthy and very impassive. We would like to mention that
Mr. Mike was friendly in the interview and answered all of
the questions in proper way. Maybe in the in the next few
years we will get a membership in the club after what we
knew about it and after we had enough knowledge about
the club. we liked how the management care about the
members and their needs. Should other clubs do what The
Club do and don’t focus on the profits only. We also knew
many other things such as the history, rules and facilities.
We wish the best for the club and hope it keep developing.