Dr Eleanor (Ellie) McCarthy gestures during the interview at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Gulf Today Report

Dr Eleanor (Ellie) McCarthy, a frontline hero in Dubai’s fight against COVID-19, was given the experience of a lifetime ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, when three of the biggest names in global sport surprised her with the ultimate round of golf. 

The golf fan was invited to play the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates by Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, who then enlisted the help of two-time DP World Tour Championship winner, Henrik Stenson, and Dr Ellie’s favourite player, Tommy Fleetwood, to complete the fourball quartet.

Up until the surprise appearance from Poulter, Dr Ellie believed she was visiting the course for an interview with the European Tour around the impact of coronavirus on the medical community in Dubai.

READ MORE

Emirates Post honours frontline workers

Sheikh Mohamed appoints Board of Frontline Heroes Office

Sheikh Hamdan praises all COVID-19 frontline warriors in a touching letter

The experience was arranged by DP World and the European Tour as a way of recognising and rewarding the hard work and sacrifice that Dr Ellie and so many of her colleagues and co-workers in Dubai had to make during the global pandemic.

“Meeting some of the world’s best golfers and playing a round of golf with them was an incredible experience. I don’t work half as hard as lots of other frontline workers do, but thank you for a great day off. It’s been lovely to have a proper smile on my face for a day. I cannot remember the last time when I completely forgot about the work, so today has been amazing. There is so much more work to be done and I feel privileged that I’ve got a little bit rest today,” Dr Ellie said.

English golfer, Lee Westwood, almost made a cameo appearance on the day to speak with Dr Ellie and pass on his thanks.

He said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to spend some time with Dr Ellie today. She is a keen golfer and deserves a little treat for all she’s gone through this year. Without people like her we would have been in incredible trouble. This year has been tough enough as it is, but Ellie and other doctors and nurses are like angels that are helping us and keeping us safe.”

Due to her role on the front line, Dr Ellie, her husband and her three young children had to isolate from friends and family for over four months to reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus.

Her rewarding golf experience was filmed as part of a short documentary, as a way of helping Ellie shine a light on the amazing work that front line heroes globally have done.