Gulf News caught up with Dubai resident Nicolas Colsaerts at The Els Club after he was awarded a Dubai Golden Visa.
Why have you chosen Dubai as your family home?
I first visited Dubai in 2001 to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, it was probably one my first few events when I came out on the European Tour. I liked Dubai immediately and felt comfortable. In 2005, I stayed with Dubai resident and fellow Tour player Gregory Havret in his villa at Arabian Ranches. I was single in those days and we explored more of Dubai than just the golf clubs and driving ranges. It was great fun, with such superb golf clubs and practice facilities, let alone the weather and friendliness of both UAE nationals and expats.
Let’s bring the conversation up to date with your family in Dubai.
My wife Rachel and I have two kids, aged four years and seven months, and we live in Victory Heights in Dubai Sports City. Our eldest goes to the Swiss School and it was important for us that the kids continue their French language at school. I speak French, English, Flemish, Italian and Spanish with various degrees: from fluent to modest standard. We love Dubai and find it very safe for the kids and the whole family.
Where do you play golf in Dubai?
I play at The Els Club. The GM Tom Rourke, and all his team really make us all welcome and we are family members. The whole family ride bikes around our community, including to the golf club.
What other plans do you have in Dubai?
We have found it very easy to transition into the Dubai lifestyle. Also, we have set up a business — Colsaerts Management FZCO -which was very easy to do, with plenty of help to guide us through the processes and paperwork. In addition to still play the game, I want to spend time cultivating a corporate network, by offering golf day appearances, hosting events as well corporate dinners. Longer term, the kids are coming up to a key age for schooling, education and to have stability and growing. Our plan is to stay in Dubai for perhaps 10 years and then review what we want to do with our lives and where is the best place to be. I hear from so many people here in Dubai that they came to Dubai for two years and 20 years later they are still here and loving it even more.
How did it feel to get confirmation of your Dubai Golden Visa for you and your family?
We were delighted. It was handled very swiftly and professionally. I want to thank all the authorities involved. A special thanks to the authorities and departments of the government of Dubai for granting me this award. I feel very proud and honoured to have been welcomed by everyone in Dubai and I hope I can do justice to Dubai as an Ambassador of this great city.
Nicolas Colsaerts is a 39-year-old golf professional who plays on the DP World Tour. Also known as ‘The Belgian Bomber,’ Colsaerts was born in Schaerbeek, Belgium. Coming from a sporting family (his great grandfather represented Belgium at basketball and water polo at the 1920 Olympic Games), he started playing golf at six years old in Brussels. He had a very successful junior and amateur career; he was selected twice for the Junior Ryder Cup (in 1997 and 1999), and represented Belgium at the 1998 and 2000 Eisenhower Trophy. He turned professional in 2000, the day of his 18th birthday.
