Viya has welcomed Anna Darnell as Emirates Golf Club’s new General Manager, marking an exciting new chapter for one of the world’s most iconic golf and lifestyle destinations.
Bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across championship golf venues and luxury hospitality, Darnell joins Viya with a proven track record of delivering exceptional member and guest experiences, building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence.
Working alongside the wider Viya leadership team, Darnell will oversee all aspects of Emirates Golf Club’s operations, helping shape the club’s next phase of growth while continuing to enhance the world-class experience enjoyed by members, guests and international visitors alike.
Christopher May, CEO of Viya, said: “We are delighted to officially welcome Anna to Emirates Golf Club. She is a highly respected leader within the golf industry whose experience, energy and passion for excellence make her a fantastic addition to the Viya team. As Emirates Golf Club continues to evolve as a global destination for golf, hospitality and lifestyle, Anna’s leadership will play an important role in shaping its future while building on the exceptional standards the club is renowned for.”
Darnell joins Emirates Golf Club following senior leadership roles at some of golf’s most prestigious venues, including The Grove, Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, Marriott Hanbury Manor Hotel & Country Club and Loch Lomond Golf Club. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for combining operational expertise with a people-first leadership approach, consistently delivering outstanding experiences for members, guests and colleagues alike. She is also a qualified PGA Professional.
Darnell said: “It is an honour to join Emirates Golf Club, a venue that has earned an outstanding reputation around the world and has played such an important role in the growth of golf in the region. From my very first conversations with the team, it was clear there is a shared ambition to keep raising the bar across every aspect of the club experience. I’m incredibly excited to begin working with the team, getting to know our members and guests, and helping write the next chapter in the club’s remarkable story.”
Home to the world-renowned Majlis Course, host of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and the Faldo Course, Emirates Golf Club has been at the heart of golf in the Middle East for more than 35 years. Today, the club is recognised internationally not only for its championship golf, but also for its premium hospitality, dining, leisure and lifestyle offering.
Viya is the UAE’s leading golf and hospitality management group, operating a portfolio of championship golf courses, award-winning restaurants, premium leisure and recreation facilities, innovative entertainment concepts, and digital platforms.
Since launching Emirates Golf Club in 1988, the region’s first all-grass course, the group has expanded to include Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, Topgolf Dubai, Tiger Strikes, and recreation brands such as Viya Fit and Viya Padel.