- Gary Player designed beach-front course an Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010 contender
The 18-hole Saadiyat Beach Golf Course in Abu Dhabi is shaping up to make a powerful environmental statement with the master designer, golfing legend Gary Player, dubbing it “a golf course and a nature sanctuary.”
Player made the prognosis during a site visit of the eco-sensitive course, which is under development on Saadiyat Island – the global leisure, residential and cultural destination taking shape just 500 metres offshore the UAE capital city. On-track for a third quarter of 2009 opening, the course – Player’s first UAE signature course and the Arabian Gulf’s only ‘ocean’ course with several beach front holes – is expected to enhance Saadiyat’s already rich wildlife credentials and could be virtually tree-less.
The course, designed as an eventual contender for the annual European Tour-backed, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, is the core the Saadiyat Beach district of the 27 square kilometre natural island which has a wealth of bird and marine life.
“Environmentally, the project is fitting in beautifully with Saadiyat’s natural assets. However, when the long grasses and turfs are laid, the site will attract an even greater proportion of wildlife – Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will be a golf course and a nature sanctuary,” explained Player, a Grand Slam winner who lifted nine Major titles in his exceptional career.
Following inspection of the first eight holes nearing completion, Player revealed how the environmental focus of the course has prompted further design fine-tuning which would further set the course apart.
“ We’ve added a fairway bunker to the driving range - nowhere else in the world, not even at Augusta (the home of The Masters golf tournament) can you practise hitting bunker shots down the fairway and Saadiyat will have that,” explained Player, an avid environmentalist who is acknowledged as the most successful international golfer of all time.
“Other notable changes include the introduction of new tee-boxes – so the course is playable for all levels – and a re-think on the number of trees adorning the course. Previously we were considering planting thousands of coconut and date palms but after discussions on how the nearby luxury resorts and homes will be landscaped with numerous trees and faunas, there is no doubt in my mind we should be limiting – even completely removing – the trees on the course.
“Instead of using trees to define the course, I believe we should let the natural beauty of the island and Abu Dhabi be at the core. The sweeping Gulf waters, beach views and the many white sands dunes spattering the course are key design components – we are aiming to create an eco-responsive setting where the traditional environmental elements transcend the playing experience.”
And with construction ahead of schedule, master developers Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) - Abu Dhabi’s leading tourism asset developer and the name behind the transformation of Saadiyat Island - is exploring the possibility of Saadiyat Beach Golf Course hosting the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship from as early as 2010.
“Gary was amazed at the way his initial design has been realised; the course undulations and cuts are really coming together,” said Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. “Having walked the course and reviewed progress, Gary was steadfast in his belief that this course - in tandem with the five star resorts adjoining it - will have the pedigree to attract a world-class field to Abu Dhabi for a premier international tournament.”
After the site inspection, Player insisted the final Saadiyat product will elevate Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading international golf destination.
“Make no doubt about it, Saadiyat Beach Golf Course is going to be a world-class, championship-level golf course,” said Player.
“With Saadiyat Island also being home to the world’s largest cluster of renowned cultural institutions, such as Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi, a major new international destination is on the verge of taking the world by storm. Take my word for it, not many people around the world may be talking about Abu Dhabi now but in ten years time they’ll be coming here, not just talking about it,” he added.
Player was quick to identify the effectively blank Saadiyat canvas as being an integral factor in him being able to design, mould and shape a course with all the facilities to attract international attention.
“This course will raise the bar and set a new standard for golf courses across the Middle East, if not the world,” added Player.
