features: latest magazine features: Greening the sands
Greening the sands
Golf is a game of the mind. Think too little and you miss; think too much and you overcompensate. Walking on the greens for 18-holes, trailed by a set of clubs that serve as your tools for success and being constantly tested by the natural terrain. This is a game that challenges you on all levels.
In some ways, golf is a model of the working process. Do what you do best, whatever the environment throws at you, keep a focused mind as you progress, and your final performance is based on your achievement throughout the course.
The history of golf in the Middle East is a short one, but the story of successful businessmen, leaders and entrepreneurs looking for an outlet for their laboring-minds is not, and golf is filling this space earnestly and luxuriously in the Gulf.
The advantage of golf making a late entrance to the region is that many of the courses have been built based on the best examples throughout the world. The UAE is well ahead of other regional destinations and a recent KPMG Advisory revealed that half of the region’s operating golf courses are situated in the UAE. Here, we take a golfing tour of the region to highlight the best courses and venues:
Dubai
With some of the most prominent golf courses in the Middle East, Dubai attracts all the top-flight professionals to its championships and many have put their name to courses in the emirate, providing opportunities for amateurs to play courses designed by the likes of Colin Montgomerie and Greg Norman.
Jumeirah Golf Estates
The Dubai World Golf Championships is the climax of the European Tour Race. With a record prize fund of US$10 million, it has attracted attention on an international scale. And where better to hold the championships, than on a course designed by the legendary Greg Norman?
Located on the Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Earth Course is one of two completed championship courses (the other named Fire), and was the first ‘Eco Signature’ golf course in the region to host the inaugural championship in 2009.
Only partly completed, the sprawling luxury residential golf community is located out towards the desert from The Palm Jumeirah, which offers a wide range of hotel choice. The Atlantis and upcoming Marriot Marquis Hotel are two great candidates to host larger groups.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
This golf course has always been a playground for champions, the current course record of 63 is jointly held by former world number one Lee Westwood and 2011 Open winner Darren Clarke. With the clubhouse designed in the image of a traditional Arab Dhow, complimenting the Yacht Club that resembles a luxury cruise ship by the waterside, the property and the courses meld seamlessly into the waters.
With exclusive venues such as the golf function suite and patio, events for up to 800 people can be hosted. The secret gem of the club is Marina Island, an outdoor venue, offering stunning views. Accommodation is paired with the bon-vivant’s favorite, The Park Hyatt Dubai.
Emirates Golf Club
This club’s courses are some of the most spectacular in the region, and one uniquely offers night golf – the championship course, the Faldo. The Majlis was also ranked as one of the Top Ten Golf Courses in the World in 2010 by Golf World magazine that dubbed it “the desert miracle”.
From PGA Tour championship, the Desert Classic, to team-building activities – both golfers and non-golfers alike are often wowed by the facilities that include many recreational and dining experiences aside from the impressive greens.
When it comes to corporate events and entertainment, the magnificent Clubhouse Terrace is suitable for up to 500 guests and offers stunning views of The Majlis Course. The Lawns is the largest venue, offering space for up to 3,000 guests and benefits from the stunning backdrop of the Dubai Marina skyline. There is also the Royal Majlis, resembling a Bedouin tent, but with French accented interior decor that provides a memorable location for any event, large or small.
The Emirates Golf Club’s location at the centre of ‘New Dubai’ provides a raft of accommodation choices spanning the marina, The Palm and Dubai Internet and Media City.
Montgomerie Golf Club
Forming a key attraction of The Address Hotels + Resorts portfolio, this club’s combination of top class greens, cosy atmosphere and boutique accommodation options make it an ideal venue for corporate events with an air of exclusivity.
Combining Scottish golf traditions in an Arabian environment, with fairways dotted by glistening lakes, the 7,386-yard course takes the golfer on a challenging and iconic journey.
As part of the Address family, the Montgomerie Dubai offers a wide range of conference and event-management facilities. Meeting rooms have state-ofthe- art equipment with large banqueting tables that can accommodate up to 80 guests, and a cocktail reception area that can hold up to 100 guests.
All events can be tailored and held in any of the scintillating restaurants. The Academy is a sports themed restaurant that has the versatility to host banquet or cocktail receptions. It also has a Majlis area ideal for alfresco events with up to 200 participants.
The Lawn sits on top of the greens opposite the clubhouse, with a view of the 18th hole, and is often chosen as a venue for buffets, while the Aquaviva Pool deck is ideal for larger groups thanks to its capacity for up to 400 guests at a cocktail reception.
The Address Montgomerie’s boutique hotel on-site offers 21 five-star rooms.
Abu Dhabi: Golf Central
From beachfront to desert oasis courses, Abu Dhabi is emerging as a true golfing destination with new courses constantly opening or under development that work in tandem with Dubai and other emirates to make the UAE a true golfer’s playground.
Yas Links
The first true ‘Links course’ in the Middle East, located on three kilometers of sandy hills along the Arabian Gulf, Yas Links benefits from a rich ecosystem of bird and marine life, as well as the five-star hospitality synonymous with the island and its F1 credentials.
Yas Links is also a fabulous location for events, able to accommodate 2-300 participants indoors, and up to 1,000 outdoors. As partners with Yas Marina Circuit and Flash Forum – additional significant meeting space can be provided on request in locations very close by.
Within convenient reach of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Yas Island has seven hotels, and can provide up to 2,500 rooms.
Just a step away from the clubhouse is the golf course where delegates are encouraged to play a team-building round of golf on the championship greens. These can be arranged by the in-house events team, or in conjunction with external providers. Other activities can complement the tees, including kayaking through the mangroves, island wide cycle tours and ‘games & challenges’ on the events lawn.
Saadiyat Golf Course
Located on Saadiyat Island is the new Saadiyat Golf Course, designed by Gary Player. It is an imaginative and unique course featuring some pristine beachfront holes. Weaving in and out of the nine five-star hotels, this is a new type of course that reflects sensitivity to the natural environment.
The conference academy of the club is ideal for launches, seminars, and day conferences. The distinctive property can provide for meetings from eight people, to over 100. Indoor and outdoor areas are supported by catering, decorations, theme and entertainment options.
Sitting alongside the elegant Park Hyatt and the classical St.Regis Hotel means that five-star accommodation is on the doorstep to the course and special delegate packages have been introduced to attract conference groups.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
This must be the only golf club in the world with a clubhouse built in the image of a falcon and it is impressive and imposing from first glance. Featuring 27 championship holes, a golfing institute, and spread over 162 hectares of land this is a landmark facility in every way.
Hosting a round of the PGA European Tour for the Abu Dhabi Golf Classic, the course’s credential are well on par, with the reigning champion Martin Kaymer remarking that "If I could build my own golf course it would be very close to the golf course at Abu Dhabi."
For events of a corporate kind, the club is known for adding a local-luxury feel, housing five state-of-the-art meeting and conference rooms – one of them is the luxurious Shaheen Suite with furnished recliner seats, an 85-inch television and Bose audio equipment for intimate meetings accommodating up to 15 delegates.
Private events can be held both indoors and outdoors. Qanas is the private indoor event locale situated atop the Falcon shaped clubhouse, while Falcon terrace is suited for alfresco events with a split level outdoor area that is perfect for larger cocktail receptions and banquets.
Oman
Offering its own brand of golfing attractions, Oman is building some illustrious golf courses that showcase the country’s natural attractions with its imposing mountains and wadis that offer a completely different landscape to UAE courses.
The Wave – Almouj Golf
Recently opened with 9-holes (a further nine to come), Oman’s first PGA Links golf course, designed by Greg Norman, features an academy, driving range, and floodlit par-3 practice facility. Built in the heart of the capital, next to the seafront, the whole course runs along six kilometres of pristine beach.
Team building activities are managed internally and are based around golf clinics and fun competitions where individuals play to score points for their respective teams.
A conference room is available for small meetings and private dinners, seating up to 15 with more facilities due to come on-stream once the main clubhouse is completed in 2014. But for now, accommodation and facilities at The Chedi and The Park Inn hotel nearby are recommended to guests.
The club recently opened and anticipates its remaining 9-holes to be available for play in March, 2014. For now, they have some corporate events planned for Audi and Bank Muscat, with their competition calendar kicking off in the New Year.
Muscat Hills
On top of the 18-hole course, this newly completed development hosts a Country Club and luxurious residences. Throughout the project, its developer, His Highness Sayyid Kais bin Tarik Al Said ensured that the course would provide both competitive facilities and reasonable prices.
Managed by Braemar Golf, the construction and management company behind the ultimate golfing Mecca of St. Andrews, the development promises to make its mark. In fact, it has already been heralded as one of the most spectacular golf courses in the region by the European PGA.
HSBC has selected the course for an upcoming corporate event with celebrated leading European golfer Colin Montgomerie set to join participants.
With twelve five-star hotels in close vicinity, including the elegant Grand Hyatt and the Chedi hotels, meeting facilities are also accessible and there is a large boardroom on-site if the group doesn’t wish to stray too far from the greens.
The backdrop of the Hajar Mountains is clearly a USP and all golfing abilities are provided for with tuition programs ranging from beginner to advanced. Team building tournaments are held in the form of ‘Texas Scrambles’ and ‘Power Play’ which are also suitable for the new golfer.
Bahrain: The Royal Golf Club
As Bahrain’s signature 18-hole grass course, the landscape follows the natural desert terrain and utilizes natural Wadi waters to create an interesting and challenging course that provides many scenic highlights with native palms and shrubs, spread over 160 acres.
The Royal Golf Club has hosted Bahrain’s first European Tour event, the Volvo Golf Championships.
The newest venue on the European Tour calendar, the club also has an array of meeting credentials. For conferences, complimentary room hire with packages are on offer for half or full days.
Тhe Majlis function room is inspired by traditional Arabic conference seating arrangements, capable of holding up to 150 guests.
The closest hotels offering accommodation and further facilities include the newly opened Hotel Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa and the Al Areen Palace & Spa.
Qatar: The Doha Golf Club
Boasting an enormous driving range, the Doha Golf Club remains true to the characteristic Qatari style of luxury and grandeur mixed with traditional Arabic design. The clubhouse is situated at the highest point of the course, mixing with the greenery and aesthetic features to create a unique backdrop.
The course is championship standard, underlined each year with the hosting of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which includes some of the top 50 players in the world. It is also the venue for a number of corporate golfing days with supporting meeting facilities.
There are seven different conference rooms in-house that can be arranged into various seating styles depending on capacity requirements. These can hold intimate business conferences, as well large scale events for up to 250 delegates.
Team building activities are offered in the form of small tournaments on the 9-hole academy course, golf clinics with PGA professionals, or alternatively with lawn bowl games.
Meeting capacity ranges from 20 in the Al-Majlis Suite, to 1,600 outdoors on The Greens. Being the only grass course in Doha, the club makes full use of its manicured fairways.
Many business and resort style five-star hotels encircle the club, hosting European tour participants and golfing enthusiasts from around the world.
Dressed for success?
From mini-golf, to pay-as-you-play driving ranges, team building activities offered by golf clubs is now getting office colleagues taking to the greens together.
“People think you have to play golf to join these sessions – you don’t!” says Adele Cowgill, Dubai Golf’s Marketing Manager. “There are lots of ways of bringing golfers and non-golfers together.”
Cowgill thinks that golf has always been wrongly perceived as an exclusive game with people often wondering about their suitability to join based on imagined requirements. “For example, people always ask ‘What am I going to Wear?’ The truth is that they can come in trainers, a collared shirt and shorts to play.”
Packages start with ‘The Golf Experience’ for beginners, where teammates attend introductory golf clinics and guests can play, lounge and enjoy food and beverages throughout the PGA Qualified Professionals-led tutorials. There are also the three tiered ‘Corporate Par 3’ events. Only a small amount of golfing experience is required.
With their close association with luxury hotels, UAE golf courses offer spectacular catering and meeting services, and this has not escaped the radar of leading event marketing company Global Event Management – who have launched a Golf in the Gulf initiative to establish the region as the winter golfing destination of choice.
Whether for work or for leisure, both individuals and companies are starting to appreciate what golf in the Gulf is: a luxury recreation. www.dubaigolf.com
