Golf's dream team blows into Dubai

Garcia is to work on the design of Dubai's first links-style course, taking its inspiration from the earliest forms of golf, in which uneven fairways, thick rough, small greens and pot bunkers create an exciting golfing challenge - which is then made even more memorable by the swirling patterns of the wind.

In a world first, "El Nino" - so named because of the energy and dynamism of his game - will be joined by two of the world's leading golf course designers in creating the Wind course.

Greg Norman, one of the world's most successful player-turned-designers, has signature courses around the world. Already working on the Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Norman will work closely with Garcia in creating the Wind design.

And in his first project in the Middle East, Pete Dye - known as "the father of modern golf course design" - is to collaborate with Norman and Garcia on the project.

David Spencer, chief executive officer of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said:

"We promised something special for Wind and we're definitely delivering it.

"Garcia is one of the most exciting raw talents in golf today. The excitement and raw energy he brings to the game will be balanced by the maturity and sophistication of Norman and Dye.

"No course in the world has been able to bring together three such major talents. This is a truly unique collaboration.

"Wind is without a doubt going to become one of the most stunning courses in world golf. It will be a natural work of art - a masterpiece."

Scheduled for completion in 2009, Wind joins Fire and Earth - each designed by Greg Norman - and Water, designed by Vijay Singh, in creating one of the world's leading golf developments.

The four courses will be surrounded by a collection of individually designed homes set within a truly breathtaking landscape. Enclosed within a secure gated environment, Jumeirah Golf Estates' communities will blend the best in modern living with the wonders of nature.

Wind will be one of Sergio Garcia's first course designs. Only 27 years old, Garcia has an outstanding playing record on both US and European Tours, with six wins on each. He is also famous for strong performances in the Ryder Cup, with one of the best playing records on either side.

Sergio Garcia said:

"I love the demands of links golf. A great links-style course means it is both a physical challenge and a mental test - and offers the most enjoyable golf there is. That's exactly what we want to create with Wind at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"I'm really excited to be working with Pete Dye and with Greg Norman on the design. I cannot think of a more experienced and successful pair of golf course designers in the world today.

"Pete Dye in particular is a legend in golf course design and it is a real honour to work with him on his first project in the region."

Greg Norman, known the world over as 'The Great White Shark', is a legend in the game of golf. His astounding career includes 86 professional victories, including 20 US PGA Tour titles and two major championships. His reputation as a 'hands on' course designer is already being proven on his two existing Jumeirah Golf Estates developments, Fire and Earth.

Greg Norman said:

"I don't know of another project anywhere in the world that has brought together three internationally recognized figures to collaborate on one golf course. Sergio Garcia brings enthusiasm and excitement to this project that is contagious. And working with Pete Dye again is fantastic. There is nobody in the world today that knows more about golf course design - especially links golf.

Pete Dye was champion golfer in his own right, before turning to golf course design nearly 50 years ago. Heavily influenced by his early trips to Scotland, the home of golf, Dye's designs have established new levels of quality and challenge for golfers over the last four-plus decades. Wind marks his first project in the Middle East and his first collaboration with Garcia.

Pete Dye said:

"The Dubai desert provides what every golf course designer dreams of - a completely blank canvas on which to work. I've always believed the traditional elements of real golf in Scotland offer the greatest test for golfers and that is what we want to create here.

"You will see the undulating fairways, pot bunkers and protected greens that you'll find in all the best links courses. We're determined to create a truly memorable experience."

Work on Wind will start shortly, with completion planned for 2009.