Golf superstar Montgomerie scores recognition as top designer

Montgomerie shared his views on the game and golf course design in a keynote address that drew a full-house of international golf industry professionals at Dubai's recent GolfEx, the two-day exhibition and conference which attracts delegates from across the golfing world. His design expertise has won industry plaudits, including a commendation during GolfEx from Mark Steinberg, Tiger Woods' Manager, and Global Director of Golf & Senior Executive Vice President of IMG, the world's premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Company. Speaking at GolfEx, Steinberg described Montgomerie as "hot property" in the world of golf course design.

In Bahrain, the 18-hole championship golf course which Montgomerie is creating as the centre-piece of the Riffa Views residential development, is the eighth golf course project he has undertaken, and is set to be among the world's top golf destinations. Commenting on the design expertise that Montgomerie is bringing to the Riffa Views project, Richard Browning, Chief Executive Officer of Riffa Views, said:

"A small and elite number of the golfing world's greatest players have lent their names to the growing number of 'Signature Golf Courses'. But it remains a rare skill among the top professionals to be actively involved in the hands-on design element. Therefore the international recognition Montgomerie is gaining for his designs is a further feather in his cap and really drives home the realisation of the broad genius he wields in the industry of this game."

Montgomerie was in Bahrain last month for the first in a series of site visits at Riffa Views, where he 'Turned the Sod", officially starting construction work on his Signature Golf Course. Talking at GolfEx about his design plans, and in particular, those for Riffa Views, Montgomerie said:

"By putting my name to a golf course I am fully committed and involved in making sure everything about it is right at every stage."

"The enthusiasm for our plans that I encountered in my meetings with the golfing fraternity of Bahrain is a strong start for the project, and I will be keeping a close eye on progress as we move forward with Riffa Views to deliver a superlative golf course that will be great for Bahrain as a whole."

Montgomerie runs his own golf course design company, Colin Montgomerie Design, which, while deploying cutting edge new design concepts and technology, at the same time reflects his appreciation for the deep-rooted traditions of the game, embracing a traditional orientation in the basic design principles.

The Riffa Views Golf Course will include an 18-hole Tournament golf course and 9-hole short course, with the ultra-luxurious new facilities opening for play at the beginning of April 2008.