Gary Player unveils eco conscious Saadiyat Beach Golf Course Design

To be built in the upmarket Saadiyat Beach district of Saadiyat Island, the 27 square kilometre island lying 500 metres offshore the UAE capital, the Par 72 course is unique in the region having several beach front holes. The course, which demonstrates strong eco-responsiveness and which will have sweeping Gulf and beach views, is due for completion next year.

'Gary has delivered a design that is sympathetic to the environment incorporating the ocean and the pristine white sand and beach dunes into the course,' said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Managing Director, (TDIC), Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer and the name behind the transformation of Saadiyat Island into a world-class leisure, residential and cultural destination.

'In keeping with TDIC's strategy of partnering proven global experts to deliver projects of the highest international standards, Gary Player has produced a course of design excellence. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will be a world-class asset for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.'

Eco-guidelines for the course include a protection zone for a nearby section of beach which is a hatching spot for Hawksbill turtles and sand dune protection guidelines to be implemented by course management.

The amphitheatre-style course will be capable of hosting a major tournament in the future. It has been designed in a classic figure of eight configuration with over a third of the course having views of the Saadiyat coastline where dolphins are regularly spotted. The course will also boast two freshwater lakes and one saltwater lake. Landscaping and course garden areas will utilise native grasses and desert palms.

'We have taken an inclusive approach to design,' said Player. 'While there is considerable focus on the Championship tees, there are several sets of tees on each hole to accommodate all levels of golfers, a philosophy that is very important to me and my design company.

'Design has taken much from the organic shape of the area so that ideally, golfers do not have to play the same hole twice. This course truly brings golf to nature. The design has concentrated on strategic values that will stand the test of time. I strongly believe it will prove to be one of the most dramatic and challenging golf courses in the Middle East, if not the world.'

Unveiling his design, Player, a South African who is acknowledged as the most successful international golfer of all time and whose career includes three Masters wins, three British Open titles, two PGA championships and the US Open title to complete the Grand Slam, identified Hole 15 as 'one of the most visually stunning and challenging.'

'Hole 15 is a very interesting and tactical 548 yard, par 5, with water being a key feature throughout. Accuracy throughout this hole is a must as a large bunker frames the right, while water runs up the left and across the centreline, eventually finishing right of the green,' explained Player.

Bermuda grass is to be used as the primary turf for the fairways, greens and tees, with drought-tolerant Bahai turf selected for the outer rough and fairway peripheries as it uses a third less water than Bermuda.

'Both turf varieties have been selected because of their low-to-moderate water and fertility requirements,' explained Player.

'Water management is the number one issue for successful golf course maintenance and conditioning. This course will have a modern, computer-controlled irrigation system which allows for flexibility to ensure sound irrigation practices are utilised and the dispensing of adequate water to guarantee optimum plant growth while avoiding over-irrigation.'

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course comes under the jurisdiction of an overarching water strategy mapped out for the island. Initially, the daily course requirement of one million US gallons of irrigation water will come from desalination plants being procured by TDIC, but as the island's population grows, irrigation water will come from sewage treatment works being established on Saadiyat Island.

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course is to be enrolled in the Audubon International Awards certification scheme which recognises courses that protect the environment, conserve natural resources, provide wildlife habitats and are governed by high standards of environmental management.

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will also feature a driving range, golf academy and an iconic clubhouse for which TDIC expects to shortly appoint a designer. The facilities will be open to club members as well as guests from nearby hotels on a pay-and-play basis. An international operator will be appointed to run the facility.

The Saadiyat Beach district, which lies to the north west of Saadiyat Island, is positioned as the destination's premier hospitality area and has already secured considerable investment by hotel and resort developers.

'Saadiyat Beach is master-planned to produce a range of five-star resorts flanking nine kilometres of pristine beach, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Course and private beach clubs. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will be a key component of this overall celebrity see-and-be-seen environment,' said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC.

'The course will snake in and out of nine hotels which will front the course, exposing open tees to the waterfront. The degree of environmental stewardship which has been leveraged for the design is in keeping with TDIC's overarching approach to development and will deliver a memorable experience for all playing the course.' added Tabler.

TDIC's aim for Saadiyat Beach is to have highly landscaped resorts noted for their tranquil sanctuary designs and ambience. The company has laid down strict development guidelines for the resorts which have a series of natural dunes and fauna lying directly behind their beachfronts. Development concepts for the beach have to take into consideration the natural environment as well as offering hotel guests recreational amenities and entertainment on a par with the world's best resort settings.

TDIC has chosen a limited number of select developers for projects on Saadiyat Beach and a series of five-star luxury waterfront resorts have been approved. The resorts, which are designed to create a destination in harmony with nature while providing premium hospitality, are due to open in 2009. Most boast beach-front cafés, and restaurants as well as wellness centres and spas.

Guests will access the resorts beaches by a series of boardwalks and pathways that will meander through a picturesque dune environment. Once on Saadiyat Beach, visitors will experience a completely natural setting that is only a few minutes walk from their hotel rooms. The Saadiyat Beach concept is expected to have strong appeal, particularly among European tourists who are looking for the kind of excellent waterfront destinations the island represents.