The one year countdown to the Dubai World Championship begins

The event is set to be the thrilling crescendo of The Race to Dubai - The European Tour season long competition - and with one year to go the course is already fully grassed and being conditioned to world beating standards.

With a $10m prize fund on offer, in addition to the $10m prize fund of The Race to Dubai, and the chance to play on a course that has never been played before, the world's leading players will descend on Dubai on November 19th 2009.

Alan Rogers, Group Chief Executive Officer of Leisurecorp, the owner and developer of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said:

"With one year to go until the start of the Dubai World Championship, the race is most definitely on to get Jumeirah Golf Estates ready for what will be one of the most prestigious sports events that the United Arab Emirates has ever hosted, with the top 60 players on The European Tour battling it out to win the richest prize in golf. This is the first time ever that a golf course has been developed to the deadline of a world class tournament and we know that the players will be the harshest critics. With 365 days to go the course is already looking spectacular, which allows us to focus on bringing it up to the most pristine of standards and ensuring an incredible experience for players and spectators alike."

The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition that replaces The European Tour Order of Merit. Players are ranked during the season according to their earnings from all events and the top 60 players in The Race to Dubai will qualify to compete in the season's finale, the Dubai World Championship. On conclusion of the Dubai World Championship, the players ranked 1 to 15 in The Race to Dubai will share a prize fund of US $10 million. The Dubai World Championship boasts an additional $10m prize fund, which will be split between the top 60 players, according to their rankings following the tournament.

Alan Rogers continued: "The first shot in the Dubai World Championship will also be the first shot to be hit at the Earth course and will signal the official opening of Jumeirah Golf Estates which I believe is the most anticipated golf course development on the planet. The golfing world is talking about the development and it is our responsibility to deliver a world leading experience. With the inaugural Race to Dubai, the Dubai World Championship, and first handover of properties on Earth and sister course Fire, 2009 will be a landmark year for Jumeirah Golf Estates, Leisurecorp and the great sport of golf."

The Earth course was fully grassed in April 2008, giving it two full seasons to mature before the tournament. Landscaping is continuing with all 18 holes now well defined, and work commencing on the definition of tournament grass lines. For the next year intensive maintenance will continue to ensure the course is in pristine condition, whilst installation of bunker sand will commence in the new year. The Norman Clubhouse, a 131,000 square foot stunning centre-piece which will host the majority of social activities during the Dubai World Championship, is well under way, with the concrete structure due to be completed by the end of 2008.

Greg Norman, golfing legend and Earth course designer said:

"The course is looking sensational, the detailed features applied to the course, whether it be the bunkering, lush vegetation or fast flowing water ways, will be a key aspect, not only in how the course will challenge the players, but also in the aesthetics of the course."

"With just a year to go to the Dubai World Championship, the Earth course I conceived almost four years ago is rapidly taking shape and is looking more Championship worthy each day. I am absolutely delighted with the way Leisurecorp and the team at Jumeirah Golf Estates has realised the vision I had for Earth, which will provide the world's best with a true challenge and a fitting climax to The Race to Dubai."

David Spencer, CEO - Golf at Leisurecorp said:
"Earth is a tribute to Greg's attention to detail and the enthusiasm and expertise of the internationally assembled construction team. In my many years of working in the industry, I have never seen a golf course at so advanced a stage ahead of its opening. Whilst continuing to work on the ongoing preparation of the course, this allows us to focus on the creation of a spectacular tournament experience.

"It is our aim to make the Dubai World Championship one of the events on the Dubai sporting calendar. We will cater for golf fans and those new to the sport alike, with an aim being to introduce new people to this great game. Over the next year, you will be hearing a lot about the tournament and I am sure that on November 19th 2009, when the eyes of the golf world will be on Dubai, you will see something truly special."

Course highlights

After a challenging first three holes, the front nine's magical stretch starts from the downhill 253 yard par 3, 4th Hole, moving on to the 5th Hole played uphill, requiring both tee shot and approach to be threaded through a myriad of bunkers.

The par 3, 6th Hole is played over water to the largest green on the golf course. And the 7th Hole, a classic par 5 that requires the best of playing strategies and an even greater necessity of execution, is sure to leave the most skilled player battling to maintain par.

Following a varied and complex middle stretch between the 8th and 14th, the players will arrive at the final four holes which make up what Greg Norman calls 'the most challenging mile in golf''. This comprises a short, beautifully bunkered par 4; a thinking player's long par 4 played to a tantalising heavily contoured green sat on the edge of a lake; a showstopper of a par 3 across water to an island green; and a closing par 5 played uphill, generally into the prevailing wind, with a stream bisecting the fairway. The opportunity for a two or three shot swing over the closing stretch will cater to the best players and will be a defining moment for spectators and the television audience alike.