Muriya appoints Golf Projects Manager

PGA Course 1 and Resort Course 2 at 'Salalah Beach' have been designed to maximise the playability of the courses, while 'Jebel Sifah' has been designed to exploit the natural surroundings.

A native of Ireland with over 15 years experience in the specialised field of golf course construction and management, McGlynn is the holder of a Masters of Science Degree in Sports Surface Technology from Cranfield University, England.

He brings with him a wealth of experience gained while working on numerous projects in the U.K. Switzerland, Dubai, Russia and India and believes that sustainable planning, construction and maintenance methods are key to the success of the projects.

Construction work has begun on both Salalah and Sifah sites with bulk earth works under way. International shapers are on site beginning to recreate the architects' designs on the ground. Deep bore wells and desalination plants have been installed to provide the sites with the required water for irrigation purposes.

The four-hectare turf nursery for the propagation of the golf courses grasses has been constructed and will be planted in the coming months with the latest varieties of turf grass for ocean neighbouring courses for which import permits have been obtained in the Sultanate.

Contracts are currently being composed for the supply of irrigation materials and a professional team of experienced installation engineers assembled. The detailed case studies being researched to determine the best method of providing the required growing medium for supreme turf establishment are also close to completion.

"These projects are sure to bring sustainable year-round tourism to Sifah and to Salalah. The high profile golf courses are designed and will be maintained to international standards suitable for PGA events and are sure to raise global awareness of Oman as a quality golf destination."

said McGlynn.

A constant year-round flow of tourism will also enable these localities to grow by creating job opportunities for the local people and supporting industries.

Both the courses at 'Salalah Beach' are being designed by Karl Litten & Jeffery Myers of Litten Myers Golf Course Architects, North Carolina.

Litten has designed courses in USA, Japan, England and Australia to name a few, and has been designing courses since the early 80's, many of which host PGA championships. In the Middle East, he is credited for courses such as Riffa in Bahrain, the original Creek and renowned Emirates in Dubai, UAE. Litten Myers will bring to 'Salalah Beach' the trusted technique of merging golf and real estate development to produce courses that blend into the beautiful surroundings.

In 'Salalah Beach', the seafront tees and greens running from a links environment on the championship course are designed for the long hitters and the tour professionals. On the other hand, generous fairways amongst the rocky arid surroundings under the mountains of the resort course are designed with the relaxed golfer in mind.

'Jebel Sifah' golf course is designed by the Swiss architect Peter Harradine of Dubai. Harradine is a third generation golf course architect well known throughout Europe and the Middle East for producing the ultimate course for the surroundings. Harradine Golf boasts PGA Tour courses such as Abu Dhabi "National", Doha Golf Club in the Middle East to Bad Ragaz and Losone in Switzerland and Gut Hausern in Germany.

'Jebel Sifah' golf course has been laid out to combine the natural rugged undulations of this amazing site with the flowing sand dunes while catering for golfers of every handicap.

With two fully operational golf courses under its belt in El Gouna and Taba Heights, OD has vast experience in golf course construction and management. El Gouna's 18-hole championship course boasts year-round golfing in a setting with stunning views of mountains and endless water. The course challenges the strength, ingenuity and skill of novice and professional players alike.

The gentle slopes of the fairways in Taba Heights take full advantage of both sea and mountain views and the course offers an impressive 7100 yards between the 1st and 18th hole. Gently nestled between the Red Sea and the mountains, the course provides an exciting game with various rolling elevations ranging from 4 - 70 meters above sea level.