Nakheel Golf launched with great fanfare

'Nakheel Golf' was officially launched today, in the presence of noted golfer Greg Norman, and other dignitaries.

Nakheel Golf, in alliance with international golfing star Greg Norman, will immediately commence work on developing six prestigious golf courses located in Dubai at selected Nakheel projects. In a separate but related dimension of this association, Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel, has been invited to join the Executive Board of the Environmental Institute of Golf - the exclusive international body promoting environmentally sound golf courses.

Addressing a press conference to formally launch Nakheel Golf, Wahid Attalla, Executive Director Commercial and Operations at Nakheel announced that it would serve as a full-fledged division of the company, and that it would spearhead Nakheel's foray into the world of golfing, which includes the concept, creation and maintenance of several unique golf courses in Dubai. The key highlights of these courses are eco-friendly and environmentally sound principles and practices.

Attalla said that the launch of Nakheel Golf was a natural progression of the company's noteworthy accomplishments in the field of real estate design and planning, at their various ongoing projects.

"We have a successful history as developers, in all its areas - planning, designing, implementing and maintaining - and being appreciated for our efforts by a global audience. By extending our expertise and experience in real estate development, we have launched Nakheel Golf to specialise in the development of golf courses and golfing-themed commercial and residential properties in Dubai.

"Nakheel Golf will start work simultaneously on the several exciting projects that have already been earmarked for development. And yes, the world should expect the same unique approach and exacting standards that we have applied to all our ongoing projects," he stated.

Attalla then elaborated on each of the six proposed courses: The Little White Shark will be located on Jumeirah Islands, and feature a 3 par, 6 hole course. A totally family oriented venue, the highlight of the course will be its clubhouse, built in the shape of the shark that is also the logo of Greg Norman's private company. The course will be ready by October 2005.

The Jumeirah Golf Estates - an as yet unannounced real estate development planned by Nakheel - will feature four championship golf courses built around a gated residential community. With 18 holes each, the environment themed courses will be designed around the elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Greg Norman will be personally involved in the creation of two Eco Signature Courses a the Estate, which will focus on eco-friendly principles and practices and feature flora and fauna that are indigenous to the region.

The Inspiration, the first golf course of its kind in the world, is designed as a tribute to Greg Norman's long career in the sport. The course will be based on a realistic re-creation of the legendary golfer's favourite holes from around the world which include six from the Americas, six from Europe and six from Australia. Among these legendary holes which have inspired and challenged Norman include those from Augusta National and Shinnecock Hills (US), Turnberry and St. Andrews (UK) and Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath (Australia). The Inspiration will be located, very aptly, at The Lost City.

Meanwhile, The Great White Shark, as Greg Norman is popularly known in international golfing circles, a special guest at the press conference in Dubai, formalised the alliance with Nakheel.

Norman said,"Dubai has proven its vision time and again - be it in innovation thought or through incredulous action - and it is my belief that apart from many other notable credits, golf too will become a flagship attraction of this truly amazing Emirate.

"I will be working very closely with the Nakheel Golf team to make their grand vision become a stunning reality, and in a few years time, it will not be amiss to label Dubai as one of the golfing capitals of the world, and perhaps, its best and most unique," he stated.

Norman also returned the honour accorded to him with a magnanimous gesture - a personal invitation to Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel to join the Executive Board of the Environmental Institute of Golf, a US-based international association chaired by him.

"It gives my great pleasure to invite Sultan Bin Sulayem on board with us - as a deserving representative of Dubai, and also, for his personal commitment, amazing foresight and visionary approach to developing this sport in our times," Norman declared.

Sulayem will become the first non-American to join the Executive Board of EIFG, since its inception in 1955.