Nakheel's lead course designer Greg Norman visits Jumeirah Golf Estates

Norman visited the site which lies approximately 22km south west of Dubai city centre to observe progress in the initial stages of grading works. The Great White Shark assessed the completed works and used the opportunity to visualise how the golf courses will be laid out and how they will ultimately relate to the planned residential communities which comprise Phase A of the project.

Greg Norman said: 'I am excited to be part of the incredible story that is Dubai. No place in the world has this kind of vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. A generation from now, when history books are rewritten, the story of Dubai may very well be the first chapter. What's happening here is truly iconic; truly groundbreaking.'

Ms Dina Al Jaflah, Jumeirah Golf Estates General Manager, said: 'It is always a pleasure to welcome The Great White Shark to Dubai; he has been a champion of this region for many years and it is a privilege for Jumeirah Golf Estates to have him on board as our lead golf course designer.

'Although a huge golfing superstar, Greg is very much a hands on designer; he takes a great interest in the development of every golf course to which he puts his name and this trip was an important step in ensuring that the preliminary designs of the Fire and Earth courses are delivered to their maximum potential.'

Jumeirah Golf Estates will feature four world-class championship golf courses individually themed around the elements of nature. Greg Norman will design Fire and Earth, current world number two Vijay Singh will design Water, while another exciting announcement on the Wind course is expected later in the year.

In the short space of a month, Enabling Works contractor Al Naboodah Contracting has completed site clearance and initial rough grading to almost 30 percent of the Earth course.

Ms Dina Al Jaflah added:

'The next few months will see completion of this advance earthworks package throughout the entire Phase A of the project comprising 375 hectares, which also includes the formation of the residential plot platforms and road and utility corridors for some 950 villas that will ultimately surround the two golf courses.'

Meanwhile, the tenders for construction of the golf courses themselves have been floated, with expected commencement in early July 2006, and detailed design of the infrastructure for the residential community is also in progress. Both golf courses will be constructed concurrently and are scheduled for opening in late 2007.

During his stay in Dubai, Norman also presented a keynote speech to mark the end of formalities at the second annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference and played an integral role on the Nakheel stand at the Arabian Travel Market 2006.