The Dunes on course for completion

The Dunes is Ernie Els Design's first golf course in the Middle East and combines a links golf course with traditional 'classical era' design. At 7,563 yards from the back tees and with over 80 bunkers, The Dunes will be a showpiece course and will be the backdrop for the Victory Heights community of over 900 spacious and elegant villas.

In a briefing for the press at the Dubai Sports City site, the President of Dubai Sports City, Khalid Al Zarooni and CEO, U Balasubramaniam, gave an update on construction and made a tour of the course whilst speaking to a number of people involved in the course development including Greg Letsche, Design Associate, from Ernie Els Design.

Construction of the golf course, which is being undertaken by UAE-based Septech Emirates and its joint venture partner, Turnpoint Australia, began in January this year and to date nine of the fairways have been shaped with two fairways grassed. Over one hundred people are currently working on the course and they are involved in a number of different processes to ensure the course is completed on time from shaping to irrigation to landscaping.

Almost two million cubic metres of earth have already been moved to form the course and surrounding residential sites, and it will take over 6,000 man hours of driving various types of bulldozer by the two 'shapers' to create the design of the course.

Speaking to the press, Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City, said, "It is fantastic to see how much progress has been made since January and to be able to see what now looks like an actual course. Ernie Els, our partner in this project, has been involved in the design process every step of the way, and he continues to keep a close eye on how things are progressing. It is our intention, with him, to create a golf course that will be world-class and at the forefront of golf evolution."

Wayne Lowery, Sales & Marketing Director of Victory Heights continued, "The Dunes will be considered one of the best of its kind and fits perfectly with the Victory Heights offering of upmarket community living. Residents will benefit from stunning views of the course, landscaped greenery and a sense of space."

The golf facilities at Dubai Sports City, including the Butch Harmon School of Golf, will be managed by Troon Golf, the world leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf manages operations at more than 185 courses located in 29 US states and 22 countries.

U. Balasubramaniam, CEO of Dubai Sports City, added, "We are immensely proud to have some of the biggest names in the world of golf on board with us. This is another great example of how Dubai Sports City continues to form long-term strategic partnerships with the best of the best in the sporting world."