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Gary Player Unveil Eco-conscious Saadiyat Beach Golf Course Design
Jan 18, 2008 | Filed Under: Golf Course Design
On January 17th, Gary Player unveiled his visually stunning and eco-conscious design of the Saadiyat Beach Golf Course - his first signature course in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf's premiere ocean course.
To be built on the upmarket Saadiyat Island, just off the shore of the UAE capitol of Abu Dhabi City, the Par 72 course is unique in the region having several beach front holes. The course, which demonstrates strong eco-responsiveness and boasts sweeping Gulf and beach views, is due for completion next year.
“Gary has delivered a design that is sympathetic to the environment incorporating the ocean and the pristine white sand and beach dunes into the course,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Managing Director of the Tourism Development Investment Company (TDIC). The TDIC is Abu Dhabi’s leading tourism asset developer and the name behind the transformation of Saadiyat Island into a world-class leisure, residential and cultural destination.
“In keeping with the TDIC’s strategy of partnering proven global experts to deliver projects of the highest international standards, Gary Player has produced a course of design excellence. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will be a world-class asset for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
Eco-guidelines for the course include sand dune protection guidelines for course management, water conservation and a protection zone for a nearby section of beach which is a hatching spot for Hawksbill turtles.
The amphitheatre-style layout will be capable of hosting a major tournament in the future. It has been designed in a classic figure eight configuration with over a third of the course having views of the Saadiyat coastline where dolphins are regularly spotted. The course will also feature two freshwater lakes and one saltwater lake, and will be landscaped using native grasses and desert palms.
The Saadiyat Beach district, which lies to the north west of Saadiyat Island, is positioned as the destination’s premier hospitality area and has already secured considerable investment by hotel and resort developers.
“Saadiyat Beach is master-planned to produce a range of five-star resorts flanking nine kilometres of pristine beach. The Beach Course will be a key component of this overall celebrity see-and-be-seen environment,” said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC.
TDIC’s aim for Saadiyat Beach is to have highly landscaped resorts noted for their tranquil sanctuary designs and ambience. The company has laid down strict development guidelines for the resorts which have a series of natural dunes and fauna lying directly behind their beachfronts. Development concepts for the beach have to take into consideration the natural environment as well as offering hotel guests recreational amenities and entertainment on a par with the world’s best resort settings.
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