Fresh from his final appearance at the US Masters at the Augusta National, Gary Player flew into Abu Dhabi to inspect progress on his signature Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Arabian Gulf’s first ‘ocean’ course.
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer, plans to open the course later this year.
Player’s latest visit marks a significant milestone in approving the shaping-up and grassing of holes, as well as tree planting at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
He describes the course as being “at one with nature,” using the island’s natural environment as the canvas for creating striking landscape design.
“The course delivers a real sense of drama by contrasting natural features with bold design statements,” said the man regarded as the most successful international golfer of all time and winner of golf’s elusive Grand Slam.
The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, the first in the Arab region to have a beach frontage, is shaping to be the jewel in an already glittering list of renowned Gary Player-designed golf courses, now numbering more than 300 worldwide.
Operated by Troon Golf, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is designed to incorporate a distinguished practice range, as well as a Golf Academy and an iconic clubhouse, the social heart of the district. With features for all levels of golfers, the club’s facilities will be unique to the region offering a true ‘Member for the Day’ experience for UAE residents, holiday makers and guests from the surrounding hotels on a pay-and-play basis.
DJ Flanders, General Manager of TDIC-Troon Golf Alliance, said: “It is clear this will be a premier, world-class golfing facility. Mr Player’s unique architectural vision has been translated at every stage of this project, giving the course the absolute prestige to attract world-renowned golfing excellence to Abu Dhabi.”
Player was quick to identify the natural assets of Saadiyat Island as being integral to helping him design, mould, and shape a course which weaves in and out of surrounding developments, exposing open tees to the magnificent waterfront.
“Saadiyat Island is truly breathtaking and the sensory elements of the landscape along with the sweeping Arabian coastline and deep green fairways give the course a real edge. It is a gift to nature,” he said.
“Even after designing so many courses around the world, there’s something unique about this one which excites me. Set alongside the world’s largest cluster of renowned cultural institutions, such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Course will raise the bar and set a new standard for across the Arab region and beyond.”
www.saadiyatbeach.ae
www.tdic.ae
Contact:
Gida Aden
Black Knight International
gida@garyplayer.com
+1 561 624 0300
