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Gary Player shapes new 'ocean' course in Abu Dhabi

Fresh from his final appearance at the US Masters at the Augusta National, sporting legend Gary Player flew into Abu Dhabi yesterday 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 non-American golfer of all time with three US Masters Wins, three British Open titles, two PGA championships and one US Open title.

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, the first in the Arab region to have a beach frontage, is shaping to be the jewel in already glittering list of renowned Gary Player Signature golf courses, now numbering more than 200 worldwide.

Operated by Troon Golf, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is designed to incorporate a state-of-the-art practice range, as well as a Golf Academy and an iconic clubhouse, the social heart of the district. With features for all levels of golfer, the club’s facilities will be unique to the region offering a true “Member for the Day” Experience for UAE residents as well as holiday makers open to its members, and also to guests from the surrounding hotels on a pay-and-play basis.

The 73-year-old South African has now retired from all four of golf''s major tournaments, but his worldwide work on golf course design and development continues unabated. He is one of only five players in the history of the game to achieve the Grand Slam of winning all four major tournaments.

“It is clear this will be a premier, world-class golfing facility,” said DJ Flanders, general manager of TDIC-Troon Golf Alliance. “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 loops 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.”

April 26, 2009