The stunning golf of Arabia
July 6, 2010

Feast your eyes on a typical vista at the brand new golf development of Saadiyat Island, a Gary Player-designed layout along the beach on a low-lying island 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The scale of the masterplan is quite staggering, with comprehensive commercial, residential and leisure facilities all scrutinised under an eco-sensitive policy to turn the 27 square-kilometres into a world-class sanctuary - a snip at $27 billion. The island will be linked to the main Abu Dhabi mainland via two 10-lane freeways, and thus easily accessible with Abu Dhabi International Airport just a 25 kilometre drive away.

For the golfer, Saadiyat is destined to become one of the world's most uniquely captivating destinations. As the Arabian Gulf's first and only ocean course, it features a string of intoxicating beach-front holes - a third of the course enjoys the view you see here, the contrast of the Gulf's glittering waters fringed by pristine white sands.

From the creation of an aquatic habitat to the introduction of salt-water lagoons and the restoration of the beach and sand dunes, the golf course has been designed with strict environmental guidelines. Such is the care that has been taken to nurture native grasses and protect the wildlife, the course has applied to become Audubon certified - an award-winning certification programme that recognises the efforts taken by a golf club to protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf.

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has the further distinction of being managed by Troon Golf, a bye-line recognised by any globe-trotting player as the guarantee of first-class playing conditions and professional levels of service. So why not take a closer look?

It's a six-hour flight from the UK, and via national carrier Etihad you will be transported to a fascinating, dynamic land of enterprise and culture. Visit www.sbgolfclub.ae for more information on how to visit and play Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.