Sport | Golf
Historic Dubai golf course set to regain past glory
Meydan breaks ground to bring sport back to Nad Al Sheba
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Special Features Writer
- Published: 00:02 November 26, 2010
- Image Credit: Oliver clarke/Gulf News
- Sherif Raouf, Sports and Leisure Manager at Bab Al Shams, tees off to symbolise the start of an ambitious Meydan project to restore the Nad Al Sheba golf course. Standing as witnesses are (from left): Abdin Nasralla, Vice-President at Meydan Hotels and Hospitality Division; Noaman Al Ajmani, Government Relations Officer at Meydan; Saeed Mohammad Al Mutawa, Public Relations Manager at Meydan, and Mohammad Abdul Nasser Al Khayat, Communications Director at Meydan.
Dubai: A slice of UAE sporting history will be restored thanks to an ambitious plan to restore the old Nad Al Sheba golf course and transform it into a true lifestyle community facility under the Meydan banner.
Work on the project has commenced and the new nine-hole course is expected to be ready for play on October 15, 2011.
Outlining the strategic plans at an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Meydan Communications Director Mohammad Abdul Nasser Al Khayat said that the development will reflect a traditional renovation of one of Dubai's most popular golfing locations.
"The opportunity exists to provide recreational opportunities at Meydan focusing on golf, especially for the youth. It's also the perfect way to attract more people to Meydan where they can also benefit from the other facilities," Al Khayat pointed out.
"There are many 18 hole golf courses in Dubai where you will have to have some type of membership in order to play. At Meydan you can just drive in, get registered and use the driving range or play over nine holes. It's as simple as that."
The golf course, which was closed on June 1, 2008 to make way for the Meydan racecourse, will experience a complete renewal at the hands of internationally acclaimed golf architect Peter Harradine.
Harradine, who designed the courses at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Sharjah Golf &Shooting club and the neighbouring Doha Golf Club, said his alterations will allow the course to stay true to its form and remain a distinctly Scottish links-style course.
"I really like the golf course, it's in pretty good condition," said Harridine. "Work has commenced and the general plan is to burn most of the grass and re-sprig a large part of the area with Bermuda grass.
"The project is not expected to involve a great deal of changes as such but we will be focusing on improving the greens and fairways."
Uninterrupted view
With plans to build housing villas inside the course Harradine said that the landscaping will nevertheless offer golfers uninterrupted view of the iconic Meydan Grandstand and racecourse.
Sherif Raouf, Sports & Leisure Manager/Tennis Professional at Bab Al Shams will head the proposed academy at the Meydan Golf Course.
"We will be highly focused on the young generation of golfers offering guidance at all levels of golf," he said. "Meydan will be a very unique and recreational golf course — a very simple course that will not be too much of a challenge. You can have a lot of fun playing at this course, we can guarantee that."
Abdin Nasralla, Vice-President Meydan Hotels & Hospitality Division, said: "We are proud to unveil the Meydan Golf Course as we leapfrog the improvement plans for leisure and sporting activities at Meydan. Meydan's goal is to provide the best-in-class for all generations."
More from Golf
More from Sport
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
A Christian comment: France can flourish
World Cup-winner Karembeu predicts big things for his country
-
Japan in quarters of AFC Futsal championship
Thrash Tajikistan 6-1 at al wasl club to seal place in knockout
-
High-quality runners set for action
Field includes Smart-trained Group 1 winners Aziz, Harran and Areej
