Sport | Golf
History of the Emirates Golf Club
The Majlis at EGC was the first grass course to be built in the Middle East. Carved from the desert, the course - with its lush fairways and large quick greens - uses the natural terrain of the land to provide a formidable test of golf.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 20:37 January 30, 2008
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
Dubai: The Majlis at EGC was the first grass course to be built in the Middle East. Carved from the desert, the course — with its lush fairways and large quick greens — uses the natural terrain of the land to provide a formidable test of golf.
Designer Karl Litten's main aim was to preserve as much of the land's natural character, numerous patches of desert and the natural vegetation that is consistent with this terrain will gobble up wayward shots.
All great courses have great finishing holes and the Majlis is no exception. Ian Woosnam's hopes of winning the 1997 Classic were dashed when from a certain winning position he misfired a wedge shot that landed in the lake. He then went on to lose to Australia's Richard Green in the play-off.
However, the most famous victim to the 18th is none other than world No 1 Tiger Woods. Seemingly on his way to victory in the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic, Woods punched his third shot into the lake allowing a grateful Thomas Bjorn to see out the hole and win the trophy while Woods rued what might have been.
— Source: EGC website
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