Dubai is 'ultimate golf destination'

Dubai: The Great White Shark is still at large.

Greg Norman, the golfing legend also known as the Great White Shark, is working hard, providing his touches to the first of his two Eco-signature courses at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"Dubai has really put itself on the map as the ultimate destination for golf and residence," said Norman, after unveiling the Greg Norman Limited Edition Range Rover Sport, available only for the purchasers of homes at Fireside golf course in Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"I first came to Dubai nearly 13 years ago. The whole place has progressed tremendously over the years. I am proud to be involved with this place for over such a long period of time. I am working towards the completion of the Fireside. Dubai is a second home for me as I spend a lot of time here.

"I love Dubai. I come here not just to play golf, but also to enhance my business. I am looking forward to going to the motor show, as well as the air show that is happening here," he said while obliging autograph hunters, who surrounded him with a copy of his book: The Way of the Shark - Lessons on Golf, Business and Life.

Talking about his passion for designing golf courses, he said: "I like being associated with companies like Leisurecorp (which is responsible for identifying, acquiring and developing leisurestyle related investments in Dubai and around the world) and Land Rover.

"I love being pushed. As a golfer, I've always strived to be a better player than what I am.

To the next level

"If I am excellent in one field and weak in another, then I try and work on my weaknesses to get better and better.

"Leisurecorp has pushed me to the next level and has set the benchmark higher and higher to achieve better," said Norman, who took up golf at the age of 15 and throughout the 1980s and 90s spent 331 weeks as the world's No 1 golfer.

Norman's motto is: "Everything I do, I approach with a passion - in every aspect of my life. I reject compromise. I have been closely involved in the design to ensure that they maintain the unwavering standard I set for myself and for the courses that carry my name.

Nothing has been overlooked and I am delighted with the result so far," said Norman, who also said that he will take part in the Desert Classic in 2009.

Asked when his course would be ready, Norman passed on the question to David Spencer, the chief executive officer of Leisurecorp.

"The golf course will be ready later in 2008. We will not rush to open the facilities and stage a big tournament. The official opening will be around the fourth quarter of 2009," said Spencer.

To a query as to why Australia produces good golfers, Norman said: "It has very good golf courses. Kids grow up playing in some of the 30 world's best courses day in, day out."