Golf's expanding global horizons are taking on spectacular
proportions in the unlikely setting of Dubai while China, India and
a host of other countries are lining up to jump on to the
bandwagon.
The latest converts to the ambitious Gulf emirate's booming golf
course design programme are none other than world No 1 Tiger Woods
and European Ryder Cup hero Sergio Garcia.
Significantly Woods, in choosing the venue for his first venture
into golf course design, chose neither California nor Florida, but
Dubai, recently announcing a spectacular development that will
feature a par-72 course, a golf academy, 300 luxury villas, 20
mansions and an 80-room VIP hotel all embossed with the famous
Tiger stamp.
It is scheduled to be completed for late 2009 and until then
Woods will be a regular visitor in his private jet to compete in
the Dubai Desert Classic, which he won for the first time last
year, and oversee his multi-million dollar creation.
"I am excited about the challenge of transforming a desert
terrain into a world-class golf course," Woods said.
"I have a vision of creating something that is uniquely mine and
I want to realise this vision in Dubai.
"I have been amazed by the progress of Dubai. From the time I
first came to play here in 2000, I wanted to be a part of this
amazing vision."
Garcia is the latest addition to the ranks of the Jumeirah Golf
Estates who are laying down a stupendous four course setup called
Fire, Earth, Water and Wind.
Australian legend Greg Norman is designing Fire and Earth,
Fiji's Vijay Singh will mastermind Water and Garcia will be
responsible for Wind, which is being described as Dubai's first
links-style course.
The emirate already has seven top-class courses in commission,
including the perfectly-manicured Emirates Golf Club, established
host to the Desert Classic and the new additions will make it up to
around 20 in the space of 28 years, a remarkable achievement for a
country that depends on treated sea water to turn parched, barren
land into glistening greenery.
It's all part of Dubai's bold plan to use golf's increasing
global prosperity as a vehicle to lure tourists, businessmen and
developers from Europe, the United States and Asia and it seems to
be working.
Long-time associate Norman is in no doubt.
"To see the growth in Dubai to where it is today and where it
came from is phenomenal," he said.
"I think it's just the mirror image of what's going on with the
high-rise buildings around Dubai.
"A lot of people really didn't pay much attention to how big
Dubai really is and the other GCC countries around here because
it's been tremendous growth.
"I think it's great for the whole world because you're seeing
things happening that maybe you don't see anywhere else in the
world except Shanghai."
Norman's mention of Shanghai is apt as all indications are that
the world's most populous country is entering a golf boom that
could shortly create a third major axis in the sport after the
United States and Europe.
Course construction is gathering pace, especially around China's
largest city and showpiece of its industrial and commercial
devlopment, big name stars are lining up for a share of the action
and top tournaments are being re-located there every year.
It means extra travel time for many of the biggest names in
golf, but many, like South Africa's Ernie Els, say it is a price
that is worth paying.
"I feel the game is changing quickly," he said in Dubai.
"I think the real market is here and the Far East. I'll go to
Shanghai definitely once, maybe twice this year.
"I'm going to go to the Johnnie Walker and I think I've got
enough time after that back in the US to really get myself prepared
for the Masters."
After the Gulf and China, India is seen as being the next target
with players like Jeev Milka Singh and Jyoti Randhawa breaking
through on the international scene.
Norman is one who has his eyes fixed on golfing projects in
India and he is looking even further afield to the eastern
Mediterranean, Turkey, Jordan, Brazil and Central America. All this
at a time when the US market is stagnant.
"Going back to the 60s, 70s and 80s, golf was classified as an
elitist sport," he said. "It's not that way anymore."
"People are seeing the viability. Just look at here in Dubai.
Golf has been the barometer and been in sync with what's happened
here with this growth.
"If you're lucky enough to be involved and caught up in the
vortex of it, then great."
(China Daily via AFP February 9, 2007)
