Dubai Golf is Green

I have just picked up this snippet of news about Dubai Golf from the Times online;

The scarcity of water is impacting construction in markets all over the world, from Spain to Cyprus, but a byproduct of the construction boom in Dubai is creating new project options. Undrinkable water can be used to irrigate golf courses, which have been identified as the next big thing in Dubai. A report by the KPMG Golf Advisory Practice found that 42% of professionals in the industry believe that Dubai will offer the best opportunities for golf course development over the next five years.

Did any of you see that coming?

The Tiger Woods, Dubai September 2009

Well if you are going to make use of the pro golfer designer name you have hired you may as well use it to the full. It is billed as 'A private Golf Community, the vision of its namesake' Hmmm. There is a very honest description of the input of the great visionary though; He talked about some of the things he liked most about other courses and the whole design team visited a few, but then they go on to say that Tiger has been very 'hands on'. Now, this could mean anything, but I am pretty sure thats about Tiger giving the nod to designs that are put in front of him. So does it work? If you are looking at golfing holidays are you more likely to book this.If you are buying an off plan villa within a golfing community, are you going to choose The Tiger Woods Dubai over another? Or will it come down to cost, cost of flights, facilities, potential rental income from holiday letting. Does the fact that Tiger Woods Inc. has had a hand in design and has been paid for his name mean quality is quarenteed. Or when you get there, will it be full of name droppers, with status anxiety? Its not going to make your handicap any lower you know.

Having said all that, the hotel, the palaces, the residences and the course would do for me thanks.

Jumeirah Golf Estates by Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Peter Dye

Typical of Dubai, this is a Golf Estate, with 4 courses incorporating the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, designed by three well known golfers and a golf course architecht legend.Greg Norman sorted out the Fire and Earth. Sergio Garcia was the new boy to design and was given Wind? Vijay Singh dealt with the Water.I expect all three were pleased to have the design pro 'helping out'

They always have to do it bigger,bolder and better, but the truth is, it often works in Dubai. Its worked so well they have changed the name of the European Order of Merit to 'The Race to Dubai' and moved the European Tour Headquarters to the Fire and Water entrances as well. Apparently, its not about the money, but perhaps the year round training and performance facilities, will enable our European boys to compete with the US Golfers, who afterall, have had the benefits of Florida, Hawaii and Carolina for years. Its a similar flight time, its just that we are moving continent.