Sanctuary Falls with Greg Norman; The Arabian Golf Development Property Award Winner

The results are in, but did you see how you apply for these competitions? Whoever pulls together the file for the golf projects entry requirements for this competition deserves a medal too. There is a fee to enter but the organisers of the Arabian Property Awards believe that 'the award can prove invaluable as a promotional tool for your company. The banner, complete with sponsor's name, can be used in all your sales literature and public relations material.' And they never let on who has entered; only those who have been successful.This all seems a bit cosy but it just proves that the promise of a logo to add to your brochure, a photo of a smiling premiership footballer or the link to the name of an old pro is reassuring to the public and must be worth paying for, or else why do it?

Sanctuary Falls in Dubai's Jumierah Golf estates has won the overall prize, an the pro designer this time is of course,good old Greg Norman. They have got Tiger Woods on board in Dubai as well and having taken over the old order of merit, as the race to Dubai it feels like Dubai is cleaning up.But the Normans are also cleaning up because the resort also hosts the Chris Evert Tennis Centre. It is said that former world no.1 ace tennis star will work closely with designers? To do what exactly? Chose the grade of the cement?

Golfing holidays in Dubai are part of any self respecting premiership footballers year and the luxury resorts built around these courses are part of the property portfolios any well paid sports enthusiat. I was recently at an overseas property show where Michael Owen, Freddie Flintoff and Sam Torrence were all grinning at me from the same Dubai Property for Sale stall. No claims of taking part in the design of these great apartment towers though. Just the bank balance to buy.

Mission Hills, Shenzhen and Dongguan, China

You've seen the Olympic birds nest stadium. You've seen the Great Wall. Well now we have Mission Hills, near Hong Kong. This place has 12 courses, designed by 12 'world renowned golf legends'. they are Niklaus, Norman, Annika, Els, Vijay (1st name terms?)Faldo,Olazabal, Duval,Ozaki, Leadbetter, Pete Dye and Zhang Lianwei (need both names?)

Theres night Golf, Beach bunkers, Jungle, Mountain peaks rock walls and the worlds toughest island green. Nick Faldo's course is to be Asia's premier tournament course. The Ernie Els course looks a bit like South Africa? What is that all about? Surely when you go to China you want to see China? The other day I noticed a Dubai Course was designed with a Mediterranean theme. Surely theres enough culture, style and identity in Dubai and China to keep their courses looking like the country they are in? Are there any south China Sea courses in the Algarve?

I must add that Olazabal has at least made a study of Golf Course design while out of action, confined to a wheelchair in from 1994. I wonder if you can tell the difference when you play it. Let me Know.

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.