-Majlis Course ranked as the leading course in the Middle East by Golf World-
Dubai – (16th June 2010): The Majlis Golf Course at the Emirates Golf Club (EGC), the UAE’s premier golfing destination, has been officially ranked amongst the ‘World’s Top 100’ golf courses by internationally acclaimed golf magazine ‘Golf World’.
The home of the European PGA Tour’s legendary ‘Dubai Desert Classic’ is the highest ranked course from the Middle East to feature amongst the world’s finest courses by ‘Golf World’, confirming its position at the forefront of golf regionally and globally.
This latest accolade adds to a long list of prestigious awards the club has claimed since its introduction as the first grass course in the region in 1988 through the inspired vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“Over the years the Emirates Golf Club has received many awards by continually setting the standard for golf in the region. It has without doubt developed into an iconic sporting venue recognised globally and celebrated locally as a much loved symbol of Dubai,” commented Chris May, General Manager, Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
“However, to be officially recognised amongst the very best courses in the world by an independent panel of experts is very special. We are rightly proud of this achievement but it has only been possible due to the foresight, commitment and tireless efforts of those associated with the Emirates Golf Club over many years. As a direct result Dubai is clearly on the golfing map as a truly world-class golfing destination”, he continued.
The rankings produced by ‘Golf World’ are amongst the most respected lists compiled having previously completed the ‘Top 100 courses in Great Britain & Ireland’ (2008) and the ‘Top 100 courses in Continental Europe’. Now for the first time using the largest independent panel assembled for such a ranking, experts from all corners of the world have considered the merits of the very best courses, judging upon design, conditioning, history, memorability and reputation.
“I believe there can be no greater endorsement than to gain the respect of those from within the industry as this ranking has proved. Our position challenging amongst the very best only goes to prove that our constant pursuit of the very highest standards across golf, recreation and hospitality has been globally recognised and we are looking forward to an even brighter future.” stated May.
Steeped in history having warmly welcomed true legends of the game such as Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Ernie Els, Seve Ballesteros, Rory McIlroy and Annika Sorenstam, as host of the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Ladies Masters, the 7185 yard par 72, Karl Litten designed championship Majlis Course, affectionately known as ‘The Desert Miracle’, has matured into a modern day classic. With its distinctive natural features and rolling desert terrain, the course has been long admired and loved by the world’s best players, visitors and local members. Yet a range of subtle upgrades have recently been proposed for the Majlis Course as May explained;
“In the summer of 2011 we plan to introduce a new fully automated irrigation system to reduce water consumption, new and renovated bunkering, additional landscaping and an extension of the cart path. Our intent is not to significantly alter the course layout but to enhance existing features, ensuring the course stands the test of time and remain a fitting challenge for the modern golfer in the years to come.”
The significant investments which also include extensive enhancements to the Faldo course and the Academy have only been made possible due to continued support and expertise of the Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) who assumed complete responsibility for the management of Dubai Golf in early 2009 through subsidiary, wasl as the direct parent company of Dubai Golf LLC.
-ENDS-
For More Information please Contact:
Stephen Reid
Hill & Knowlton
Mobile: +971 509201227
Email: Stephen.Reid@hillandknowlton.com
Nabeela Nasser Sait
Dubai Golf
Senior Corporate Communications Executive
Mobile: 04-3801-919
E-mail: nsait@dubaigolf.com
Notes to Editor
About ‘wasl LLC’
wasl LLC, an asset management group, was established by Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) to manage its operations. The group currently encompasses three subsidiaries including wasl Properties, wasl Hospitality and Dubai Golf to overlook its operations in various real estate and business sectors.
Established to strengthen Dubai’s success and to actively secure its growth objectives for the future, wasl LLC pursues a vision ‘to value and be valued by our stakeholders’. It aims to achieve this by creating a legacy of trust and respect, by acting responsibly, and as a platform for innovation in asset management.
wasl Hospitality’s portfolio comprises seven hotels managed by Starwoods and Hyatt Group with over 1,200 rooms, delivering unprecedented experience to businessmen, tourists and visitors. Dubai Golf, another active subsidiary under wasl LLC manages three world-renowned golf courses including two championships courses at the Emirates Golf Club, ‘The Majlis’ and ‘The Faldo’ – and the championship course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
About Dubai Golf:
Dubai Golf, with its world-class golf courses and luxurious clubhouses, harbours some of the most spectacular locations for golf, events and entertainment in the Gulf. Dubai Golf’s portfolio consists of the 2 most established golf resorts in the Middle East ~ Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Dubai Golf manages an online tee time booking system for its 3 golf courses as well as servicing a central reservations office that books golf at all the UAE golf courses.
About Emirates Golf Club:
Emirates Golf Club, host of the European Tour sanctioned Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai Ladies Masters, was the first all-grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. Taking pride in its 36 holes of world-class golf, the Club sports 2 of the city’s finest must-see courses; the 7301 yard par 72 Majlis course and the recently redesigned 7348 yard par 73 Faldo course. Both courses combine the natural rolling desert terrain for serious test of golf, while the signature clubhouse, in the shape of Bedouin tents, remains the most eye-catching in the region. The Majlis course has garnered numerous accolades over its 21 year history, the most recent of which included the 2010 ranking by Golf World featuring as ‘One of the world’s Top 100 courses’ and the 2009 ranking by Golf Digest as one of the ‘100 Best Courses Outside the USA’
