1988
The Desert Miracle
That was the name given to Emirates Golf Club,
when it became the first championship all-grass
golf course in the golf region, way back in 1988.
The
brainchild of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Club was built as
an attraction to the growing corporate sector
and the then burgeoning tourist industry. Within
a month of opening the most important regional
golf tournament - the Pan-Arab - was taking
place on the newly named Majlis course.
Designed
by Florida-based course architect Karl Litten,
the original 18 holes were built in and around
the dunes of a beautiful site on the edge of
the city of Dubai, donated by Sheikh Mohamed,
on whose instructions, the desert flora was
maintained, as it is to this day, in its natural
state.
1989
The
club's international recognition was confirmed
in 1989 with the Club's first European Tour
event - the Dubai Desert Classic. Fourteen years
later the tournament reaches hundreds of millions
of TV screens around the world every year, and
most of the world's top players, including Tiger
Woods and Ernie Els, have taken part in what
is now one of the European PGA Tour's top events.
1995
In
1995 the club was voted the Favourite of the
Year by the players of the European Tour, and
in 1996 the second eighteen holes - the Wadi
Course - were completed, bringing Emirates Golf
Club to its current 36-holes.
2003
Today,
Emirates Golf Club maintains its position as
the leading golf club in the region and continues
to meet international standards in every aspect
of its operation.
As
the original "desert course" in the
Middle East, the Majlis remains in many peoples'
minds a miracle - The Desert Miracle.
Emirates
Golf Club has managed to retain the traditional
Arabic warmth of welcome and quality of service,
not just for golfers, but also for all members
and visitors. And the facilities are not restricted
to golf. With superb tennis and squash courts,
an extensive gymnasium, a beautiful swimming
pool, spectacular outlets and shops, the Club
is a haven for sports minded people and casual
visitors alike.
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