95 a different playing angle and bring a large waste bunker into play from the back tee. “The new par-three fourteenth is the shortest hole on the course, but it has an elevated saddled green that slopes to the front and back,” says Quinn. “The further back one plays, the more blind the tee shot is because of a new dune that was built to screen the new thirteenth green. The hole plays into the prevailing wind, so although short, it will be challenging on most days.” With the original seventeenth eliminated, the par-four sixteenth has become the new seventeenth. “This hole was moved to create more development area, but the playing strategy was retained, with the green unaffected,” says Quinn. “The eighteenth was also shifted by 20 metres; however, the design strategy and length have been maintained. Visibility of the lake has been improved from the back tee due to lowering and simplifying the lake edge. “The connection between the final two holes is 170 metres, so a 170-metre-long air-conditioned tunnel will be built below sea level and large enough to accommodate all traffic.” Corey Finn, Viya Golf Abu Dhabi’s director of agronomy, says: “At seventeen, balls used to roll into a big bunker, and you didn’t have any other options. Now, with the new par three, there are more options and players can be creative.” Karl Whitehead, cluster club manager for Viya Golf, adds: “Historically, once you got through hole twelve, the final six were very difficult. Now, with the new fourteenth and seventeenth, there is a bit of respite, and the eighteenth has Photo: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club On the new par-three fourteenth, players need to hit over a new dune to an elevated saddle green that slopes to the front and back “ With the new par three, there are more options and players can be creative”
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