Will three go into one?
The latest big money golf development in Dubai is to involve not one but three highprofile signature designers. Jumeirah Golf Estates' forthcoming Wind course will be billed as a co-design between Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia and Pete Dye. For the 81-year old Dye it will be his first involvement in the booming Middle Eastern golf market.
Scheduled for completion in 2009, Wind joins the Fire and Earth courses – each designed by Greg Norman's firm – and Water, credited as a Vijay Singh signature course. The four courses will be surrounded by a collection of individually designed homes enclosed within a secure gated environment.
Norman said: "I don't know of another project anywhere in the world that has brought together three internationally recognised figures to collaborate on one golf course. Sergio Garcia brings enthusiasm and excitement to this project that is contagious. And working with Pete Dye again is fantastic. There is nobody in the world today that knows more about golf course design." Dye said: "The Dubai desert provides what every golf course designer dreams of – a completely blank canvas on which to work. I've always believed the traditional elements of real golf in Scotland offer the greatest test for golfers and that is what we want to create here. You will see undulating fairways, pot bunkers and protected greens.
We're determined to create a truly memorable experience."