"Golf’s Dream Team Blows into Dubai"
/I would insert pithy jokes into this press release, but why when it so masterfully does the job all on its own:
Golf’s Dream Team Blows into Dubai
“El Nino” unveiled as designer of Wind course at Jumeirah Golf Estates
Garcia to work in unique collaboration with Greg Norman and ‘father of modern golf course design’ Pete Dye
Fourth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to take inspiration from the earliest traditions of golf – creating Dubai’s first links-style course
Dubai, UAE: Sergio Garcia was today unveiled as one of the designers of the fourth course – Wind – at Dubai’s premier residential golf community development, Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Garcia is to work on the design of Dubai’s first links-style course, taking its inspiration from the earliest forms of golf, in which uneven fairways, thick rough, small greens and pot bunkers create an exciting golfing challenge – which is then made even more memorable by the swirling patterns
of the wind.
In a world first, “El Nino” – so named because of the energy and dynamism of his game - will be joined by two of the world’s leading golf course designers in creating the Wind course.
Huh, and here I was thinking it had something to do with him being Spanish! Oh wait, I said I wasn't going to interrupt. Sorry.
Greg Norman, one of the world’s most successful player-turned-designers, has signature courses around the world. Already working on the Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Norman will work closely with Garcia in creating the Wind design.
And in his first project in the Middle East, Pete Dye – known as “the father of modern golf course design” – is to collaborate with Norman and Garcia on the project.
David Spencer, chief executive officer of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said:
“We promised something special for Wind and we’re definitely delivering it.
“Garcia is one of the most exciting raw talents in golf today. The excitement and raw energy he brings to the game will be balanced by the maturity and sophistication of Norman and Dye.
Key word here, raw.
“No course in the world has been able to bring together three such major talents. This is a truly unique collaboration.
“Wind is without a doubt going to become one of the most stunning courses
in world golf. It will be a natural work of art – a masterpiece.”
A natural work of art completely manufactured out of desert. Uh huh. Just like Joan Rivers's is a natural work of art.
Scheduled for completion in 2009, Wind joins Fire and Earth – each designed by Greg Norman – and Water, designed by Vijay Singh, in creating one of the world’s leading golf developments.
And on a side note, Philip Bayley will be joining Vijay on the Water Course design, and to return the favor, Vijay in turn will be on backing vocals for Earth, Wind and Fire's joint billing with the Credence Clearwater Revisited this summer at the Fort Lauderdale Center For The Performing Arts and Fair Grounds.
Sergio Garcia said: “I love the demands of links golf. A great links-style course means it is both a physical challenge and a mental test – and offers the most enjoyable golf there is. That’s exactly what we want to create with Wind at Jumeirah Golf Estates."
It almost reads like he wrote that himself.
“I’m really excited to be working with Pete Dye and with Greg Norman on the design. I cannot think of a more experienced and successful pair of golf course designers in the world today.
Oh I can.
Odds that Sergio has ever met Pete Dye?
Greg Norman said: “I don’t know of another project anywhere in the world that has brought together three internationally recognized figures to collaborate on one golf course. Sergio Garcia brings enthusiasm and excitement to this project that is contagious. I'm looking forward to keeping him away from my daughter during his two contractually obligated site visits.
Oh wait, that last sentence shouldn't have gotten in there!
"And working with Pete Dye again is fantastic. There is nobody in the world today that knows more about golf course design – especially links golf.
Pete Dye was champion golfer in his own right, before turning to golf course design nearly 50 years ago. Heavily influenced by his early trips to Scotland, the home of golf, Dye’s designs have established new levels of quality and challenge for golfers over the last four-plus decades. Wind marks his first project in the Middle East and his first collaboration with Garcia.
Pete Dye said: “The Dubai desert provides what every golf course designer dreams of – a completely blank canvas on which to work.
Well, not every designer.
"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 the undulating fairways, pot bunkers and protected greens that you’ll find in all the best links courses. We’re determined to create a truly memorable experience.”
Oh yeah, Pete said that!
