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. |