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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