Els drives at his new course
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"I've been coming to Dubai since 1993 when there was nothing but a hotel by the airport and we would get bussed to the course and back for the tournament. I've always had a special affinity with the city as it has grown, " said Els.
"This whole project at Dubai Sports City is incredibly exciting - there's nothing else
like it in the world. We felt that we could create a desert-style links and I think that's
exactly what we've achieved."
He said that the greens will mature but the bunkers are already tough as he found with his opening tee shot when unveiling the course on Monday.
Asked where he feels the new course sits in his global designs, he said: "That's for others to judge. You mature as a designer and I genuinely feel that this is a
great course. I am very proud of it and confident it will rank among the best golf courses in the Middle East for many years. It will be a good test for all levels of golfer."
Several holes are inspired by Scottish links, says Els.
"The 9th is a long par-4 which plays downwind in the morning and into wind in the afternoon. The twelfth is inspired by Muirfield and the 16th is great risk or reward driveable par-4. The 17th is the best par-3 and the 18th is a great, par-5 finishing hole."
In line with the global challenge toward renewal energy, the club is testing solar panels to drive golf buggies and has sourced trees and vegetation from sustainable forests or carbon neutral nurseries.
"We've also created wetlands and lakes which will encourage both birds and fish to flourish, " says Els, who added that he's already got the drop on Tiger in terms of course design.
“It seems all the top players have become designers now. A lot of people will buy into the Tiger Woods course [in Dubai] because of his name. But we have something they don't. Ours is complete, they still have to build their course. It's good to be in there first!”
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