Greg Norman Tees Off With Nakheel

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A new golf experience is coming to Dubai, thanks to an agreement between Nakheel and Greg Norman. The World Golf Hall of Fame member will design three courses, thus providing a unique experience for vacationers and residents of Nakheel's residential developments.

Norman met with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel, on the eve of the Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland to sign the contract that will see AED1 billion (U.S.$270 million) invested in the project.

"Greg's experience as a world-class player and designer will help us create an experience that is totally unique to Dubai," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. "Nakheel's aim is always to challenge the norms and existing standards in design wherever they may be and take these benchmarks to new heights. These three courses will take us further along this road and are helping bring our vision for Dubai closer to reality."

Norman, known the world over as The Great White Shark, is one of the most talented and charismatic figures in the game of golf. He has claimed two major championships - the 1986 and 1993 Open Championships - 20 PGA Tour titles and 66 international victories. He was No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for an astounding 331 weeks.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Norman ink the deal to bring 45 holes of championship golf to Dubai.

Greg Norman Golf Course Design was established in 1987 and is recognized as one of the premier signature design groups. The company's portfolio has grown to 48 courses in 15 countries with another 25 in various stages of development.

"I have been a regular visitor to Dubai for nearly two decades, and I have followed the meteoric development and progress very closely," Norman said. "I am very much looking forward to joining Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Nakheel as they help foster Dubai's evolution into a world-class tourist and business destination."

One of Nakheel and Norman's designs will be an 18-hole Signature Course that incorporates the natural movement of the desert. With undulating fairways and a variety of tee placements, the goal is to create a tournament-quality course while maintaining an enjoyable sense of playability for all skill levels. This course will also feature freehold residential property thus allowing for a master planned golfing community.

A second 18-hole course will be a tribute to Norman's career achievements. Having spent nearly three decades traveling the globe and playing the world's finest golf courses, Norman is uniquely qualified to incorporate the design characteristics that have inspired him into one dynamic layout. "The Inspiration" will bring together distinctive features from holes, courses and regions throughout the world.

An additional six-hole par-3 course, "The Little White," will feature a diverse assortment of hole lengths, tee placements and pin positions that cater to juniors, beginners and seasoned veterans alike. It will be a stiff test for one's short game, but at the same time focus on game improvement. One of the goals is to encourage junior golfers to take an interest in the sport, and with top-level instruction available, Nakheel and Norman hope to encourage a new generation of golfers from the UAE.

Nakheel is building the vision of Dubai and is the developer for three of the wonders of the modern world. These include The World and the two Palm Islands, which are being constructed off the coast of the UAE.

"Greg Norman's designs will complement Nakheel's developments and also enhance the international reputation of Dubai as a premier tourist hotspot and commercial hub," Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem concluded.