Greatest Show On Earth - The Countdown Begins

Greg Norman's Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates prepares for the Dubai World Championship

In under a year's time, the first shot will be taken in the Dubai World Championship, the thrilling crescendo to the inaugural season-long Race to Dubai.

With $10 million up for grabs, in addition to the $10 million prize fund of The Race to Dubai (the winner and runners up ofwhich are likely to be decided in the final tournament), the world's leading players will descend on Dubai in November 2009to battle it out at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

What prize money just can't buy, however, is the thrill of playing on a course that has never before been played on, in a Championship that has never before been played. When the first shot is hit, itwill not only open the first Dubai World Championship, but will also be the first competitive shot to be played on Earth and will signal the official opening of Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"It's the most anticipated golf course development on the planet," says Abdul Wahid Al Ulama, Vice-Chairman ofLeisurecorp, the owner and developer ofJumeirah Golf Estates and partner with The European Tour in creating The Race to Dubai. "The golfing world is talking about the development and it is our responsibility to deliver a world leading experience."

By the time the Dubai Desert Classic starts, there will be 1,410,816 yards to the Dubai World Championship.

This is the first time ever that a golf course has been developed to the deadline of a world class tournament and with the course already fully grassed and looking spectacular, Al Ulama is confident tha tEarth will impress the world class players, often the 'harshest critics', who will descend upon it in November 2009.

"The course is already looking spectacular, which allows us to focus on bringing it up to the most pristine of standards and ensuring an incredible experience for players and spectators alike. Last year we hosted the South African Open at Pearl Valley Golf Estates and focused on making improvements on every single aspect - from the experience of the players, to that of the spectators and the media. We will take everything we learnt from that and keep striving to improve throughout the year in each tournament we stage, host, or create - The European Open, The Open at Turnberry and the Dubai World Championship. The challenge we have set ourselves is to create the ultimate golf tournament experience - it's a tough challenge but one that we will meet."

His confidence is shared by golfing legend and Earth course designer Norman, who has seen the course develop from concept to reality.

"The course is looking sensational, the detailed features applied to the course, whether it be the bunkering, lush vegetation or fast flowing water ways, will be a key aspect, not only in how the course will challenge the players, but also in the aesthetics of the course," Norman said.

"With the Dubai World Championship just around the corner, the Earth course I conceived almost four years ago is rapidly taking shape and is looking more Championship worthy each day - the course will provide the world's best with a true challenge and a fitting climax to The Race to Dubai."

The Earth course was fully grassed in April 2008, giving it two full seasons to mature before the tournament. Landscaping is continuing with all 18 holes now well defined, and work has started on the definition of tournament grass lines. For the next ten months intensive maintenance will continue to ensure the course is in pristine condition.

Central to the tournament experience will be the Norman Clubhouse, a 131,000 square foot stunning centre-piece which will host the majority of social activities during the Dubai World Championship. It was recently announced that Jamie Oliver will create his first restaurant in Dubai as the centerpiece of the Norman Clubhouse, adding to the venue's status as a destinationin its own right.

"We have a hugely exciting year ahead and Leisurecorp is focusing all of its attention on making the Dubai World Championship one of the leading events on the Dubai sporting calendar," said David Spencer, CEO - Golf at Leisurecorp. "To do that, we need to cater for golf fans and those new to the sport alike, with an aim being to introduce new people to this great game.

"In the first year the aim is to attract 40,000 people over the four days of the tournament. Primary audiences obviously include golfers in Dubai; social, professional and people working in the industry; corporate bodies and international non-golf tourists in Dubai. But to reach our target we also want to attract people who have never been to a golf tournament before, including youngsters and families."

Early plans for the Dubai World Championship include the provision of spectacular player and media experiences, enhancing the experiences that other tournaments provide, and the creation of world class spectator facilities, including a major championship village, a variety of viewing galleries and grandstands, in addition to the facilities which the Norman Clubhouse will provide.

"During this year you will be hearing alot about the Dubai World Championship and I am sure that on November 19th, when the eyes of the golf world fall on Dubai, you will see something truly special," Spencer said.