Troon Golf announced the official opening of the The Els Club, a new Troon managed facility at Dubai Sports City, the world’s first integrated sports city.
|
|
The Els Club, officially opened by Ernie Els, the world’s No. 5 golfer, is the first sports facility to open in Dubai Sports City and is Ernie’s first step from golf into hospitality. It is being positioned as a truly world class golf experience without parallel in the Middle East. Troon Golf’s appointment at Dubai Sports City project in late 2004 was a significant landmark in Troon Golf’s growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Els, the former British and U.S. Open Champion, played the inaugural round with a whole host of VIP guests and international media. Ernie was joined for a few holes by English cricketer Andrew Flintoff, South Africa’s World Cup winning Rugby Captain John Smit and Manchester United goalkeeping legend, Peter Schmeichel. Ernie then hosted over 200 VIP guests to a traditional South African ‘Braai’ (BBQ) at the Madinat Jumeirah to celebrate the opening of Dubai's newest prestige golf destination.
Set on undulating slopes of native desert vegetation, the prestigious Els Club course stretches 7,538 yards from the back tees. The links style layout combines a traditional classic design with truly immaculate fairways and greens. The Els Club, which opens for both members and the public in March 2008, will set a new benchmark for golf in Dubai. There will be no expense spared on the 60,000 sq ft Mediterranean clubhouse due for completion in December 2008. Guests will have access to a private lounge, state-of-the art meeting and conference facilities and a choice of varied restaurants. Ernie is keen on creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with world-class service.
Only a select number of developments worldwide will bear The Els Club name. They will all benefit from Ernie’s direct input into both the golf and the hospitality. At Dubai Sports City, Els visited the development many times during the design process and he is excited about his latest creation.
“The Els Club will combine the best of all the great clubs that I have played worldwide," he says. "The golf challenge will be second to none. We’ll have great food in our restaurants…and I particularly want the 19th to be special.”
Thomas Rubi, the General Manager of The Els Club, is equally confident of the quality of the golf proposition.
“The Els Club will represent the best in golf," Rubi says. "We’re delighted to be working with a legend of Ernie’s quality in creating this world first. Combined with the Butch Harmon School of Golf, Manchester United Soccer Schools, the David Lloyd Tennis Academy and the ICC Cricket Academy, The Els Club will make Dubai Sports City the destination in the Middle East for sport.”
