Preferred Lies December 2008

Greatest show on Earth

Countdown begins to golf’s richest tournament

There’s now less than a year to go before the first shot is hit in the the world’s richest golf tournament – the Dubai World Championship being staged at the Greg Norman designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The event will be the thrilling climax of The Race to Dubai – the season-long European Tour competition which replaces the Order of Merit championship.

And with a $10 million prize fund on offer, as well as another $10 million kitty for the Race to Dubai, the world’s leading players will descend on Dubai on November 19, 2009 to chase the richest purse in the history of the game.

To add to the excitement, they will do it on a course that has never been played before.

But with 11 months to go, the Earth course is already fully grassed and being conditioned to the world-beating standards demanded for such prestigious tournament.

Alan Rogers, group CEO of Leisurecorp, the owner and developer of Jumeirah Golf Estates, points out that this is the first time ever that a golf course has been developed specifically to meet the deadline of a world class tournament “We know that the players will be the harshest critics,” he says. “And with almost a year still to go, 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.”

The top 60 players on the European Tour at the end of the 2008-09 season will battle it out to win the richest prize in golf on Norman’s Earth course.

For the Race to Dubai, players will be ranked during the season according to their earnings on the European Tour International Schedule, including European Tour tournaments, Majors, and World Golf Championship events.

The top-ranked 60 in the Race to Dubai when only one event remains will qualify to compete in the season’s finale – the Dubai World Championship.

The top 15 in the Race to Dubai after the Dubai World Championship will share the $10 million bonus pool, with the No 1 player collecting $2 million, the runner-up $1.5 million and the third-placed player $1 million, with prizes down to 15th spot which will earn $250,000.
With a $10 million purse for the Dubai World Championship alone, there is real opportunity for the leading Race to Dubai positions to change over the course of the closing tournament.

And if the winner of the Dubai World Championship is also the leader of the Race to Dubai at the end of the season he will claim a total prize of $ 3.6 million. Holing tap-ins over the closing holes will never be more nerve-wracking – even for the seasoned professionals.
To qualify for the Dubai World Championship, players must play a minimum of 12 tournaments in the Race to Dubai (the Dubai World Championship counts as one). At least two of these tournaments must be played in Europe,

The first shot in the Dubai World Championship will also be the first shot to be hit at the Earth course and will signal the official opening of Jumeirah Golf Estates which Rogers describes as ”the most anticipated golf course development on the planet”.

He’s not exaggerating when he adds: “The golfing world is talking about the development and it is our responsibility to deliver a world leading experience. With the inaugural Race to Dubai, the Dubai World Championship, and first handover of properties on Earth and sister course Fire, 2009 will be a landmark year for Jumeirah Golf Estates, Leisurecorp and the great sport of golf.”

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 commencing on the definition of tournament grass lines.

During 2009, intensive maintenance will continue to ensure the course is in pristine condition, while installation of bunker sand will also begin in the new year. The Norman Clubhouse, a 131,000 square foot stunning centre-piece which will host the majority of social activities during the Dubai World Championship, is well under way, with the concrete structure due to be completed by the end of 2008.

Talking of his own favourite project, golfing legend and Earth course designer Greg Norman, said: “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.

“With just a year to go to the Dubai World Championship, the Earth course I conceived almost four years ago is rapidly taking shape and is looking more championship-worthy each day. I am absolutely delighted with the way Leisurecorp and the team at Jumeirah Golf Estates has realised the vision I had for Earth, which will provide the world’s best with a true challenge and a fitting climax to the Race to Dubai.”

David Spencer, CEO, golf at Leisurecorp, describes the Earth course as “a tribute to Greg’s attention to detail and the enthusiasm and expertise of the internationally assembled construction team.
“In my many years of working in the industry, I have never seen a golf course at so advanced a stage ahead of its opening. While continuing to work on the ongoing preparation of the course, this allows us to focus on the creation of a spectacular tournament experience.

“It is our aim to make the Dubai World Championship one of the events on the Dubai sporting calendar. We will cater for golf fans and those new to the sport alike, with an aim being to introduce new people to this great game. Over the next year, you will be hearing a lot about the tournament and I am sure that on November 19, 2009, when the eyes of the golf world will be on Dubai, you will see something truly special.”

Earth Course highlights

After a challenging first three holes, the front nine’s magical stretch starts from the downhill 253 yard par 3, 4th Hole, moving on to the 5th Hole played uphill, requiring both tee shot and approach to be threaded through myriad bunkers.

The par 3, 6th Hole is played over water to the largest green on the golf course. And the 7th Hole, a classic par 5 that requires the best of playing strategies and an even greater necessity of execution, is sure to leave the most skilled player battling to maintain par.

Following a varied and complex middle stretch between the 8th and 14th, the players will arrive at the final four holes which make up what Greg Norman calls “the most challenging mile in golf”. This comprises a short, beautifully bunkered par 4; a thinking player’s long par 4 played to a tantalising and heavily contoured green sat on the edge of a lake; a showstopper of a par 3 across water to an island green; and a closing par 5 played uphill, generally into the prevailing wind, with a stream bisecting the fairway. The opportunity for a two or three shot swing over the closing stretch will cater to the best players and will be a defining moment for spectators and the television audience alike.

EARTH MADE EASY (IF YOU'RE GREG NORMAN!)

What better advice on how tackle the closing holes of the Earth course than from the master himself... 'Great White Shark' Greg Norman who has impressed his unmistakable signature on the design and construction of a course that is destined to join the ranks of the world's great golfing challenges.

He says: “I expect the 'final four' to be considered one of the most challenging and exciting miles of golf, in terms of risk and reward. Comprising a short par 4, long par 4, a great par 3 and a medium to long par 5, a lot of things can happen on the home stretch. There could be a two or three shot swing which will cater to the best players, providing spectators and the television audience with a gripping finale to the Dubai World Championship.”

Here's Gregs guide to what shapes to be Dubai's very own 'Amen Corner'...

Hole 15

This short par four is the beginning of a fantastic final stretch. With a slight dog-leg left back uphill, its nothing but risk and reward. A massive low attracts everything to the left of the fairway which pushes up right under the green. This tee shot has to be played to the left to get the best reward. The safety shot to follow means playing over the low area into a green that slopes away towards a deep low.

Hole 16

Significantly longer than the previous hole, this is a dog-leg right played over a falaj to a broad fairway that slopes away from the tee and will carry the long drive further. The large lake to which the fairway slopes influences the entire fairway right up to the green.

Again, a high risk shot will give you the most reward onto the green. You will need to watch out for the waterfall that links the two lakes.

Hole 17

A fantastic, but precise short par three. This iconic hole is a true island green. Club selection is crucial for this hole. Wind from any direction will make this very difficult with the tight island green surrounded by a selection of bunkers offering the green the maximum protection. If you’re lucky a stray shot will only find the bunkers, further misdirection will leave you wet for sure.

Hole 18

A long par five hole to finish with water off the tee right and a creek right at the landing area. Bunkers sit short right and left of the tee shot. A second can be played either directly towards the green or up the left, as a falaj splits the fairway in two for its entire length.

Although more risk involved, the shot played right is narrower but opens up the green for approach, whereas the shot played left is easier but brings into play a large group of dangerous bunkers. The green is raised and uphill from the fairway with the falaj off to the left. A true challenge for the ultimate finale.