Caesarea Golf Club, the only 18 hole course in Israel, has now re-opened for play. The 1961 course was completely replaced by the Pete Dye designed routing which plays at 6,543 metres off the back tees and 4,797 off the front.
Pete Dye had not been active in the European basin since 1987. He was attracted by the invitation to "build a course for a country". Tim Liddy was Dye‘s Design Associate.
The golf-unfriendly kikuyu grass has been replaced by a variety of paspalum which not only diminishes the amount of irrigation needed but can be sustained with brackish water, an important bonus in a country where every drop counts.
The course is strategic but not penal as the architect wished to welcome golfers with a playable course rather than pose too many hazards which might have detracted from the enjoyment of the game in this young market.
The official inauguration will take place in July when Pete Dye will make a return visit. The Maccabiah Games will be hosted later in July.
Consultants to the Caesarea Development Corporation are Colin Hegarty of the Golf Research Group and Richard Wax of Golf Surveys Ltd.
Caesarea Golf Club www.caesarea.com
Pete Dye www.dyedesigns.com/pete.html