Peter Thomson, five-time British Open Champion and principal of Thomson Perrett and Lobb Golf Course Architects, has signed an agreement in St Andrews with UAE based Al Qudra Real Estate, to design the company’s first signature golf course in the Middle East.
Thomson Perrett & Lobb will design a traditional, classic style championship golf course at Ain Al Emarat, an award-winning residential and leisure development being built near Al Ain, the second city of the Abu Dhabi Emirate and known as ‘The Garden City of the Gulf.’
Peter Thomson said, “The growth of golf in the Middle East has been phenomenal and TPL is honoured to contribute to the growth of the sport in the region by creating a unique, traditional style course in a groundbreaking city that will set international benchmarks for sustainability, healthy living and sporting opportunity.”
In a ceremony held at The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews overlooking the world famous ‘Road Hole,’ Peter Thomson signed an agreement with Mr Victor E.J. Orth Jr, CEO and general manager of Al Qudra Real Estate – a subsidiary of Al Qudra Holding – for the design of the golf course, which is set to be a major attraction for residents and visitors at Ain Al Emarat.
Victor E.J. Orth Jr, said, “TPL has a commitment to excellence in golf course design that mirrors our corporate ethos and we look forward to creating a golf course that will thrill the residents of the UAE and its international golfing visitors.”
TPL has joined forces with global architectural practice HOK, creators of the new Wembley and Emirates stadia in London, to design the golf course as part of this groundbreaking city.
Plans for the residential and sporting development have already won a prestigious award. HOK won the award for ‘Best Masterplan’ at the recent Building Exchange Awards 2007, held in Valencia, Spain in June. The award recognised HOK’s success in creating a sustainable, innovative design in collaboration with key partners, in particular Thomson Perrett & Lobb.
The TPL golf course will act as a centrepiece for the development alongside a landmark 40,000-seat indoor sports and entertainment arena, which will be built to the same standard as HOK’s acclaimed Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club.
The championship golf course will harness natural topography, including rolling sand hills and views to the nearby mountains, as well as benefiting from TPL’s expertise in sustainable golf course design. The use of recycled effluent will reduce water requirements and will be offset by minimal use of excess turf to keep the golf course in harmony with its natural desert environment.
Al Qudra Real Estate is the successful real estate division of Al Qudra Holding, an important strategic partner for organisations looking for investment opportunities in the UAE.
Thomson Perrett & Lobb www.tpl.eu.com