Oman’s first 18-hole grass golf course, Muscat Hills, which first opened in 2009, but closed in 2020, is to reopen later this year as part of a major new real estate development called La Vie.
Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club has been renamed La Vie Club, and will be part of the first phase of the opening of the new-look resort. The course will be managed by Troon Golf, which recently opened up the desert-style layout for preview play.
The property under the brand of LA VIE, is being developed by Oman Real Estate Investment Services LLC (ORIS), the real estate arm of Oman International Development and Investment Company SAOG (ominvest), one of the highly successful and largest listed investment companies in the region.
Commenting on the reopening, La Vie Club Operations Manager Freddie Rexstrew said: “We are very excited to re-establish the club as one of the premier golf facilities within the region serving golfers, the community and growing the game of golf in Oman. We will be delivering the Troon Experience and are focused on being a fun and family friendly club.”
La Vie Club already boasts the first TopTracer Range in Oman, the #1 range technology in the world, with game modules suited for all ages and ability levels. Additionally, a community calendar of events has been created including FootGolf and cycling around the course.
In the future, the La Vie project will boast residential, commercial and tourism buildings, including an 80-room boutique hotel and a spa.
Touching on the project’s objective, Nasser Rashid Al Shibli, Chief Real Estate Officer at OMINVEST, said, “Through this project, OMINVEST aims to support the Sultanate’s efforts in enhancing the role of tourism and sports sector in the diversification of the country’s economy. La Vie will be a valuable addition to the sector’s infrastructure, attracting top brands in tourism and sports from around the world to operate its various facilities. It will also provide several job opportunities for Omani nationals, which aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. As an enabling body, OMINVEST is committed to realizing this vision in a way that meets everyone’s aspirations.”
Troon International’s Senior Vice-President DJ Flanders commented: “Troon is delighted to reopen the course and look forward to bringing the Troon Golf standards to La Vie and the city of Muscat. Towards the end of this year, golfers will experience superior guest service, the finest playing surfaces and outstanding amenities. The new clubhouse, a summer of cultural practices with the new machinery, will enhance La Vie Club and make the club a focal point of not only the community but also of Muscat. We would like to extend our thanks and congratulations to our ownership OMINVEST and look forward to playing a central part of this exciting project.”
Located between the mountains and the sea, La Vie Club is a 10-minute drive from Muscat International Airport. The par-72, 18-hole golf course was originally designed by Paul Thomas from David Thomas Associated Ltd.