Thomson Perrett & Lobb (TPL), the golf course design practice founded by five-times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has announced it is to create a family-friendly, resort-style golf course on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The 18-hole design, which will offer panoramic vistas of the Red Sea from every hole, will be at the heart of a new community at the exclusive holiday resort destination of Soma Bay, situated 20 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, and 80 miles from the ancient city of Luxor.
The new TPL-designed course will embrace the area’s natural desert landscape, whilst preserving the indigenous flora and fauna of the region, and will occupy a slightly elevated hillside position, approximately 30 metres above sea level. It forms part of a new hotel and residential conceptual masterplan created in conjunction with international architects, Gensler.
The Soma Bay Resort, a luxury resort-style village, is a popular destination for visitors from the UK and mainland Europe. Located on its namesake peninsula just outside Hurghada, the resort boasts five luxury hotels operated by globally recognised brands including Kempinski, Sheraton and Robinson Club.
It also features a world-famous spa, the Cascades Spa & Thalasso Somabay, and offers guests a host of sporting activities, including diving, kite surfing and sailing. Soma Bay is also already home to a Gary Player designed 18-hole championship golf course, which opened for play in 1998.
TPL principal and golf course architect, Tim Lobb, commented: “The Soma Bay peninsula is a stunning location, surrounded on all sides by the Red Sea, and our goal is to create a golf course that focuses on strategic and fun play, has family-friendly options and is accessible to all’.
“The design process has already commenced, and we hope to begin construction next year. The existing Gary Player design has received significant critical acclaim since opening, and we look forward to creating a very different, but complimentary, golfing challenge for future visitors to Soma Bay to enjoy.”
Lara Iskander, Director of Development, Soma Bay, added: “Thomson Perrett & Lobb has a strong, and growing, international pedigree in the golf course design sector and we look forward to working with Tim and his team to create a world-class, enjoyable and memorable golf experience for our guests.
“TPL’s vision to design a golf course that appeals to families and holidaymakers, and also marries perfectly with the Soma Bay environment, were key considerations when selecting our design partner. We are confident the new course will significantly enhance our extensive leisure facilities.”
For further information about the Soma Bay project and other TPL projects around the world, including its other Egypt course design on hills overlooking the Pyramids at New Giza and at El Ein Bay on the Red Sea, visit the company’s website at www.tpl.eu.com
Soma Bay www.somabay.com
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