Qatar International Golf Club – The New Yardstick For Desert Golf Design.

It has taken nearly 20 years but Qatar will have only a second golf course when the Qatar International Golf Club opens later this year.

And unlike many other new golf courses around the world, the Qatar International Golf Club will be unique and not for the sheer size of the work being undertaken at Education City.

I still remember vividly reporting in 1999 the second, and what is now annual, Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club that had opened two years earlier on the then very outskirts of the Qatar capital.

20160129_092806-1Of course, there had been talk of building a second course in Doha but it was not till the last few years word spread that double Masters winning Jose Maria Olazabal had been handed the reins to design a new course before plans were officially unveiled early in November last year.

Thanks to Ed Edwards, General Manager at the Qatar International Golf Club, I was fortunate to inspect this very revolutionary golfing complex during the recent Qatar Masters.

As I mentioned to Ed, I have had the privilege to inspect many new golf courses including seeing a site long before any sod had  been turned however I don’t believe I have witnessed a new golf course development boasting such a vision of the work being undertaken at Qatar International Golf Club as it is simply awe-inspiring.

From the research and planning that has already been devoted to the project including minor points such as arranging for the transportation of material not being used at the nearby 2022 World Cup site and being employed in shaping fairways, and to the importing of sand from Saudi Arabia to be used in the bunkers.

Falcon-eye view of the Qatar International Golf Club.

Falcon-eye view of the Qatar International Golf Club.

The vision gets underway with course designer Jose Maria Olazabal (centre) and his business partner Sergio Gomez (right) inspecting the site with Ed Edwards, the General Manager at the Qatar International Golf Club.

The vision gets underway with course designer Jose Maria Olazabal (centre) and his business partner Sergio Gomez (right) inspecting the site.

Work begins on the Qatar International Golf Club site and only the second golf course to be built in Qatar.

Work begins on the Qatar International Golf Club site and only the second golf course to be built in Qatar.

As well, there is very hands on work being undertaken, and in consultation with the relevant Qatar Government heritage authority, to protect an ancient wall that runs through the course.  However this work is not about leaving the wall untouched but in many ways ‘bringing back to life’ a structure that for centuries that has been continually being buried by the drifting desert sands.

On this inspection I was first shown a soil profile of the working area that first greeted the developers but then there is a similar soil profile of how the finished product will look.

And Ed, in another example of his pride in the project, highlighted the club’s delight in being able to secure a vast amount of trees located in a different area of Doha that were destined to be destroyed and that now have been planted all about the complex.

“Qatar International Golf Club is a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf,” said Edwards.

Ed Edwards, General Manager, Qatar International Golf Club. (Photo - www.golfbgytourmiss.com)

Ed Edwards, General Manager, Qatar International Golf Club & in the foreground is an ancient wall that the club is bringing ‘back to life’. (Photo – www.golfbgytourmiss.com)

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Working on the tee off areas at the Qatar International Golf Club.

“The facility has the opportunity to revolutionise the way golf is taught and enjoyed, we hope to encourage greater participation in the sport amongst the local community and our hope is that this system will provide a blue-print for growing levels of golf participation globally. The course itself is based on solid foundations of science and research and will see it become truly world-leading in terms of both social and environmental sustainability. I’ve no doubt Qatar International Golf Club will be at the forefront of developing every aspect of the sport and inspire future generations, especially in Qatar.

“Our vision is simple ‘to create a place where everyone can be a ‘golfer’. We believe that can be achieved by offering new formats of the game which are fun and exciting regardless of ability. We’ve carefully studied the game, listened to the experts in the industry and development relationships with like-minded partners to ensure this facility responds to the challenges golf faces and grasps the opportunities that exist now and in the future.

Safety is key is clearly important at the site of the Qatar International Golf Club,

Safety is key is clearly important at the site of the Qatar International Golf Club.

Part of the massive construction work going on at the Qatar International Golf Club.

Part of the massive construction work going on at the Qatar International Golf Club.

“So with golf returning to the Olympics later this year, growing interest in Qatar and other emerging markets the game has so much to look forward to especially with this project. It really will be a game changer.

“I believe long term growth in golf can only happen if we make the game easily accessible and fun for the kids and that lies at the heart of Qatar International Golf Club. The location of the club will impress even the most sophisticated golf traveller, being set within Education City, Doha’s spectacular university and science community. In the design we wanted to pay respect to this unique Centre of Excellence and therefore we give prominence to teaching and training right in the centre of the golf club.

“The 18-hole championship course is designed to embrace the natural landscape and strategically blends in a dry riverbed (wadi) and ancient rock walls to offer a unique Qatari experience.”

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Various tees on the left with the green in the distance at the ?? hole at the Qatar International Golf Club.

Ed Edwards, General Manager at Qatar International Golf Club pointing out to Eoin Clarke features of the course.

Ed Edwards, General Manager at Qatar International Golf Club pointing out to Eoin Clarke features of the course. Note the construction of tees in the background.

Construction of one of the greens at Qatar International Golf Club.

Construction of one of the greens at Qatar International Golf Club.

Protecting and also enhancing the heritage to be found at the Qatar International Golf Club course in Doha.

Protecting and also enhancing the heritage to be found at the Qatar International Golf Club course in Doha.

The championship course will measure a 7,161 yards off the back tees,

Among the special features at Qatar International Golf club, and in what must be a first in golf course designs, will be a 6-hole championship course for those who don’t have the time to play the full 18-hole layout.

“The layout of the 6-hole championship course was designed to reach out to people, especially the young, to try the game ‘proper’ after they are ready to progress from the range and the par-3 course but perhaps aren’t quite yet prepared to graduate to the championship course.,” said Olazabal.

“And we hope it will encourage inactive golfers to start playing regularly again. All six holes are of tournament standard and they can be played in less than 90 minutes. So they offer time-pressed golfers a tremendous alternative to the 18-hole course. Families in particular will be delighted as we included not just one but two kids´ tees on these holes, giving a total of seven different tee boxes.

An overview of the new Qatar International Golf Club and how it will look when completed later this year.

An overview of the new Qatar International Golf Club and how it will look when completed later this year.

What promises to be a stunning desert golf course - Qatar International Golf Club.

What promises to be a stunning desert golf course – Qatar International Golf Club.

“The long term growth in golf can only happen if we make the game easily accessible and fun for the kids and that lies at the heart of Qatar International Golf Club.”

Qatar’s second only golf course also will boast a state-of-the-art driving range, a modern instructional centre, and a floodlit 9-hole par-three course.

On top of attracting more youngsters to take up the ancient game, the club will break new ground around the world when it comes to golf course design in building “female-centric practice facilities” that appeal to Muslim women while respecting “local culture and traditions”

And everything ‘on course’ will be spectacularly complimented by a stunning hotel, pool, spa, a shopping centre and assorted family-friendly diversions.

The 18th hole leading the to stunning clubhouse at Qatar International Golf Club.

The 18th hole leading the to stunning clubhouse at Qatar International Golf Club.

The proposed 9-hole floodlit course at Qatar International Golf Club.

The proposed 9-hole floodlit course measuring 2,123 yards at Qatar International Golf Club.

All this will play out in what has been depicted as an eco-friendly setting, designed in step with guidelines from Golf Environment Organization, an international outfit that lays out sustainability standards for the golf industry.

It’s a pity that Qatar has had to wait some 20 years for a doubling in the number of golf courses in the country but then for what the the Qatar International Golf Club will offer to the golf world it will have been worth the wait.



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