Double Masters winning José María Olazábal and his Olazabal Design company have designed or renovated golf courses in his native Spain, Greece, Qatar, China, Austria, The Maldives Islands and now have signed a deal to design a golf course in Bahrain.
Bahrain boasts just three golf courses, including the Royal Golf Club course designed by Colin Mongomerie and that played host in 2011 to the inaugural European Tour’s Volvo Champion and won by England’s Paul Casey.
Image – Jose Maria Olazaba
The Al Areen Holding Company, a leading real estate developer in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has entered into an agreement with Olazabal Design to design a modern 18-hole golf course as part of its Al Areen masterplan.
The company’s notable work with Olazabal includes the spectacular new Olympic and Hills courses at Costa Navarino in Greece, the Education City Golf Club in Qatar or Royal Sevilla Golf in Spain.
Al Areen masterplan is a leading destination for residence, hospitality, entertainment and business, including a township of nearly 2 million sqm of land and 1.5 million sqm of built-up area, with a capacity to accommodate approximately 25,000 people.
The project is distinguished by its proximity to Al Areen Wildlife Park and Natural Reserve in the southern region of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Spanning approximately 1.4 million sq m, the golf course will be developed in collaboration with Olazabal Design. It will be characterised by meticulous architectural design with a touch of luxury and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, offering an exceptional playing experience for golfers of all levels.
On the strategic deal, Al Areen Holding Company CEO Dr Ahlam Zainal said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Olazabal Design, a leading global golf course designer, to integrate a world-class course into our flagship project. This development represents a significant step toward our vision of establishing Al Areen as a distinguished tourism and residential destination, enhancing Bahrain’s status as a global tourism hotspot.
The Bahraini developer’s selection of Olazabal Design aligns with its strong commitment to transforming Al Areen masterplan into a premier tourist destination, making a significant impact in the kingdom while contributing to Bahrain’s ongoing economic progress, inspired by the noble vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the esteemed strategies of the government under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
“This golf course will add another dimension of luxury to Al Areen project, complementing an exceptional residential and sports tourism experience. We anticipate that this course will attract more tourists and residents, thereby bolstering economic growth in the area,” she stated.
Matthias Nemes, the Managing Partner of Olazabal Design, said: “We are proud to collaborate with Al Areen Holding Company on this exceptional project. The land´s natural beauty is simply breathtaking and we could not be more excited to design a top international golf course on this extraordinary terrain.”
“Our intention is to honour the neighbouring wildlife reserve and let its serenity serve as inspiration for our design. We are confident that the golf course will add significant value to the Al Areen development and provide unforgettable experiences for guests,” he added.
Al Areen masterplan will feature a mixed-use development based on the highest global standards of luxury and sustainability, integrating exceptional developmental projects within the captivating natural landscape of Bahrain.
The project is also close to key landmarks such as Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre and the Bahrain International Circuit.
