NEW COURSES Travel 1 2 3 4 5 6 THE

BANDON DUNES ABU DHABI PORTUGAL ISRAEL OLD MACDONALD, YAS LINKS AND HAINAN ISLAND HERDADE DA LAS COLINAS CAESAREA GOLF OREGON SAADIYAT BEACH COMPORTA CLUB

CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: WORLD’S Opened summer 2010 Both open for play Opened summer 2010 Planning Open for play Open for play DESIGNER: Tom Doak DESIGNERS: Kyle DESIGNER: Tom Doak DESIGNERS: To m DESIGNER: Cabell B DESIGNER: Pete Dye Phillips and Gary Player Fazio/David McLay Kidd Robinson

GREEN FEES: From GREEN FEES: Yas, GREEN FEES: From GREEN FEES: - GREEN FEES: £50-£70 GREEN FEES: From £60 in January to £170 £100-£140; Saadiyat £60 in January to £170 £80 MOST EXCITING May-October £110-£150 May-October CONTACT: 00 888 345 CONTACT: www. CONTACT: 00 888 345 CONTACT: 00 351 265 CONTACT: +34 965 32 CONTACT: 00 972 461 6008, www. yaslinks.com; www. 6008, www. 499 900, www. 40 04, www. 09600, www.caesarea. bandondunesgolf.com sbgolfclub.ae bandondunesgolf.com herdadedacomporta.pt lascolinasgolf.es com NEW COURSES THE LOWDOWN: THE LOWDOWN: 250 THE LOWDOWN: THE LOWDOWN: It’s Bandon Dunes Golf courses are under Herdade da Comporta not an exaggeration to Resort had three fine construction in China is a nature reserve on say Cabell B Robinson We may be emerging from a global recession but the golf boom shows courses – but they with 600 more in the sandbelt on is a Spanish course weren’t satisfied. So various stages of Portugal’s west coast designing legend. He little sign of slowing. From Brazil to China, here are the shooting stars they asked Tom Doak, planning. Hainan is at between the Algarve to has sculpted a plethora who sculpted their the forefront, a Setubal. It is an hour of layouts in the country Pacific Dunes course, to tropical island from Lisbon and 90 including La Reserva in WORDS BY CHRIS BERTRAM add a fourth layout. It is paradise in the minutes from the Sotogrande and Finca a tribute to Charles Blair South China Sea western courses in the Cortesín on the Costa Little more than 10 years ago, if you told someone IAGTO was established in 1997 to represent a Macdonald, the father TTHEHE LLOWDOWN:OWDOW which the government Algarve. Two courses del Sol. When the Las THE LOWDOWN:LOWDOWN: you were going to play golf abroad they would number of the world’s leading golf tour operators. of American course Dubai has led the way in want to turn into a are being built, one by Colinas complex wanted Caesarea is on land automatically assume you were heading for Iberia. Within 10 years its membership had grown to design and founder of Middle East golf – now tourist destination like American Tom Fazio in a course to run through once owned by the Inform them your destination was somewhere more than 1,000 companies and that number the USGA. Old Abu Dhabi threatens to Hawaii by 2020. There association with their 330-hectare Rothschilds. Passionate other than the Algarve or a Costa, and you’d be continues to grow, currently standing at 1,564. Macdonald features the overtake it. Saadiyat are 22 courses here at European Golf Design development, the golfer James de greeted with a quizzical look. Spain and Portugal “There has never been a better time to play principles Macdonald Beach opened in March the moment but and one by David McLay American was a wise Rothschild vowed to utterly dominated the market for the travelling abroad,” IAGTO’s Giles Greenwood told us. incorporated into his 2010, Abu Dhabi Golf anywhere between 100 Kidd. Portugal want this choice to realise their build a course there and own courses and is a Club will again host the and 300 are planned. to be the country’s third ambition. even though he passed British golfer in those days as resort upon resort There are very few countries who don’t want to away in 1957, his family opened up to cash in on the sunshine golf boom. attract visiting golfers – from Iceland to worthy addition to a European Tour in 2011 Quite simply, China are great golf venue resort which already while Yas Links has just building courses faster after Lisbon and finished his dream. It In 2010, nothing could be further from the Guatemala. Spain and Portugal used to be the boasts some beauties. opened this autumn. than any other country. the Algarve. was revamped in 2008. truth as those traditional favourites must now staple diet but now the options are incredible.” battle for attention with new courses in every Golf World has scoured the planet to bring you THEY SAY: THEY SAY: THEY SAY: THEY SAY: THEY SAY: corner of the globe. The recession undoubtedly details of the most exciting new developments – Bandon Set against Well, not a Caesarea is Dunes is true to the dramatic views of the lot. There is a reluctance Comporta Links the only international sparked a reassessment in course construction, but either open, in planning or in construction – spirit of Scotland’s Arabian Gulf, Yas Links to speak about golf has been chosen golf club in Israel and new tracks continue to be built – from Russia to which are continually increasing the choices for links. Sweeping, is a wonderful layout development on Hainan as Portugal’s bid for boasts a meticulously- Bahrain and from Middlesbrough to Oregon. the travelling golfer. untamed shores stretch which is guaranteed to and even the usually the 2018 Ryder groomed course, holes for miles. Primeval excite and educate. The PR-savvy Mission Hills Cup. McLay Kidd of great variety and grassy dunes roll to the course at Saadiyat Group are shy. They did says of Comporta THEY SAY: “A unique large practice areas. sea. Four distinctly Beach is one of the however lure Monty, Dunes: “Using Pine feature is it runs through Now Pete Dye’s project different courses have world’s most captivating Ochoa and Catherine Valley as a source of a valley between hills has been completed, been conceived in projects and it is the Zeta Jones to the inspiration, we intend to high enough to isolate it the course is capable of harmony with the Gulf’s first and only opening of their new leave much of the native from its surrounding hosting international natural environment. ocean course. course on Hainan. vegetation ‘as is’.” area,” says Robinson. golf tournaments.

GW VERDICT: Every bit GW VERDICT: Within a GW VERDICT: China GW VERDICT: The GW VERDICT: Las GW VERDICT: as stunning as its sister matter of months Abu may be being cautious unspoilt coastline will Colinas opened this Caesarea is located in courses and if the world Dhabi joined golf’s top but it’s easy to imagine be a phenomenal site autumn and has already the heart of a high-class now has a finer resort table. Attention to detail in 10 years’ time Hainan for this duo and the impressed. Spain isn’t tourist resort. Dye’s we’re yet to see it. You is incredible and cost being considered one of other 10 (plus hotels short of quality tracks – extensive refurbishment could play twice a day simply seems not to the world’s top golf and other amenities) witness our Top 50 job – it is basically a here for a week and matter. Phillips and destinations alongside which are planned. It listing last month – but new course - makes it a never be anything other Player have therefore the likes of Florida, the might even be the fast- in our next compilation, true championship test, than exhilarated. These created breathtaking Algarve and the coasts running Scottish links there is little doubt Las at an affordable price, in are Major-quality tracks. championship courses. of Britain and Ireland. they fancifully speak of. Colinas will feature in it. a fabulous resort.

www.golf-world.co.ukwww.golf-world.co.uk // // JANUARYOCTOBER 2011 2010 115 117 NEW COURSES Travel 7 8 9 10 11 12

‘FALDO’S ELEA DESIGN ADDS BALLAST TO CYPRUS’ PORTFOLIO’

BRAZIL JAPAN SWEDEN BAHRAIN OLYMPIC COSTA ALL FOUR MAIN BRO HOF SLOT, ROYAL GOLF CAPE KALIAKRA COURSE, RIO NAVARINO ISLANDS STOCKHOLM CLUB

CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATE: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATE: Proposal One open,one imminent Open for play Open for play Open for play Open for play

DESIGNER: Nicklaus DESIGNERS: B Langer DESIGNER: Various DESIGNER: Robert DESIGNER: Colin DESIGNERS: G Player and Sorenstam? Robert Trent Jones Trent Jones Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam

GREEN FEES: – GREEN FEES: Three GREEN FEES: From GREEN FEES: Stadium GREEN FEES: £100 GREEN FEES: BSR - nights B&B and two £30 up to £120 - £120; Castle - £75 £45; Lighthouse - £40; rounds for £345 Thracian TBC

CONTACT: CONTACT: +30 272 CONTACT: www.jnto. CONTACT: CONTACT: +973 17 CONTACT: www. www.olympic.org 309 6000, www. go.jp/eng and www.golf- +46 8545 27990, 750777, www. capekaliakra.com has costanavarino.com in-japan.com www.brohofslott.se theroyalgolfclub.com links to all three courses

THE LOWDOWN: THE LOWDOWN: THE THE THE LOWDOWN: Cape Brazil will host the Costa Navarino is a new LOWDOWN: It LOWDOWN: Kaliakra is a beautiful Olympics in 2016 and high-end golf resort in might surprise The European spot on the Black Sea, golf will be part of the the Mediterranean, you to know Tour will break 500km east of Sofia. It’s global games for the stretching over a Japan has the new ground in the third biggest first time since 1904. spectacular sunset- second largest January when Bulgarian port, and it’s The format is going to facing seaside area in number of Bahrain hosts now home to three be a 72-hole strokeplay the Greek region of courses in the the Volvo Golf terrific new courses: the tournament for men Messinia in the world, with Champions links-style Lighthouse and women, with fields southwest Peloponnese. more than tournament at the (September 2008), the of 60. What isn’t known Langer’s course is open 2,400. And Royal Golf Club exacting Black Sea is where it will be held, ahead of schedule and now Japan are from the 27th to Rama (May 2008) and with just two suitable Trent Jones’ is due to getting serious aboutout the 30th. The new the soon-to-open courses in Rio, open before the end of attracting golfers as THE LOWDOWN: The ColinCo Montgomerie- Thracian Cliffs. The Itanhanga and Gavea – the year. Langer’s they were at the Stadium Course opened designed course will courses are blessed neither of which are incorporates some International Golf Travel in 2007 and is one of host the tournament, with endless, open to the public. If it links-style features in Market for the first time the finest in Europe. which will see past and magnificent sea views happens, Jack Nicklaus areas closest to the sea, this year. Hokkaido, the This year, a second, The present winners on the from the height of and Annika Sorenstam with tall dunes dividing Phoenix Seagaia Resort, Castle, also designed by European Tour play with 200m from Cape Elea (above) is are among those who some of the holes Taiheiyo, and The Robert Trent Jones Jr amateurs on the first Kaliakra to Cape Galata another impressive want to design it. adjacent to the beach. Cypress are top tracks. opened as well. day of action. on the Black Sea. Cypriot course, while Las Colinas (below) will THEY SAY: THEY SAY: THEY SAY: THEY SAY: The Robert THEY SAY: THEY SAY: Tour de las Situated on Many The new The become one of Americas chief a world-class site, courses were built in the Trent Jones Jr-designed Montgomerie course Lighthouse is a Spain’s best. Henrique Lavie said last Navarino Dunes is set late 1980s by the likes complex on the shores offers a truly unique prestigious links style spring he is committed on diverse topography of Robert Trent Jones Jr, of picturesque Lake blend of links and course and will become to making sure the with spectacular sea Jack Nicklaus and Malaren features a desert golf, taking the signature feature of Olympic course open to and river views. Robert von Hagge. castle for the clubhouse, advantage of Bahrain’s one of Europe’s premier the public. “I think that’s Japan will be the next 36 holes with USGA- natural rough desert resorts. In 2009 Black probably unique golf destination specification greens, terrain and combining it Sea Rama won the mandatory,” Lavie with rich tourism state-of-the-art drainage with vast manmade ‘International Courses’ said. “A public golf resources, cultural and a sub-air system lakes. The desert feel is category of the 2009 course can make a experience and like the one used at retained through use of Development of the Year big difference. “ hospitality. Augusta National. sandy waste bunkers. Awards.

GW VERDICT: A new GW VERDICT: It’s GW VERDICT: They GW VERDICT: This is GW VERDICT: This course isn’t a cast-iron not that there are want the Ryder Cup and the centre of the Riffa quality of golf would certainty, but Lavie’s lots of new courses it would be a fantastic Views development and cost you hundreds of Yas Links (right) is comment suggests it is in Japan, it’s the venue. Throw in other while the claim of an pounds if the courses invariably in very likely. Lavie has GW VERDICT:VERDICT: CostaCos fact Japan now wants to courses in the area – ‘authentic links were in Portugal. Player excellent condition, also revealed nearly a Navarino oozes class. tell everyone about Kungsängen, Royal experience’ might be a insists Thracian Cliffs, while Saadiyat dozen architects are The clifftop golf is world them. They have a Drottningholm little exaggerated, due to open in May Beach (left) just keen to build the course. class and the powerful collection with Golfklubb, Bro Balsta there’s no doubt it has 2011, is destined to keeps on raising the bar. In other words, they’ve conditioning is great, as which to attract and Fagelbro – and it’s fast-running fairways become one of the not been discouraged. is the variety of holes. travelling golfers. an excellent package. and firm greens. world’s top three.

116 JANUARY 2011 // www.golf-world.co.uk www.golf-world.co.ukwww.golf-world.co.uk //// JANUARYOCTOBER 20112010 117117 NEW COURSES Travel 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 FIVE EXCITING NEW BRITISH COURSES No need for a plane to play these MAR HALL CURRENT STATUS: Open for play AUSTRALIA CYPRUS MOROCCO EGYPT HOLLAND VIETNAM USA RUSSIA DESIGNER: Dave Thomas LOST FARMS ELEA GOLF CLUB GOLF DE THE ALLEGRIA THE DUTCH MONTGOMERIE THE PRAIRIE AGALAROV GREEN FEES: £75 (includes lunch) TASMANIA MOGADOR AND DANANG CLUB, NEBRASKA COUNTRY CLUB 0141 812 9999 www.marhall.com Mar Hall is a luxury five-star golf & spa resort set in a tranquil 240-acre woodland estate 10 minutes from CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATE: CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT STATUS: Glasgow Airport. It has 53 individual bedrooms, a In construction Open for play Open/in construction Open for play Open for play Open for play Open for play Open for play comprehensive spa and a championship course DESIGNER: Ben DESIGNER: Nick Faldo DESIGNER: Gary DESIGNER: Greg DESIGNER: Colin DESIGNERS: Norman DESIGNERS: DESIGNER: Cal Olson which benefits from spectacular views of the River Crenshaw/Bill Coore Player Norman Montgomerie and Montgomerie T Lehman & G Marsh Clyde and the Kilpatrick Hills. The Earl of Mar parkland course was designed by Dave Thomas. GREEN FEES: – GREEN FEES: GREEN FEES: From GREEN FEES: £90 GREEN FEES: GREEN FEES: Danang GREEN FEES: £135 GREEN FEES: TBC ROCKCLIFFE £65-£100 £50 Members and £60, Montgomerie £45 members’ guests only. CURRENT STATUS: Open for play CONTACT: +61-3- CONTACT: +357 26 CONTACT: +212 524 CONTACT: CONTACT: + 31 88 33 CONTACT: www. CONTACT: CONTACT: DESIGNER Marc 6356-0094, www. 202004, www. 47 92 30, www. +202 3857 3939, 99 120, www. dananggolfclub.com & 888.402.1101, www. +7 926 800 14 36, www. Westenborg barnbougledunes.com eleaestate.com golfdemogador.com www.allegriacairo.com thedutch.nl montgomerielinks.com theprairieclub.com agalarovestates.com GREEN FEES: Tuesday, Wednesday THE THE LOWDOWN: THE LOWDOWN: The THE LOWDOWN: The THE LOWDOWN: The THE LOWDOWN: and Thursday for LOWDOWN: Located in the beautiful Allegria opened for play Dutch is a new 18-hole Prairie Club opened in Agalarov opened in £45 in 2010 Tom Doak historic port city of in July this year and is course at Spijk, near May and has already autumn 2010 and is 01325 729999 www. created the Essaouira on Morocco’s located in a luxury Gorinchem, 40km east been described as Moscow’s first fully- rockliffehall.com first course at Atlantic coastline, Gary residential development of Rotterdam. “the next frontier in integrated international Rockcliffe has been Barnbougle Player has just finished on the outskirts of Cairo. Construction began in golfing”. It is located golf resort, offering a full built by the owner of Dunes and it is the first of two early 2008 and rigorous near Valentine, range of social, ad nearby football club Middlesbrough, Steve Gibson, recognised as courses at land shaping was Nebraska, in the recreational and sport and has one of Europe’s longest courses, designed by one of the finest Mogador. The required to change what heart of the facilities. The course is one of Hawtree Ltd’s architects Marc Westenborg. It courses in the TTHEHE LOWDOWN: LOWDOW Sir second is due to was flat farmland into a Sandhills – a the brainchild of Araz has five different tees, so is playable for all. The River world. Now the club is Nick Faldo’s latest open before the course of undulating TTHEHE LLOWDOWN:OWDOWN region about the size of Agalarov, one of the Tees winds its way through this woodland course. adding a second layout, design sits on hills year is out. Add in fairways, featuring many There were already 28 Scotland that is known richest men in Russia. It The Lost Farms. It will overlooking the Royal Dar Es bumps and hollows. The for its distinctive sand was designed by HEYTHROP PARK courses in Vietnam be designed by Ben Mediterranean. It has Salam, El Jadida land is below sea level when, within a few dunes topography. American Cal Olson, CURRENT STATUS: Open for play Crenshaw and Bill been routed through Royal, Royal so many water features months this year, two who has been involved DESIGNER: Mackenzie & Ebert Coore. Having created rolling countryside, and Agadir, Royal – several lakes and superstar layouts at every stage; and who, GREEN FEES: Mon-Fri £50, Sat & Sun £70 the likes of Bandon features imposing Mohammedia many canals – have opened. Wind-blown unsurprisingly, has 01608 673488, www.heythropparkgolf.co.uk Trails, it’s difficult not to weathered outcrops of and Royal been incorporated. This dunes and indigenous created a big, target Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire is a distinguished new be very excited about limestone and mature Marrakech and member’s club opened vegetation give a golf-style course course in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. It Coore & Crenshaw’s carob and olive trees Morocco has in October 2010. heathland-links feel. which requires long, stretches to over 7,000 yards off the tips as it latest project. which give definition. many options. accurate hitting. meanders through ancient woodland, lakes and streams. THEY SAY: Barnbougle THEY SAY: All at Faldo THEY SAY: “I am blown THEY SAY: TheTh THEY SAY: “When I THEY SAY: When THEY SAY: Set on 320 Dunes Golf Club is an Design are proud of our away by the beauty of Signature Norman saw how fast the course Norman checked in hectares of rich fertile ROWALLAN CASTLE experience that strikes own achievement here. what we have created designed course was running is was on the progress of land, the vast amounts CURRENT STATUS: Open for play all the senses. With the We have created a here in Essaouira, and features streams, rock really impressive. The his Dunes Course in of water on the 18-hole Designer: Colin Montgomerie sun on your back, the course that offers not my greatest hope is that features, vegetation and greenkeeper has done a March this year he said: THEY SAY: Theh PrairiePrairie championship course GREEN FEES: Until February, £30 (includes soup) wind in your hair, the only strategic golf in a the course increases undulating scenery. fantastic job and I am “The fact is, you’d be Club will offer two creates both a natural 01563 530 550, www.rowallancastle.com whiff of sea salt and the beautiful setting, but is tourism and creates Norman’s team certain it will quickly doing a very poor job to 18-holers and a 10-hole, calm feel and provides Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire opened this summer. roar of the ocean you’ll also very sympathetic to jobs for the warm and introduced innovative gain a prominent make a boring course par 3 course. The Dunes the golfer with several Rowallan is a 7,000-yard championship course which be captivated by its environment. This is gracious people of methods to utilise the position in all rankings out of a site like this.” was designed by Tom risk and reward Colin Montgomerie routed through the swathes of everything which a course that sits in Morocco,” said Player greatest number of of top courses. It is a The Montgomerie Links Lehman and it is challenges. This is one 1000-year-old yew trees. Rowallan also has a 19th Mother Nature has to harmony with its after playing the trees on the site rather real challenge for was also built on first- marked by dramatic of the finest hole, ‘The Decider’, a 155-yard par 3. offer. landscape. inaugural round there. than eliminate them. everyone,” said Monty. class golfing terrain. elevation changes. developments in Russia. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GW VERDICT: This is GW VERDICT: Cyprus GW VERDICT: Player GW VERDICT: The GW VERDICT: Monty GW VERDICT: Vietnam GW VERDICT: Simply GW VERDICT: This is a CURRENT STATUS: In planning Coore & Crenshaw’s is a wonderful all-year- wanted to create a course has enhanced reckons there is not a was vastly underrated awesome. Take a seriously well-appointed DESIGNER: Martin Hawtree first overseas project round golf destination course which was fun the residential bad hole on The Dutch before this year – and minute to check out the golf resort with a big GREEN FEES: - since Indonesia in yet is just over four as well as challenging. development and a five- (EGD again involved) . with these two new website and you’ll see American-style course 01358 743 300, www.trumpgolfscotland.com 1995. Their design hours from the British He has used the existing star hotel and spa will It’s an inland links which tracks it is now one of why. Oh, and when you dominated by water. A This contentious development by the American associate Dave Axland winter and Faldo’s new sand dunes and open in 2013. Combined appears not totally the best Asian play the Horse Course nice place to base billionaire has enjoyed more green lights than reds and shaping specialist track adds welcome vegetation to the full with Egypt’s fabulous unlike Carton House in destinations. The there are no tees – the yourself, play some recently and Trump’s dream looks set to be realised. Keith Rhebb are on the ballast to the island’s and, with its scenic climate, The Allegria Ireland. From such a natural landscape is player with the honour good golf and take in the The land is so exceptional it would be very surprising site and the initial portfolio of courses. It ocean views, is a has all the ingredients featureless framework, perfect for creating decides the spot from sights of one of the if Hawtree’s expertise doesn’t produce a masterpiece. images look amazing. looks terrific already. charming prospect. to be a massive hit. it is an impressive effort. stunning courses. which you tee it up. world’s great cities.

118 JANUARY 2011 // www.golf-world.co.uk