Els Club Dubai
A feature from the IAGTO Directory 2015
Els Club Dubai
Els Club Dubai A design masterpiece by a golf legend Nestled in the heart of the world-renowned Dubai Sports City, the beautiful Els Club is a links-style desert course combined with a traditional ‘classical era’ design measuring 7,538 yards from the tips. The holes all constitute characteristics from Els’ favourite courses around the world; bunkers from Royal Melbourne, greens resembling Pinehurst No. 2 and wide, rolling links fairways. Combine this with strategically placed tee-boxes, strong course management, soft sand, hard sand and carefullydeveloped undulation, and you are presented with a true masterpiece in golf course design. The course features undulations and strong elevation changes for visual and strategic interest. Extensive use of dunes, sandy waste areas and native grasses and vegetation between wide fairways, along with a classic style of bunkering, add to the links effect. It is a test for the best, but four sets of teeing areas means players of all standards can enjoy the challenge, while the greenside protection system consists of sculpted bunkers, grassy swales and imaginatively-designed greens featuring fine-textured Bermuda grass that are conducive to smooth, fast putting surfaces all year round. Winning accolades in 2008 as the Best New International Course by Links Golf Magazine and Best New Facility of the Year by Troon Golf in the same year, with Best Golf Course in Dubai by CNBC Arabian Property Awards in 2009, the Els Club has proven its charm to golfing enthusiasts and promotes Dubai as the leading golf destination of the world. The Els Club prides itself on offering the most innovative facilities and for providing unparalleled hospitality to members and guests. The clubhouse officially opened on November 2012. At 60,000 square feet, it features world-class facilities including two restaurants, members’ private lounge, a fully-stocked pro shop and substantial locker rooms for men and women complete with Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna as well as personalised lockers. The facility is fitted out to extremely high standards, backed up by Troon, the world’s largest golf management company, making this a truly five-star golfing experience.
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Els Club Dubai
Set on 50 million sq ft within the Dubailand development, Dubai Sports City is the world’s only integrated sports city and offers a dazzling array of recreational sporting facilities, while state-of-the-art venues host top class international sporting events all year round. Globally-recognised brands run academies in cricket, rugby, football, swimming, hockey and golf. The Els Club’s championship golf course is also housed within the exclusive golf course villa community, Victory Heights. The development features extensive trails for biking and walking alongside a panoramic view of the golf course as well as a number of prestigious schools, including the Bradenton Prep, a GEMS school, and Victory Heights Primary School.
The latest in golf fashion and equipment The excellence on the course is matched by a pro shop bursting with the very latest golf equipment from the world’s best manufacturers and high-end branded apparel and lifestyle products, from the likes of Ralph Lauren, Galvin Green and J Lindeberg. Also offered is the Ernie Els apparel collection including a wide assortment of clothing and accessories. Just like the design of his golf courses, Ernie Els’ apparels exude sophistication, luxurious feel and classic golf. The pro shop is also the first and only shop in the UAE to carry Vega Golf. Vega is a premium manufacturer of perfect golf clubs, and first to produce forged cavity-back irons offered in a diverse range. Vega can also be found at other luxury retailers such as Harrods and Queenwood.
Learn from the pros The Butch Harmon School of Golf, the first-ever teaching facility of its kind in the Middle East, offers the most technologically-advanced facility and helps enhance a golfer’s game. The school’s professional staff utilises Butch Harmon’s time-tested approach to help refine a golfer’s unique swing, taking the game to an entirely new level. The school’s modern approach to golf as an athletic sport also utilises Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) processes to help players improve physically as well as technically. TPI, the golf world’s leading educational organisation and research facility, is dedicated to improving the golfer’s functional movement to allow a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible. The school’s director of instruction, Justin Parsons, has worked closely with the world’s top players including Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Ernie Els and aims to provide an educational environment for golf instruction leading a team of career coaches whose collective passion is to improve players’ golf performance. The Butch Harmon School of Golf also offers a successful junior programme with three members of the programme competing in the Dubai Desert Classic and many pursuing college golf education. The school caters for developing the skills of children from five years old and above. 63
Els Club Dubai
Planning your event From exclusive boardroom meetings to corporate gala events, the Els Club offers unique venues for every occasion. With impeccable event management expertise gained from specialists with over 25 years’ events experience through Troon Golf, the Els Club manages every facet of your event. With a state-of-the-art audio and video system, host your business meetings in the Muirfield Boardroom, comfortably accommodating up to 10 attendees. Or impress up to 100 guests in the Oakmont and Congressional meeting rooms for product presentations, a round-table luncheon or a training session. The Oakmont and Congressional rooms can each serve as a single space for large events or can be split into two small breakout rooms. Adjacent to the clubhouse entrance is the Events Lawn. This grassed venue offers views of the surrounding Victory Heights community and is capable of hosting up to 1,000 fully-catered guests. The Events Lawn is the ideal venue for weddings, art fairs, sporting events or family fun days.
Dining at the club Named after Ernie Els’ record-breaking low score in a 72-hole PGA Tour tournament, achieved with his 31 under par total at the 2003 Mercedes Championship, the 261 Restaurant is located at the ground level of the clubhouse. Serving a diverse choice of food including a selection of delicious sandwiches and burgers, authentic pastas, baked pastries, local and foreign cuisines and with a panoramic view across the course, 261 is the perfect place to unwind after a round of golf. The newly-opened members-only lounge is furnished with thick leather, oversized chairs and features that make the room and the venue feel more like Ernie’s home than a “designed” lounge. Named after Ernie Els himself, the Big Easy Restaurant opened its doors in October 2013 on the mezzanine level of the clubhouse. The Big Easy places importance on serving fine steaks and South African-themed dishes, with a Malaysian and European gastronomic twist, and showcases Ernie Els’ magnificent wine portfolio including Ernie Els Signature, Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend, Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah, the Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon and the Ernie Els Merlot.
The Big Easy
This exciting new restaurant is the second branch from Els, who initially established The Big Easy in December 2008 at La Gratitude in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Contact details The Els Club, Dubai Sports City, Emirates Road, PO Box 111123, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 425 1010
golf@elsclubdubai.com
Copy supplied by The Els Club 64
www.elsclubdubai.com
Cover Photo: Bunga Raya Course, Saujana Golf & Countr y Club, Malaysia • www.saujana.com.my
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