Celebrated golf course designer Gil Hanse may not be able to express similar feelings about his much talked about Rio 2016 Olympics course, but he was delighted with the pace of work at the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai.
The American was in town on Monday to assess the progress of his latest design – a 7,205-yard, par-71, 18-hole course – which forms the heart of Damac’s Akoya community in the Dubailand area.
Two holes – the 10th and 11th, both par-4s – and the driving range have already been grassed and work has started on the green complex, while five holes are being shaped.
The course is expected to be completed by the end of 2014, and will open for play in early 2015.
Hanse has publicly stated his frustration with the delays faced by his project in Rio, but wore the smile of a proud man as he showed a select group of media around the Trump International Golf Club.
“I cannot be more pleased with the support I have received from Damac and the Trump Organisation. Since my last visit here in September, our team here has done a fantastic job really,” said Hanse, who flew in from Miami after the re-launch of the Blue Monster at Doral, the golf course that hosts the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
“Since the announcement in May last year, we have been able to get straight on to the site and already the driving range and holes 10 & 11 are grassed, one lake is filled and shaping work is well underway on holes 2 through to 6.
“From a distance, I have been delighted with the way the course is coming along, and I am very excited to get back on the course with the guys and help to personally shape this special course.”
The elevation changes and the wadi look that Hanse wanted to achieve for the course is already visible, but what is also clear is that most of the challenges would be centred around the greens.
“The landing areas are wide, 50 to 60 yards on most holes, but it would be important how you place your tee shot because that would make your approach shots easier or tougher. The width will make the golf course very playable, but to score well, you have to be very refined on and around the greens,” said Hanse.
“Most greens are a bit irregular shaped, and they give several options for hole locations. And we will have closely-mowned areas around the greens, which would open up more options for players – whether they want to chip, or putt.
“I also wanted a good mix of holes. So, we have a 300-yard par- 4 and a 140-yard par-3, and then there is a 660-yard par-5 as well.
“We don’t have a formula for this, but we just wanted the holes to fit in well with each other. Our finishing stretch is a par-3, par-4, par-3, par- 4, which is a bit unusual, but I think it was the best way we could have laid it out. But it’s going to a very exciting finishing stretch.”
