The ongoing development of Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) continued today as Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and JGE brand ambassador Henrik Stenson were all on hand to unveil the new clubhouse alongside HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
European Tour chief executive, George O’Grady, was also in attendance, as were; His Excellency Mohammed Al Shibani, Director General of His Highness Ruler’s Court and CEO of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, and JGE board members.
The JGE course will this weekend host the season’s final event and has previously welcomed all six championships since 2009. Only 12 months ago the facility was augmented by another ‘first’ for golf in the Gulf with the official opening of the first European Tour Performance Institute outside Europe.
Yousuf Kazim, general manager of JGE said: “Jumeirah Golf Estates is already a thriving community of families and international visitors, and the opening of the Clubhouse is a milestone development that cements Jumeirah Golf Estates’ status as the region’s leading residential golf community.
“The clubhouse will become the social focal point of Jumeirah Golf Estates, bringing first class F&B outlets, events spaces and golf facilities to residents and visitors to Dubai.”
World No1 McIlroy has already been crowned 2014 Race to Dubai champion, the second time the Northern Irishman has been the year’s leading golfer after success in 2012.
He takes the title from Stenson who enjoyed a superb end to 2013 as he picked up both the DP World Tour Championship and The Race to Dubai. The Swede was delighted to be returning to JGE, a club he know all too well.
“It is great to be back at Jumeirah Golf Estates to celebrate the opening of this fantastic clubhouse in time for the DP World Tour Championship – a staple tournament in my diary every year,” said Stenson. “The facilities are on a par with the world’s best, making the community a top choice for golfers, residents and visitors from around the world.”
Rose was the only man on show not to have won the climactic event. The Englishman came closest two years ago but was edged out by McIlroy.
The club hopes that its new ‘world class facilities’ will be the key elements of the clubhouse and O’Grady is confident that they developers have delivered on this aspect of the build.
“Each time we return here, we never fail to be impressed by the dramatic improvements to all parts of the estate – from the Earth and Fire courses, to the academy facilities which form The European Tour Performance Institute; the road and property infrastructure and, today, the new clubhouse,” said O’Grady.
“A world class golf tournament deserves world class facilities and the state-of-the-art clubhouse, which will greatly enhance for experience for the leading professionals this week and also the members who can enjoy the best of Jumeirah Golf Estates on a daily basis.”
