Jumeirah Golf Estates, the premier residential golf community in Dubai, today announced the first concrete pouring at its Norman Clubhouse, another milestone in the progress of the development. The Norman Clubhouse, designed by and named after golf legend Greg Norman, will serve the Fire and Earth courses upon completion ahead of the first Dubai World Championship in November 2009.
Work on the foundations of the clubhouse, which at 131,000 square feet will be one of the largest in the Middle East, was completed in April, ahead of the concreting which started today.
This progress follows last month’s announcement that Greg Norman’s Earth course has been chosen as the host venue for the richest tournament in world golf, the inaugural Dubai World Championship, in November 2009.
A landmark of elegance and style, the Mediterranean-influenced Norman Clubhouse will offer a range of options for both formal and casual dining, a Wellness Centre with a variety of massage and spa treatments, a Sports Centre, a nearby Tennis Academy, two tennis courts and a coaching facility, and The European Tour Centre of Excellence with adjoining Golf Academy.
This important milestone was recognized by David Spencer, Chief Executive, Golf at Leisurecorp, the owner of Jumeirah Golf Estates. He said: “This is a big course, with a big tournament and a big designer, in Greg Norman. It deserves a big clubhouse – and that’s what it’s getting. This is going to be a stunning facility, somewhere which will attract golfers and non-golfers alike.“
“I visit the site every few days and it’s been exciting to see the foundations take shape. Now, with the first concrete pour, we’re seeing an important milestone. Greg has designed the best golf courses in the Middle East here at Jumeirah Golf Estates, along with the best homes, at his Fireside by Greg Norman development. He’s now adding the best clubhouse to that roll of honour and, as always, we thank him for his time, his commitment and his talent.”
The Norman Clubhouse will be complemented by an ultra-modern practice facility and state-of-the-art European Tour Centre of Excellence and Golf Academy. The Golf Academy will offer personalized instruction, with low instructor-to-student ratios, using the latest technology and training knowledge to deliver real improvements to every part of the student’s game.
The Clubhouse’s Sports Centre will cater for a variety of leisure activities, featuring a fully-equipped gymnasium, swimming pools, exercise studio, yoga and pilates studio, a leisure-focused lagoon, a lounge area and a Spa and Wellness Centre with several treatment rooms.
Dining and entertainment options will include The Golf Brasserie, The Cellar private dining, The Swing Juice and Health Bar, a Tiki Bar serving the lagoon pools, an events lawn for up to 400 people, a terrace dining area, and a rooftop bar and BBQ terrace. Another feature of the Norman Clubhouse will be a stunning rock waterfall backdrop to the 18th greens of both the Fire and Earth courses.
Jumeirah Golf Estates has brought together the world’s leading golf and course design superstars, to create Dubai’s premier residential golfing community. Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and “the father of modern golf course design”, Pete Dye, are working on creating one of the world’s most distinctive golf developments. The four courses – Fire, Earth, Water, and Wind – will be surrounded by the most desirable residential communities in Dubai.
About Leisurecorp
Leisurecorp was established by Dubai World in July 2006, to identify, acquire, develop and manage a portfolio of investments in the sports and leisure sectors in Dubai and across the world.
Its portfolio includes Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai’s premier residential golf community; Pearl Valley Golf Estates, South Africa’s leading residential golf community, which will host the South African Open for the next two years; a major shareholding in Island Global Yachting, the premier owner, developer and manager of luxury marinas; a stake in Troon Golf, the world’s leading luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company; a shareholding in GPS Industries, the provider of Wi-Fi enabled global positioning systems (GPS) for golf and residential communities; and a stake in Snowmass Colorado, a 2.8 million square foot re-development of one of North America’s premier ski resorts.
