Gulf Construction Online - Golf course tees off in Ras Al Khaimah

Northern Emirates

A perspective of the golf course.

Golf course tees off in Ras Al Khaimah

01 November 2003

The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah will soon have its first golf course as part of a major programme to increase tourism in the area. The Tower Links Golf Club, a new 18-hole golf course is currently under construction in the emirate.

The project is situated on a fertile green plain of natural vegetation, against the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains.
Dubai-based Hydroturf International is the designer, builder and operator of this golf course and academy project, which is owned by Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi.

Describing the project, Gerald Williams, golf course architect, says: 'The Tower Links Golf Club is an 18-hole par 72 golf course and academy, complete with a driving range and short game facilities. Nine holes and the practice facilities will have floodlighting for night play. The course is 6,800 yards in length with four tees - professional, men, seniors and ladies - providing tee-off opportunities for all standards of play.'

The unique character of Tower Links is derived from the course being sited in and around a mangrove reserve. Not only does the reserve provide a natural backdrop, it also presents new golfing challenges.
'Hydroturf was awarded the contract early last year and began mobilisation work in April 2002,' says Colin Baxter, managing director of Hydroturf International.

The Tower Links project will be built in phases, eventually covering an area of 420,000 sq m. In the first phase, which is scheduled for completion by end of this year, a nine-hole floodlit facility will be set up. A further nine-hole facility, a clubhouse and an academy will be built in the second phase which will be completed later next year.

'This is the first design, build and operate project for Hydroturf. We put together a construction team for this project,' says Baxter.
Hydroturf, which has been operating in the region over the past eight years, offers a range of services and products to golf, residential and landscape clients. It offers a total turnkey service including design, construction, maintenance, marketing and products for turf industry.

Even though this is primarily a tourist course with a variety of risk and reward challenges - Tower Links will however - when played from the back tees - become a championship course.
The area of mangroves with a tidal inlet from the sea where the course is being built, is an integral part of the overall project and has been maintained, protected and developed as part of the project.
Preserving the natural surroundings was the major challenge faced while designing this project - which has earned it the ISO 14001 certification.

'Another challenge faced was the 1.8 m high tide, which meant we had to raise the level of the golf course by 3 m, says Baxter. 'We have worked hard to keep the habitat as natural as possible and prevent chemicals from leaching into the mangrove. A special type of turf is being used for the first time in this region.'

The new turf called Paspalum grass was recently developed in the US by the University of Georgia. It can tolerate high stress environments and can use wastewater which until now has been run off into the neighbouring wadis. This saves the cost of providing fully treated water.

The usage of Paspalum falls in line with the UAE's aim to adopt the latest cost-effective methods whilst conserving the environment.
The saline water used for the irrigation acts as a natural pesticide, thereby providing both cost and environmental savings. Another saving made by using Paspalum grass is that it reduces by half the quantity of fertilizer required compared to other grass varieties.

These savings in chemical usage alone will diminish the adverse impact on the environment, he says.
Built at the head of the lagoon and subject to tidal changes, the golf course with the new grass application will remain green. The Paspalum plant endures wet boggy areas and has the resilience to survive underwater for several days.

Clubhouse
The clubhouse, which covers a total area of 2,911.5 sq m, incorporates traditional Islamic architecture with modern amenities. It has been designed by Dubai-based Brewer Smith & Brewer Gulf.
The facility has an entrance level with an area of 1,564.5 sq m and a lower level covering 1,347 sq m.

'The clubhouse's concept aims to introduce a contrast between the old architecture of the Middle East on one hand and a new glass functional design for the other,' says Alistair McMillan, managing partner with the company. 'We had to give both exterior and interior of the building a single design entity,' he says.

The design concept involves an orchestrated sequence of settings which offer the guest the opportunity to experience a unique and exciting environment right from the point of arrival. The guest enters a landmark building, a watchtower - built 3 to 4 m above road level - epitomising and reflecting the architectural history of Ras Al Khaimah.

Thereafter, the clubhouse opens up to reveal magnificent views over the golf course. The juxtaposition of the old and new creates an ambience which offers a distinctive warm and modern interior.
The interior of the clubhouse will offer a warm feeling through the use of natural materials including wooden beams, stone, tiled floors and so forth. The guests sitting in the clubhouse will feel in tune with nature as the interior will blend with the exterior.

The clubhouse is a semi-circular development featuring a lobby at an entrance level surmounted by a glazed rooflight. The entrance level also accommodates a lounge bar and a restaurant. There is an open deck area to hold the overspill from the restaurant. The walkways are illuminated with rooflights.

The lower level has offices, a circular-shaped gymnasium, locker rooms for men and women, steam rooms, sauna and separate toilets. There is also a water feature, booking desk and timber deck area at the lower level.
The clubhouse is approached via illuminated walkways and is set in extensive landscaping, which means only the watchtower is visible from the road.
Future plans include a 250-room hotel with leisure facilities and a marina and 21 residential chalets.