Gulf Construction Online - Equestrian links

Kuwait

Golfers on the first tee at the Sahara Golf and Country Club.

Equestrian links

01 December 2005

A major development under construction close to the Hunting and Equestrian Club has just seen the completion and opening of Kuwait’s first “all” grass 18-hole international golf course.

Construction work is now well under way on 21 VIP and VVIP chalets and associated recreational and leisure buildings as well as the golf clubhouse and surrounding landscaping, which are scheduled for completion February 2006.
The KD17 million ($58.2 million) development – known as Sahara Golf and Country Club – includes a shopping mall and a function hall.
The golf course and academy, the main components of the project, were designed by Swiss golf course designer Peter Harradine, who has been credited for the design of the most important golf courses in the Gulf, including the Doha Golf Club in Qatar and the Jebel Ali Golf Club in Dubai.
The course opened to the public last September and has been designedto PGA championship standards. It is an 18-hole, 6,709-yard, par 70-championship golf course, enriched with rolling fairways and sandtraps set within a fully landscaped environment necessary for any competitive golf course. The course, which includes three feature lakes, is partially floodlit for night golf and is managed by PGA Golf Management.
The driving range, which has comprehensive facilities for the golfer, has been designed in a complementary and unique form that is in harmony with the fairways, according to a spokesperson for the developer.
The state-of-the-art golf academy boasts indoor “swing” studios and uses the latest in computer-aided training technology.
Al Jazeera Real Estate Development Company, which was established to spearhead and manage the project, was awarded the contract to develop the project on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) for a period of 23 years starting January 1998.
The contract involved developing an area of 650,000 sq m within the boundaries of the Hunting and Equestrian Club and includes the development of an international standard golf course and clubhouse, in addition to an entertainment centre/shopping mall, wedding hall and chalets.
Outlining the reason behind developing the golf course, the spokesperson for Al Jazeera Real Estate Development Company says: “Although golf was introduced to Kuwait in the late 1950s, there has never been a green course that meets international specifications similar to golf courses in other Arabian Gulf states. This prompted us to establish a golf club to international standards.”
Gulf Consult is the local A/E consultant while Kuwait United Construction Management (KUCM) is providing construction management services for the entire development.
A distinctive feature of this course is that part of it – exactly 12 holes – lies within the existing horse racing track of the Hunting and Equestrian Club. In order to avoid obscuring views into the race track, the designed solution was to “lower” this part of the course, which has provided a unique and exquisite experience for those watching the horse racing. This “design constraint” has in fact been utilised to maximise and create a truly distinguishing aspect of the course created by the difference in the topography between the parts within and outside the horse race track.
In addition, nine holes in the course, as well as the driving range, are floodlit, allowing for the enjoyment of the game at night, especially on hot summer days.
Nearly 750,000 cu m of earth was removed to create the distinctive contouring of the course to provide for excellent views whilst offering players with a challenging opportunity to enjoy their game.
Abdul Rahman Bahman, chairperson and managing director of Al Jazeera Real Estate Development Company states: “We are providing world-class facilities at the Sahara Golf and Country Club and are firmly putting Kuwait onto the golfing map. I am delighted to finally see our vision become reality and welcome golfers to the Sahara Golf and Country Club. With the international and regional experience of PGA Golf Management, we will also provide world-class service standards and are sure the club will be a great success and continue to change the perception of Kuwait to visitors and companies”.
Earth-moving and rough-shaping at the golf course and lakes was done by Marafie Constructions Company whereas the irrigations system, fine shaping, grass springing and landscaping was done by Greenfields Agriculture Company under two separate contracts totalling to KD7 million. Bader Al Mulla and Brothers Company was responsible for the installation of the floodlighting.
The clubhouse, is being built by Combined Group Company under a KD2.5 million contract while Marafie Constructions Company is building the VIP and VVIP chalets under a contract worth KD2 million.

Clubhouse
The clubhouse, chalets and the entertainment centre, which are currently under construction, all share a picturesque vista over the golf course, providing members and guests with the impression of being in a “green oasis” rather than in the desert, according to the spokesman.
“The luxurious 9,500 sq m clubhouse was designed incorporating the highest standards of architectural specification and interior finishes, conveying the prestigious image of the golf club to the members as well as to the visitors,” the spokesman adds.
He continues: “The development of the club within the Hunting and Equestrian Club gives its members and guests additional benefits, as they might be offered special packages that include the ability to participate in the horse-riding, hunting and different activities offered by the Hunting and Equestrian Club.”
The clubhouse includes:
• A 350 sq m golf pro-shop, retailing golf-related equipment and accessories, as well as those of other sports such as tennis and squash;
• Main and secondary conference rooms;
• A high-class restaurant that serves members and visitors;
• Coffee shop, café and snack bar;
• Golfers’ lounge;
• Sitting and rest areas in many locations inside the club;
• Covered outside balcony-terrace areas suitable for barbecues;
• Administration offices;
• Storage and
• Library.
Within the clubhouse, there is a fully-equipped health facility serving both male and female members alike and encompassing separate gymnasiums, fitness rooms, lockers, Jacuzzis, sauna and steam rooms and beauty parlours for both men and women; squash and open tennis courts; outdoor as well as indoor swimming pools for women; and a children’s playroom.

Chalets
The chalets have been designed using two differing types. They include 14 standard units, overlooking the horse racing track as well as the course within the track, all fully equipped and furnished and featuring one bedroom, a kitchen galley and a living area. All these chalets share a common swimming pool.
More luxurious, overlooking the practice range, and providing additional space and comfort levels are the seven two-bedroom deluxe chalets featuring a master bedroom and en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom, visitor bathroom, extensive living room and dining areas and an enhanced kitchen area. A double garage has been designed under each of the chalets to take advantage of the difference in ground levels. Each chalet is also provided with its own private swimming pool.
The 21 chalets will be available on rental on a daily basis as well as for long stay.

Function hall
The 2,320 sq m multipurpose hall, will serve as a venue for special events such as weddings. It contains a reception lobby and a main hall, as well as a catering hall.

Shopping mall
The shopping mall is adjacent to the golf course and is currently under construction. Located at the perimeter of the Sahara Golf and Country Club, the shopping mall is claimed to be one of a kind in Kuwait, being a combination of a shopping mall, food court and many indoor sport-oriented games.
The mall, set in beautiful landscaping and equipped with ample car-parking facilities (approximately 200 cars with a plan to extend it up to 500 cars), covers an area of 17,900 sq m including the retail shops and food court.
The indoor entertainment centre comprises arcades for electronic and video games, restaurants and cafes, bowling and billiards halls and wall climbing facilities.