For Immediate Release: 28 January 2008 The Els Club Opens Today at Dubai Sports City A new benchmark for golf and another first for Dubai. The Els Club establishes a new benchmark for golf in Dubai. This outstanding Ernie Els designed golf course is the first of a select number of hand-picked projects that will bear Ernie s name directly, each providing a first class, memorable golf experience, combined with five-star service and prestige. The Els Club golf course in Dubai is set on undulating slopes of native desert vegetation; it is a links style layout combining traditional classic design. Stretching 7,538 yards from the tips, it features four sets of teeing areas allowing players a selection of differing lengths from which to play. Right from the start we knew we wanted to embrace the uniqueness of this amazing environment and incorporate the natural dunes and native plants into our design, both from an aesthetic and strategic standpoint, explained Els. We call it a desert links and I think that captures the essence of this golf course nicely. I mean, there is a genuine sense that you are playing golf in the desert and that was definitely one of the single most important design goals of ours. We really didn t want something that looked artificial. The Els Club represents one of the jewels in the crown at the extraordinary Dubai Sports City, the world s only integrated sports city. Set on a 50 million square feet site, it features world class sporting facilities, four state-of-the-art stadiums and a variety of world-renowned sports academies, including Manchester United Soccer Schools, The ICC Global Cricket Academy, a Butch Harmon Golf School and David Lloyd Tennis Academy. In addition, Dubai Sports City will boast major residential and commercial developments, together with all the amenities expected in a purpose-built city of this size, including a mall and retail hubs, international schools, medical facilities, hotels, community centres and entertainment venues. The Els Club forms part of the exclusive golf course villa community, billed as lifestyle living with a difference. The first phase of properties is sold out. The Second Phase is launched for sale today. This is low density housing with a premium on space, comfort
and outdoor activities. Extensive trails will make biking and walking pedestrian friendly, while the golf course itself will provide an attractive environment in which to live. The Els Club is managed by Troon Golf, the world s leading luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company. It is the first club in the Middle East to offer transferable memberships. There are 250 memberships available. Individuals, families and corporations will be invited to pay a one-time fee plus annual dues. This course is something very special, added Els. I think you can make a course challenging for the best players in the world but at the same time enjoyable for the rest of the world s golfers. We ve done that here. - ENDS - For further information, please contact the Professional Sports Group: US / Europe / Asia / Rest of the World Media David Silvers / Jed Moore / Maria O Connor +44 1275 858930 david@profsports.com / jed@profsports.com / maria@profsports.com Middle East Media Jamie Cunningham / Carrie McNeill +971 50 657 6927 / + 971 50 545 7674 jamiec@profsports.com / carrie@profsports.com Photos of Ernie are available upon request. -ENDS- About Ernie Els Design Ernie Els Design creates classic golf courses of distinction around the world; attractive destinations that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practice. Since its formation, Ernie has proved his willingness to fully
involve himself at every stage of the design process in each of the golf courses in the portfolio. It reflects his commitment to do everything to the absolute best of his abilities, to be on site at various critical times in the design process. This hands-on approach is one of his great attributes as a golf course designer. The Els Club in Dubai is the 5 th Ernie Els Design golf course to open around the world and the 1 st in the Middle East. There are another two courses scheduled for opening in 2008. There are a further 16 projects around the world, each at various stages of planning, design and construction. Ernie Els Design is committed to the use and promotion of environmentally friendly and sustainable practice. At the Els Club, Dubai, wetlands and lakes were created for bird life and fish to flourish. There was extensive use of natural vegetation, flora and fauna. The Els Club is also currently testing Solar Panel golf carts to reduce electricity consumption and emissions. About Troon Golf Troon Golf has earned a reputation for having pristine golf course conditions, personalized member service, outstanding food and beverage experiences and world-class retail offerings to its facilities. This reputation has helped Troon Golf fulfil its mission and win the loyalty of millions of golfers. Its portfolio now incorporates prestigious golf courses, resort and private club developments right across the United States and stretching from islands in the Caribbean to the deserts of Dubai, as well as Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia, Great Britain and continental Europe. ENDS
About Dubai Sports City Dubai Sports City (DSC), the cornerstone project of Dubailand, is a USD 4 billion, 50 million square feet mixed-use development which will be the world s first integrated purpose-built sports city. The development will be built around five major sports venues: a 60,000 capacity multi-purpose outdoor stadium for football, rugby, track and field and other sports and non-sports events a 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena suitable for all hard court sports as well as concerts and other events and also including a removable ice rink a 25,000 capacity cricket stadium, expandable to 30,000, with state-of-the-art facilities for players, match officials, VIPs, spectators and the media a 5,000 seat field hockey stadium a 72-par, 18-hole championship golf course designed by South African star Ernie Els In addition to the stadia, Dubai Sports City will feature a series of major sports academy facilities including: Dubai Sports City Football Academy, the home of Manchester United Soccer Schools, Dubai a David Lloyd Tennis Academy a Butch Harmon School of Golf, the first such facility outside the United States the International Cricket Council s own ICC Global Cricket Academy the WorldHockey Academy, a first of its kind partnership with the International Hockey Federation top class multi-sport training facilities including gymnasium and a 50 metre swimming pool a world-renowned sports medicine and rehabilitation centre Designed as a lifestyle development, Dubai Sports City will also feature comprehensive community facilities including: Next Generation Country Club and spa facility a large-scale shopping mall two retail hubs offering up-scale dining and boutique shopping a range of schools medical facilities community centres hotels
For further media information, contact Mikele Ugarte on +971 4 390 1950. About DUBAILAND DUBAILAND, a member of Tatweer, is the world s most ambitious tourism, leisure and entertainment project, catering to the needs of the entire family. The unique 3 billion sq. ft. development has been designed to catalyze the position of Dubai as an international hub of family tourism, appealing to tourist segments across genders, age group, world regions and activity preferences. DUBAILAND is projected to attract millions of tourists annually from around the world. The diverse projects under DUBAILAND include theme parks, eco-tourism projects, shopping malls, restaurants and residential units that are being developed by UAE, GCC and international investors. A product of extraordinary vision, DUBAILAND will be an attractive place to live, work and play for the emirate s growing population, both as a leisure destination and an appropriate setting for business and entertainment development. For further media information, contact Aseel Nihad, JIWIN, on +971 50 788 7853