Dubai, Sept. 18, 05 (WAM)--Nakheel - the UAE's leadingproperty developer - has joined forces with golfing superstarGreg Norman to launch the first phase of Dubai's premier residentialgolfing community - Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Nakheel, famed for its iconic landmarks such as The Palm, andThe World, is bringing the same pioneering ingenuity to the gameof golf. Launched in September 2004, Nakheel Golf aims to raiseawareness of golf in Dubai on a global platform by developingunique and unforgettable courses.

Inspired by the elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Wind, JumeirahGolf Estates draws on the remarkable talents of some of the game'smost famous names - among them, the legendary 'Great White Shark',Greg Norman. Jumeirah Golf Estates will offer homeowners therare opportunity to live in a community that has been carefullyplanned to meet the needs of the modern family, featuring a varietyof housing opportunities, world-class amenities and premier services.

Beautifully landscaped, the estates will feature abundant parkland,nature strips, lakes and ponds - surrounded by some of the world'smost scenic golf courses.

Phase A of Jumeirah Golf Estates, which occupies approximately375 hectares of the northern section of the total 1,119 landparcel and includes the first two golf courses, Fire and Earth,both designed by golfing legend Greg Norman. Phase A will incorporate10 planned residential communities, comprising more than 1,000individual properties, each set in beautifully landscaped surroundingswith estates ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 square feet. Approximately75% of all properties will have absolute golf course frontage,with the balance facing lakes, nature strips and parks.

Norman, a World Golf Hall of Famer and an Australian legend,is personally involved in the creation of the first Eco-Signaturecourses designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. Both coursesare being created exclusively for Nakheel and will focus on eco-friendlyprinciples and practices, featuring flora and fauna that areindigenous to the region.

Norman said: "Earth and Fire are interlinked with the elementsof nature. They are designed to inspire and motivate playerson some of the most exhilarating fairways and greens anywherein the world. We have worked to achieve a seamless integrationbetween the natural features of the site, the golf course andthe residential community. It is our hope that these two Eco-Signaturecourses will help educate the region on the environmental advantagesinherent in modern design and construction.

"Earth will enhance the surrounding scenery, providing playerswith sweeping views of the development and beyond. For the firsttime in Dubai, a course will have dramatic natural elevations,and native plants will provide environmental balance to the existinglandscape. Fire is designed to be tough and fiery, and it willcertainly challenge those who play it from the back tees. Itwill be a unique golfing experience created with minimal landdisturbance and enhancement of the environment.

"I will be working very closely with the Nakheel Golf team tomake their grand vision become a stunning reality, and in a fewyears time it will be possible to label Dubai as one of the golfingcapitals of the world."Jumeirah Golf Estates will also feature a world-class learningand training academy inspired by Norman, his work ethic alongwith his approach and dedication to practice are legendary. Theacademy will be available to all ages and abilities, a placeof learning where instructors will be dedicated to the developmentof each person's own game.

David Spencer, Director for Nakheel Golf, said: "Nakheel aimsto create an unparalleled collection of courses in Dubai thatare developed with premier superstars, meticulous planning, comprehensiveresearch and a passion toward protecting the environment. JumeirahGolf Estates is a product that Dubai has been crying out for,there were 260,000 rounds of golf being played in Dubai in 2004,but the demand is much more than this. The appetite for the gameis growing dramatically and our courses will be purpose-builtto satisfy the demand from Nakheel's property owners, hotelierson The Palm, and as a much wider-based tourism attraction forDubai."Dina Al Jaflah, Jumeirah Golf Estates, General Manager, said:"Aside from the overwhelming demand for genuinely world-classcourses in Dubai, there is a strong market for properties withinresidential golf developments and this is rapidly increasing.

This trend follows global patterns where consumers want to livein a community that is not only secure but also provides world-classamenities and encourages indigenous flora and fauna. Perhapsmore importantly, properties within golf course communities haveproved to be very sound investments in all parts of the world- we expect demand to be overwhelming."