World Golf Hall of Fame named designer visits the Sultanate to initiate the planning process
Muscat, January 20, 2006: The Wave, Muscat, Oman's top tourism and beachfront residential development, has announced the appointment of golfing legend Greg Norman as the designer for its world-class links Golf Course, the first sea-facing course in the Sultanate, during a press conference held in Muscat.
Built on 800,000 square metres, this signature 18-hole Championship Golf Course, will include a Golf and Country Club equipped with sports, banquet and conference facilities. The golf course will also include a Teaching Academy and a driving range. Construction of the waterfront course is scheduled to begin in Summer 2006.
Norman, whose myriad accomplishments garnered him the highest percentage of votes for anyone inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame, is one of the most recognizable sports personalities in the world. His professional golfing career produced nearly 90 international victories, including two British Open titles.
Nicknamed The Great White Shark, Norman spent an astounding 331 weeks as the world's No. 1 ranked golfer. He was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 1986, a feat he replicated in 1993 to join Muhammad Ali and Bj?rn Borg as multiple winners. Whilst continuing to play tournaments, Norman also spends considerable time with his myriad entrepreneurial endeavors. He serves as Chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises, a multinational corporation with offices and businesses focused around golf and golf lifestyle.
An integrated waterfront development, The Wave, Muscat is a unique investment and lifestyle opportunity in the centre of Muscat. The project is a joint venture comprising Oman's Waterfront Investments, which includes the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, the National Investment Funds Company, which represents the Omani Pension Funds and State General Reserve Funds, and the UAE's Majid Al Futtaim Investments.
Speaking of Norman's appointment, His Excellency Abdulla Abbas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Wave, Muscat and President of Muscat Municipality, said: "Partnering with a legend like Greg Norman will help us shape world class golf in the Sultanate and the region. At our course, we plan to offer The Wave, Muscat residents and users an incredible facility unmatched in the region, unveiling a true golf resort experience. To have Greg Norman behind the planning is the icing on the cake."
On his part, Wael Ahmed Al Lawati, Acting CEO of The Wave, Muscat, said: "Partnering with Greg Norman is consistent with our philosophy of associating with the best in the businesses. His expertise and association with some of the most prestigious golf courses across the globe will be invaluable towards making the golfing experience at links course of The Wave, Muscat truly rewarding and memorable."
Al Lawati added: "Greg Norman is admired equally for the power and precision of his golfing exploits, his sportsmanship and also the good natured politeness that he radiates. To share his knowledge for The Wave, Muscat's golf course is indeed a honour and we are confident that we will be able to offer a spectacular course, which will challenge and intrigue all the users."
Norman, speaking at the press conference, stated: "While this is my first golf course design project in Oman, I am very familiar with the region and have been following its development for some time. I believe Oman is poised to experience significant growth in golf and tourism in the next few years. We are privileged to be working with such a great parcel of land, and I am confident that this golf course will blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. I look forwarding to returning to Oman as this project evolves."
Norman's environmentally sensitive approach to golf course design, will lead to the preservation of a nature preserve and the utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) water for irrigation.
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About THE WAVE
The Wave is being developed through a joint venture comprising Oman's Waterfront Investments (representing the Government of the Sultanate of Oman), National Investment Funds Company (representing the Omani Pension Funds), and the UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Investments. Overlooking the Gulf of Oman near the Seeb International Airport, The Wave, Muscat will be a fully master planned community occupying a total area of 2,500,000 square metres along 6km of natural beach. The Wave, Muscat project will involve infrastructure development and site improvement, which will encompass a signature 18 hole green Golf Course, 300 berth Marina, 4 luxury hotels, villas, retail and restaurant outlets.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design
First established in 1987 in Sydney, Australia, Greg Norman Golf Course Design is today recognized as one of the premier signature golf course design firms .Now headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, with sister facilities and personnel in Sydney, GNGCD has opened 51 courses for play worldwide, with an additional 30 projects in various stages of development. GNGCD also has projects in Mexico, Korea, China, Australia, South America, Dubai, Poland and Spain. Greg Norman has long held an environmentally friendly position throughout the design and construction of his golf course adhering to a least-disturbance approach that focuses on every opportunity to incorporate unique existing site features into the layout of the golf course.
For further information please contact
Amer Al Fadhil
VP External Affairs
The Wave, Muscat
Tel + 968 24600034
Fax: +968 24600663
E-mail: amer@ww.thewavemuscat.com
Website: www.thewavemuscat.com
Ayman Al Saleh
Bates PanGulf Public Relations
PO Box 3294
Dubai
UAE
Tel: +9714 295 3456
Fax: +9714 295 1027
E-mail: ayman@batespangulf.com
Website: www.gngcd.com
© Press Release 2006
