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Half of Riffa Golf Club’s course was closed recently to allow construction of a new 18 hole championship course to gather pace.
The new course, designed by golfing legend Colin Montgomerie is expected to open in April 2008 and will form the centrepiece of Riffa Views, a residential community consisting of over 900 luxury housing units in three signature estates along with commercial facilities, an international school, a mosque and many other amenities.
“Monty has visited Bahrain on several occasions, most recently in January for the official inauguration of the new course construction,” explained Riffa Golf Club’s general manager Michael Braidwood.
“The course has been designed by Colin Montgomerie Design in association with Robin Hiseman of European Golf Design and the construction is being carried out through a joint venture between British company Braemar Golf Development and Bahrain-based Nass Corporation.”
The remaining 9 holes of the existing course will be closed on August 31 as will the club house and golf academy.
During the closure period, the club house will be completely renovated and extended and the golf academy will also be redeveloped.
A 9 hole par 3 academy course and a country club boasting a gymnasium, swimming pool and tennis courts will be additional features of the new and improved golf club when it reopens next year.
“Construction of the new course is still on schedule and is taking shape nicely,” added Mr Braidwood.
“The majority of the trees have been transplanted out of the immediate construction area.
“A turf nursery has been established and the new strain of Paspalum grass that we will be using, Sea Isle Supreme, is taking root well.
“We aim to make our first harvest of grass from the nursery at the end of July,” explained golf course superintendent Omer Alhaj.
“One harvest will provide enough stolons for around 7 golf holes so we can start to get the grass transplanted and fertilised as and when each hole is completed and has irrigation systems in place.
“Everyone at Riffa Views is looking forward to the completion of our fantastic new course and vastly improved facilities.”
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By Arthur Story
