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International golfing legend and golf course designer, Colin Montgomerie, was back in Bahrain on Monday arriving directly from Scotland's victory in the Golf World Cup recently held in China.
He was in Bahrain to oversee the construction of Riffa Views Golf Course and to officially sign off four additional holes.
The Riffa Views' 18-hole PGA Championship Course, which the celebrity golfer designed as the centrepiece of the luxury residential development is on target to open in May 2008.
Montgomerie's attention to detail is ensuring that construction is driving ahead and following the specifications of his design, ultimately guaranteeing a place for the course on the world's golfing map.
During his visit, he met Riffa Views Signature Estates and Riffa Views Golf Club management for a progress briefing.
Montgomerie also walked the Championship Course with Robin Hiseman, the chief architect who is overseeing the course construction.
Along with Riffa Views management, they carried out a course inspection to sign off four additional holes (1, 2, 8 and 9) for grassing.
During his last visit to Bahrain, Montgomerie signed off the first five holes which have already been grassed. This means that all front 9 holes have now been approved and will be grassed and growing in by the end of the year.
Richard Browning, Riffa Views' CEO, said: "Having Colin involved in our development lends integrity to our golf course and an international appeal to the signature lifestyle we offer. Not only does he add signature to Riffa Views' Golf Course but he is also fully committed and remains actively involved in the project to make sure all aspects of the design are followed through in the construction stage."
Montomerie told GulfWeekly: "Being the first of a kind in Bahrain, Riffa Views' Golf Course will add a new dimension to golf in the Middle East. I am positive it will become a popular destination for the residents of Riffa Views, local players and golf tourists. The course is shaping up well and I am impressed by the attention to detail and expert input from the team on the ground."
Montgomerie believes in working with the natural contours of the land, so it is not surprising that he took his inspiration for the design of the traditional links-style course from the desert scenery. Some areas of the stunning Riffa Views Golf Course run through the historic Al Hunaniyah Wadi, a valley formed by a dry riverbed, cleverly designed to weave a path through two of the three Riffa Views Signature Estates, Lagoons and Oasis.
Another design triumph is his success in ensuring that each hole has an expansive view as the course is only ever flanked on one side by the development's properties. An important aim in the course design was to minimise the environmental impact.
Paspalum Sea Isle Supreme grass was chosen because it is drought-tolerant and retains its colour in winter. It is highly compatible with Bahrain's saline environment. All landscaping is being irrigated with treated sewage effluent (TSE) and indigenous plants are being reintroduced to blend with the desert landscape.
This will be one of Montgomerie's last visits as the golf course construction is well underway and it is likely that his next visit will be for the official opening of the golf course, which is being built by a joint venture between Nass Contracting and Braemar Golf Development and will include an 18-hole PGA championship golf course and 9-hole short course. Construction on both is on target to open for play at the beginning of May 2008.
Environmental aspects
All landscaping is being irrigated with treated sewage effluent (TSE) and indigenous plants are being reintroduced to blend with the desert landscape.
Paspalum Sea Isle Supreme has been chosen because it is drought-tolerant and retains its colour in winter. It also has a finer leaf which is better for putting and a denser sward better for fairways. It is highly compatible with Bahrain's saline environment.
Social impact
The course will employ many Bahraini's offering training and career development opportunities for them to become skilled green keepers along with many other positions available within the golf operations.
Design aspects
This is a links-style golf course that complements the local terrain and windy playing conditions. Features such as rocky outcrops and wadis will come in to play throughout the course.
The new 18-hole, 7102 yard, par 72 championship golf course has been designed in a traditional links style which takes advantage of the natural desert terrain of Bahrain. Parts of the stunning course run through the historic Al Hunaniyah Wadi, a valley formed by a dry riverbed.
Montgomerie drew inspiration for his design from classic golf courses such as Pine Valley in the United States, Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia and Royal Troon in Scotland, all of which are built on sandy terrain.
