The jutting, rocky mounds at Al Ghazal are cordoned off. Not for one of the club’s World Sand Golf Championships, but for the reptilian wildlife dwelling within.
The only sand course in the UAE has an astonishing historical and ecological heritage despite its nondescript desert setting. Namely, the large iguanas and snakes frequently spotted in the protected archaeological site around the first nine holes.
Funnily enough, the historic site is the government-owned country club’s newest sell, as they ‘tee off into a new era to bring golfers back to Al Ghazal’. Golfers will be pleasantly surprised with what has been lying under their noses all along.
Past excavations of the site have inspired both The Discovery Channel and National Geographic to report on the discovery of two ancient wells, along with large quantities of pottery, arrowheads and small drills used to make beads from shells, dating back 7,000 years to the Late Stone Age.
Desert hare and gazelle, forming the UAE’s largest herd until they were moved to Sir Bani Yas two years ago, may have been hunted at ‘Al Ghazal’ – also derived from the Arabic word for gazelle.
History highlighted, the clubhouse will also be refurbished and spa and kids’ areas built. A Korean restaurant, has just opened next to the floodlit 30-bay driving range that doubles as a sports field for Abu Dhabi Football Academy.
The Al Ghazal golf academy has a first-class repair and fitting centre headed up by Rene Valencia who has repaired and fitted for past US Masters and The Open champions.
But best of all, the club is offering comparatively cheap membership packages for a world-class course that will finally be a credible rival to Yas Links and Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Gold annual membership starts from Dhs4,400 and a ‘Pay and Play’ round starts at just Dhs200.
Membership includes access to the health club equipped with gym, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, three tennis courts and two multi-courts where basketball, five-a-side football and volleyball can all be played.
The frills are nice, but the 18-hole desert course itself, which hosted the World Sand Golf Championship in 2004, is spectacular and extremely high-maintenance.
Instead of greens there are ‘browns’, created by compacting rolled and oil-treated sand every two months. It’s a slow, precise process and each brown takes four hours to flatten with a roller.
No spiked shoes are allowed on the course and each player is given a long brush to drag behind them as they play to erase footprints in the sand. Some players also (somewhat comically) carry a portable circle of grass to putt from.
Numerous water hazards and the challenging nature of the sand course – including the snakes and iguanas – has attracted a number of famous faces such as Nick Faldo, Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie.
Other golf luminaries such as Miguel Angel Jimenez and Matteo Manassero have also played at the club, along with Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the UAE’s first professional golfer.
Pay and Play, 9 holes weekdays Dhs100; 9 holes weekends Dhs130; 18 holes weekdays Dhs150 and 18 holes weekends Dhs200. Gold annual membership Dhs4,400. 18 holes weekends non-members Dhs200. Al Ghazal Golf Club, Airport Area, near Abu Dhabi International Airport, golfclub@adhc.adac.ae www.alghazalgolf.ae (02 575 8044).
Abu Dhabi golfing hotspots
Yas Links
The first links golf course in the Middle East. Spectacular at sunset and designed by Kyle Phillips, one of the world’s leading golf course designers.
Green fees, Dhs450 weekend, Dhs300 weekdays (for visitors). Dhs28,000 classic individual membership. Dhs5,000 joining fee. Yas Links, Yas Island (02 810 7710).
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Home to the iconic Falcon clubhouse and PGA European Tour HSBC Golf Championship where Gary Stal clinched the Falcon Trophy from Rory McIlroy’s reach in January.
Green fees, Thu-Sun Dhs895, Sun-Wed Dhs695. For membership inquiries, email Yvonne Boots yboots@troongolf.com. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990).
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Golf legend Gary Player designed this stunning beachfront golf course that weaves in between five star hotels, aquatic habitat and saltwater lagoons.
Green fees, Thu-Sun Dhs895, Sun-Wed Dhs695. For membership inquiries, email Yvonne Boots yboots@troongolf.com. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, www.sbgolfclub.ae (02 557 8000).
