Construction has started on the first nine holes of the Yas Acres golf course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, designed by Fry/Straka.

“This first phase is a 156-acre site and is all core golf and serves as the centrepiece for a new housing development on Yas Island,” said Dana Fry.

The development is just a few miles from the Kyle Phillips-designed Yas Links course and will include a driving range and a short game area, with an additional nine holes to be added at a later date.

Fry/Straka prepared the course routing for in 2016, with only small changes made to the lake and stream system. “These were primarily made to create deeper lakes and one lake exclusively to be used for the irrigation reservoir for the course,” said Fry.

“The first nine sits on 156 acres, so we have lots of space to play golf and create memorable golf holes. We are also creating a few big ridgelines up to eight metres in height that bisect through the centre of the property and create separation between golf holes and help frame them too.”

Construction is being handled by golf course contractor Desert Group with Joe Gomez managing the project and Tim McCloud the lead shaper. Irrigation has been designed by Colorado-based Larry Rodgers, with a Toro irrigation system selected. Pure Dynasty seeded paspalum is being supplied by Atlas Turf International. Troon Golf will manage the course. AECOM is handling the management of phase one, which includes the housing development and golf. The golf project manager for AECOM is Ronald Downs.

Fry expects grassing to be complete by late summer 2020, with the course to open in early 2021.