Architect Dana Fry has spoken to GCA about the new course that will be built on Yas Island in UAE.

Working with developer ALDAR properties, Fry/Straka has been hired to create the second course on the island near Abu Dhabi. However, Fry was quick to point out that the new development will be very distinct from the Yas Links course, which was designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010.

“This will be a true country club for the area, with a focus on families,” Fry said. “There’s no comparison between this and Yas Links – it is like comparing Sand Hills with a high end development course. “

Fry said that the course will look ‘very different’ to Yas Links, and be more of a desert style course, rather than a links style.

While the course will form part of what is intended to be a premier residential development in the region, Fry said that the golf layout will be core, rather than having holes and housing interspersed.

“The course is 18 holes, but only the first nine and the clubhouse will be built at first,” Fry said. The second nine start date dependent is on real estate sales, but land is already set aside, and will play out of same clubhouse, which will be a new 4,700 sq m development.”

Fry confirmed that the site lies approximately four kilometres north of Yas Links, on the island’s north side.

“Planning is to be completed this September 2016, with construction set to start before the end of the year,” Fry added. “Construction should take around a year, with a tentative opening slated for some time in 2018.”