Gary Player Design has advanced its global portfolio with the opening of the first nine holes of the Gary Player Signature course at DLF Golf and Country Club near New Delhi, India.
“I am positive our course at DLF Golf and Country Club will prove to be an extraordinary addition to golf in India,” said Gary Player. “There is a bright future for Indian golf, and I am happy that Gary Player Design and DLF have made a noteworthy contribution. We are committed to aiding the growth of golf around the world, and India ranks as one of our most important opportunities.”
The second nine holes at the site are currently under construction, and are set to be opened late next summer, completing the 18-hole Gary Player Signature course.
“I can assure you that this golf course will test the tour professional from the championship tees,” said Player. “But it is equally if not more important to give the member who lives here options for enjoyment. I believe we have accomplished that.”
Jeff Lawrence was the senior designer leading the project, and stressed the significant environmental approach taken in developing the site at DLF Country club.
“In keeping with Gary Player Design’s longstanding policy of sustainable course design and environmental stewardship, geo-textile bunkers were utilised to reduce maintenance costs, thousands of trees were planted to reduce the overall carbon footprint, and irrigation needs are provided from a lake fed with recycled,treated water. These are exciting developments beyond the quality of the design,” said Lawrence.
The Gary Player Signature course will be the second course on the site, complementing the existing 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Course, which has previously staged tournaments sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
Gary Player Design worked alongside DLF, a leading real estate developer in India, to develop the course, and Scott Ferrell, president of Gary Player Design, said: “It is truly special to find partners like DLF who share our passion for creating a world-class golf course.”
Gary Player Design is doing a significant amount of work in Asia, with 26 projects currently ongoing across the continent.