With opening day nearing, Gary Player has paid a final examination visit to Saadiyat Beach, the course his firm is designing adjacent to the Arabian Gulf in Abu Dhabi. Owner Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) plans to open the course later in the year.

Player described the course as being ‘at one with nature,’ and using the island's natural environment as the canvas for creating striking landscape design. “The course delivers a real sense of drama by contrasting natural features with bold design statements,” he said during his visit.

Saadiyat Beach will be the first course in the Middle East to have beach frontage. The course will be operated by Troon Golf and will incorporate practice range, Golf Academy and clubhouse, offering a ‘Member for the Day’ experience for golfers on a pay-and-play basis.

“Saadiyat Island is truly breathtaking and the sensory elements of the landscape along with the sweeping Arabian coastline and deep green fairways give the course a real edge. It is a gift to nature,” Player said.