17 TEE BOX Red Sea Global’s Shura Links on track to open in 2025 Grassing and landscape work is underway at Shura Links, a CurleyWagner Design course being developed by Red Sea Global on an island off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Around half of the course has already been grassed with Platinum TE paspalum, supplied from the Atlas Turf Arabia turf farm that was set up as a joint venture between course operator Golf Saudi and Atlas Turf International. A Toro irrigation system is also part of the project. Fairways are wide, expansive and feature subtle movement. Many are set at angles to encourage multiple lines of play, particularly during windy conditions. Most greens are quite large and include features like punchbowls, feeder slopes, backstops and falloffs, as architect Brian Curley has aimed to incorporate the ground game and running shots throughout the layout. “The standout holes will likely be those that play alongside, or out to, the large expanses of waterfront and mangroves, which offer spectacular vistas,” said Curley. “A couple of par threes – six and fifteen – play straight to the sea. And there is a great stretch of holes from four to seven that are in a world of their own with massive open sea views.” Image: Curley-Wagner Design Image: Red Sea Global A sketch of the par-three sixth, which plays towards the Red Sea
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