Al Badia Golf Resort design receives praise during Dubai Desert Classic

The Al Badia Golf Resort - which is due to open at the waterfront Dubai Festival City on the banks of Dubai Creek later this year - is to have an iconic clubhouse and academy overlooking the 9th and 18th greens; and with spectacular waterfall views.

Designed by the celebrated Wimberley Allison, Ton & Goo (WATG), one of the USA’s premier design consultants for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries, the clubhouse will feature an atrium spike outlet and indoor dining terrace, a formal restaurant, lounge and mezzanine bar, academy sports outlet, patio, function room, a presentation and dining terrace as well as a viewing and function terrace. It is due to open in April 2005 with a temporary clubhouse in place until then. Rice, Perry Ellis has been appointed as local project architects.

“Being just two kilometres from Dubai International Airport and with framed views over the golf course and its lakes, we see the clubhouse attracting a host of banqueting functions from both the corporate and private sector,” said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing & Marketing, Dubai Festival City. “The academy’s elevated public areas will offer magnificent night views of both Dubai city and the golf course.”

The clubhouse is designed in a wrapping form of golden roofs, stone and blue glass culminating in a central atrium, where an interior oasis is planned and there will be extensive water features throughout. The lower roofs sweep around the terrace providing shade and the use of palm trees perfectly matches the Al Badia theme – which translates ‘Land Of The Bedouins.’

Visuals of the clubhouse design were revealed at the 2004 Dubai Desert Classic, held recently at the Emirates Golf course.

“This is more than just another clubhouse; it will be a focal point of the Al Badia community. The grand atrium is surrounded by amenities, including the restaurant, bar, lounge, pro shop and banquet facility – all having dramatic surrounding views of the course and lakes,” explained Roger Morris, General Manager, Al Badia Golf Resort. “Outside, surrounding terraces offer many vantage points from which to enjoy the spectacular views.

“Visitors to the Classic were very complimentary about the design and most commented that the Al Badia clubhouse will become a ‘must-see’ building in Dubai.”

The Al Badia academy will have a driving range and chipping green, pro shops and a hi-tech swing analysis rooms. Sports and leisure facilities will be available in the planned 150-room boutique hotel on the course.

The limited membership/pay and play Al Badia course, which will have a cart path running throughout, is a championship standard Par 72, 18-hole facility designed by master golf course architect Robert Trent Jones II. Within the next few months it will welcome its first VIP guests who will also use a temporary clubhouse and marketing facility created from two of the planned show-homes on the site.

“The invitational programme will provide us with great feedback in the run up to the public opening,” said Morris.

The entire landscaping of the Al Badia course is due to be completed by the end of May – transforming the Creekside setting.

“We have three distinct landscaping themes running throughout the course which gives it great variety,” said Morris. “There is a coastal theme for the waterfront area, an inland theme, which is reminiscent of forestry, and a stream theme, which reflects tranquillity.”

The Al Badia course has been designed to capture an oasis feel with the expansive use of water features and a touch of the desert created by Robert Trent Jones II’s unique ‘Rivers of Sand’ concept.

Major new developments are now imminent for the Al Badia Golf Resort, which from the end of March will feature three show homes in its Hillside residential district.