Former 'Australian Golf Club' CEO to head Dubai's Al Badia Golf Resort

Dubai Festival City, the waterfront ‘city-within-a-city’ being built on the banks of Dubai Creek, has appointed Roger Morris as General Manager of its Al Badia Golf Resort, its championship-standard Robert Trent Jones II-designed course. 

Morris joins Al Badia from Australia, where he was CEO of Castle Hill Country Club and a former CEO of the Australian Golf Club in Sydney. Morris’ tenure in Australia saw him on the management team for two Australian Open Championships as well as a host of other high profile tournaments.

“Al Badia will become a ‘must-play’ course for residents of the Emirates and visitors to Dubai and I aim to have it ranked as the top course in Dubai, if not in the Emirates,” said Morris.

“The course is visually stunning with its use of water and sculpted fairways and has been designed to offer a challenge to any level of golfer making it extremely accessible to play.

“At either end of the handicap scale, all golfers will experience a rewarding and enjoyable game at Al Badia.”

The limited membership/pay and play Al Badia – ‘Land Of The Bedouins’ - course is a championship standard Par 72, 18-hole facility. Later this year it will welcome its first VIP invited guests who will also use a temporary clubhouse and marketing facility created from two of the planned show-homes on the site.

“Roger Morris’ appointment is integral to the gradual opening programme we’re adopting at Al Badia,” said Omar Al Futtaim, CEO, Dubai Festival City. “The invitational programme will provide us with great feedback in the run up to the public opening when the clubhouse is complete in early 2005.

“Roger’s exceptional experience will be invaluable in building Al Badia’s reputation as the foremost course in Dubai not just from its playability, but also from its hospitality.”

Morris commented that his first visit to Dubai was somewhat of an eye-opener having only been exposed to golf in the emirate through televised coverage of the Dubai Desert Classic.

“Most Australians in the golfing fraternity are aware of the Dubai Desert Classic but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the number and quality of the courses in Dubai.

“I’m extremely impressed with the overall facilities here for the golfing community. World-class courses and facilities are open for all levels of player whether a member or not, which makes Dubai a very attractive golfing destination.”

In addition to overseeing the final stages of landscaping and the construction of the iconic Al Badia clubhouse, Morris is also committed to developing youth and national players in the region.

“Having looked at the mix of players on the courses, a drive to encourage more locals to take up the game will be one of the aims at Al Badia,” he said.

“In addition, the more youngsters we can encourage to take up this fantastic game, the more the sport will continue to grow and retain its following throughout the world.”

Aside from Morris’ extensive experience in golf course management, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 by John Howard, Australian Prime Minister, for ‘Services to the Golfing Industry’.