Dream team to build Dubai course

It is a team that will trigger excitement among golf fans all over the world - Jumeirah Golf Estates of Dubai have confirmed that a 'dream team' of Sergio Garcia, Greg Norman and Pete Dye are to co-design their latest project, the 'Wind' course in the UAE state.

Revealing the news ahead of this week's Dubai Desert Classic, Jumeirah Golf Estates said that Garcia will have a significant input into the course, which will be the first links-style course to open in the region. Features will include undulating fairways and traditional pot bunkers, while the course's name comes from the swirling winds that engulf the area and which will add to the links feel of the course. It will be the charismatic Spaniard's first foray into golf course design.

Garcia will be joined on the project by Norman, who is already working on the 'Fire' and 'Earth' courses on the development, and Dye, who is known around the world as one of the sport's foremost course architects. The course is scheduled to open in 2009 alongside 'Fire', 'Earth' and the Vijay Singh design, 'Water'. The four courses will make the Jumeirah Golf Estate the highest profile development in the ever-growing region. The estate will be enclosed and complemented by some exclusive residential accomodation.

"We promised something special for 'Wind' and we have delivered it," said David Spencer, the chief executive officer of Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"Garcia is one of the rawest and most exciting talents in the game today. The excitement and rawness he will bring to the project will be balanced by the experience and expertise of Greg Norman and Pete Dye. No course in the world has been able to bring together three such major talents. It is a truly unique collaboration."

Dye revealed that he was excited about working in Dubai, with his two colleagues and from a professional point of view he said that the opportunity was too good to turn down.

"The Dubai desert provides what every golf course designer dreams of ? a completely blank canvas to work with," said the veteran designer.

"I've always believed that the traditional elements of Scottish golf offer the sternest test for players and that is what we want to create here. You will see the undulating fairways, pot bunkers and protected greens that you'll find on all the best links courses. We're determined to produce a truly memorable test."