The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has undergone a sustainable rejuvenation ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, the final event in this year’s Race to Dubai.
With multiple course changes designed to improve the aesthetic and playing experience, one of the notable upgrades is the complete replacement of sand in all 100 bunkers on the Earth Course. In a commitment to environmental responsibility, the additional sand is both new and recycled, with a particularly vibrant white appearance that complements the desert backdrop. On the 10th hole, the bunkers have undergone a more comprehensive refurbishment, to ensure optimal playing conditions and a strategic challenge.
The main playing areas on the course are flanked by wood chips that add a contrast to the green course and sandy desert. To recreate the bright red aesthetic that has become synonymous with the Earth Course, the team has replaced all wood chips surrounding each hole on the course ahead of this year’s DP World Tour Championship. The red-coloured wood chips provide a vivid colour contrast and are all produced on-site by the maintenance team.
Stephen Hubner, Club Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, commented: “The Earth Course is recognised around the world as being home to the DP World Tour Championship and conclusion of the Race to Dubai. One of the course’s most redeeming features is the wonderful colour contrast that we can achieve with the bright white sand and the deep red-coloured wood chips which line the side of each hole – providing the earthy look.”
Stuart Horwood, the club’s Superintendent, added: “It is a huge undertaking for us to totally remove and replace the woodchip around the course and the sand in each bunker, but something that we feel is crucial in order to maintain the famed aesthetic that the Earth Course has earned. It was also important that we completed this task in the most sustainable way possible, so we used recycled sand and produced our wood chips on-site. The team have done a great job of enhancing the course for what is a key date in our calendar.”
The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has been host of the DP World Tour’s pinnacle event for more than 10 years and will remain the host venue until 2031. In that time, some of the game’s biggest names have hoisted the Harry Vardon Trophy, for the champion of the Race to Dubai. In 2022, Rory McIlroy was crowned champion for the fourth time in his career. Other recent winners include: Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and recent Ryder Cup winning Captain, Luke Donald.
The 2023 Race to Dubai is also set to go to the Northern Irishman, as the points standings after Max Homa’s first DP World Tour victory in South Africa mean that world number two, McIlroy, cannot be caught by second placed Jon Rahm. This will mark his fifth Race to Dubai title.
Jumeirah Golf Estates is a world-class residential golf destination offering luxury homes and leisure facilities amidst two internationally acclaimed championship golf courses, creating an unmatched lifestyle experience in the heart of new Dubai.
Set across 1,119 hectares of lush green landscape, the development is an unrivalled destination offering attractive investment opportunities and world-class amenities. With 700 families and more than 1,835 homes, Jumeirah Golf Estates currently comprises of 16 unique communities, which overlook two of the world’s finest golf courses, Earth and Fire.
As home of the annual DP World Tour championship since 2009, Jumeirah Golf Estates rivals the best golfing destinations in the world.
For more information on Jumeirah Golf Estates, head to: https://www.dubaigolf.com/jumeirah-golf-estates
Jumeirah Golf Estates, in addition to Emirates Golf Club, and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club are owned and operated by Dubai Golf. Viya Golf, a business of Dubai Golf, also owns and operates Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and Yas Acres Golf and Country Club in Abu Dhabi.
For more information on Dubai Golf and its properties, head to: www.dubaigolf.com
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