Al Zorah Golf Club, a gem in the United Arab Emirates’ golfing and lifestyle landscape, is gearing up to celebrate this year’s Sustainable Golf Week with a unique initiative that promises to create even more lasting memories for guests.
To commemorate the event, which runs from October 9-13, the resort has pledged to plant a mangrove tree for every golfer who experiences Al Zorah Golf Club this year – with players even invited to make the short journey to Al Zorah Mangrove Natural Reserve to plant the tree themselves.
The announcement comes just weeks after Al Zorah City committed to doubling the estimated 500,000 mangrove trees already on site at the stunning coastal destination. The mangrove reserve spans an area of more than 1,000,000m2 and is a key reason why the illustrious World Golf Awards have shortlisted Al Zorah to be named as the ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ this year.
As well as producing millions of litres of oxygen per day, mangroves are vastly more effective in trapping carbon dioxide than other trees, making them one of humanity’s most valuable tools in the fight against climate change. Particularly pivotal in coastal ecosystems, mangrove forests also help to protect shorelines against erosion caused by waves and storms, while their branches and roots are a habitat for a diverse range of unique species.
Mangroves are more than just oxygen generators; they are powerhouses for carbon storage, acting as one of nature’s coastal shields. They are also sanctuaries for an array of unique species. Their presence is pivotal in coastal ecosystems, and they serve as frontline defenders against the adversities of climate change.
In 2015, Nicklaus Design, the company of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, opened the award-winning golf course that seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings. Set beside the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf and lush mangrove forests, the one-of-a-kind development is not just a golfing paradise but also a haven for biodiversity, with more than 200 species of native and migratory birds among those to call the rich wetlands home.
Across the golf course, Al Zorah’s steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in the eco-conscious actions that have been a pillar of the development’s ethos from the outset. In November 2022, the resort was awarded GEO Certification from GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf – organisers of Sustainable Golf Week – for the first time, recognising outstanding work in the field.
In addition to being shortlisted in the ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ category, Al Zorah is in contention for two other leading accolades at the 2023 World Golf Awards after being nominated to be named as the United Arab Emirates’ Best Golf Course and the Middle East’s Best Golf Course.
Philip Henderson, general manager of Al Zorah Golf Club, said: “Complete commitment to sustainability is key to the future of the sport of golf, but it is also an ethos that runs through every part of Al Zorah City across the board.
“We are also honoured to be nominated in three categories at the prestigious World Golf Awards, reflecting the hard work, talent and investment that has gone into making our golfing product exceptional and sustainable in just eight years since the course first opened.”
This year, sustainability is in the spotlight more than ever in the UAE as the nation prepares to host the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (commonly known as COP28) at the Expo City Dubai. Set to take place from November 30 to December 12, the annual event will welcome delegates and guests from across the globe to take action against the threat of climate change.
For more information about Al Zorah Golf Club’s sustainability initiatives and to explore the resort’s golf and leisure offerings, please visit www.alzorah.ae
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