In 2011 Jumeirah Golf Estates overseeded the tees, fairways and rough on the Earth Course with ryegrass. It was the first time the Earth Course had been overseeded for the event and gave even greater contrast and definition to the brilliant white bunkers and barkmulched landscape areas. It also provided a tougher challenge to the players than was the case in 2009 and 2010, with more of a premium on finding the fairways with tee shots.
Earth Course facts:
- Earth is one of two Greg Norman designed Championship golf courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Earth has 102 bunkers.
- Earth’s water features include 20 lakes and two meandering streams.
- Tee/Fairways/Rough – Ryegrass.
- Greens – Tifeagle Bermuda Grass specially selected for Jumeirah Golf Estates.
- Trees on the course include Ficus, Tamarix, Prosopis, Acacia, Conocarpus and Casurina.
- More than 3,500 mature trees complete the look of the course.
- The last four holes fall just short of a mile and are one of the most challenging and exciting miles in golf.
Course highlights:
- After a challenging first three holes, the front nine’s magical stretch starts from the downhill 253 yard par 3, 4th Hole.
- Moving on to the 5th Hole played uphill, requiring both tee shot and approach to be threaded through a myriad of bunkers.
- The par 3, 6th Hole is played over water to the largest green on the golf course. The 7th Hole, a classic par 5 measuring 584 yards, played uphill with the prevailing wind over the left shoulder that requires the best of playing strategies and an even greater necessity of execution. This middle stretch of the front nine is sure to leave the most skilled player working hard to maintain par.
- Following a varied and complex run of holes from the 8th to the 14th, the players will arrive on the 15th tee at the start of the final four holes which make up what Greg Norman has dubbed ‘the most challenging mile in golf’.
