Doak, Coore & Crenshaw, et al in Dubai?

[Chip Gaskins]

I was wondering if any of the current group of architects have pitched, won, or are building any courses in the Middle East.

We have all read about Tiger's new design in Dubai and we all watch the three Middle Eastern tournaments that are played on what look to be pretty mediocre tracks.

Given our recent discussion on how great building a course on two feet of sand...I started to wonder have any of the Middle Eastern money guys recruited any non big name architects (Nicklaus, Tiger) to build courses in Quatar, Dubai, etc?

It looks like it would be decent soil conditions however very flat topo.

Chip-

[Peter Zarlengo]

According to Greg Norman's website, there seems to be a ton of work from his office in the area. Courses in planning or construction located in Jordan, UAE, Egypt, and Oman.

http://www.shark.com/gngcd/portfolio/us_in_progress.php

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Els is working in the region as well.

http://www.linksmagazine.com/best_of_golf/columns/ernie_els/ernie_els_golf_course_design.aspx

[Tom_Doak]

We've had one or two feelers about projects in Dubai, but only via middle men, and I really prefer to deal with clients directly.  That may be unrealistic in Dubai, I don't know.

I would be interested in working in that part of the world someday, but I am not in a great hurry.