Celebrity Golfer Colin Montgomerie visits Bahrain to oversee the construction of Riffa Views’ Championship Golf Course
November 26, 2007
International golfing legend and golf course designer, Colin Montgomerie, was back in Bahrain today directly from Scotland’s victory in the World Cup of Golf held in China. He was here to oversee the construction of Riffa Views Golf Course and to officially sign off four additional holes. The Riffa Views’ 18-hole PGA Championship Course, which the celebrity golfer designed as the centrepiece of the luxury residential development is on target to open in May 2008. Montgomerie’s attention to detail is ensuring that construction is on target and following the specifications of his design, ultimately guaranteeing a place for the course on the world’s golfing map.
During his visit, he met Riffa Views Signature Estates and Riffa Views Golf Club management for a progress briefing. Montgomerie also walked the Championship Course with Robin Hiseman, the Chief architect who is overseeing the course construction. Along with Riffa Views management, they carried out a course inspection to sign off four additional holes (1, 2, 8 and 9) for grassing. During his last visit to Bahrain Colin signed off the first 5 holes which have already been grassed. This means that all front nine holes have now been approved and will be grassed and growing in by the end of the year.
Richard Browning, Riffa Views’ CEO, said: “Having Colin involved in our development lends integrity to our golf course and an international appeal to the signature lifestyle we offer. Not only does he add signature to Riffa Views’ Golf Course but he is also fully committed and remains actively involved in the project to make sure all aspects of the design are followed through in the construction stage.”
Colin Montomerie mentioned: “Being the first of a kind in Bahrain, Riffa Views’ Golf Course will add a new dimension to golf in the Middle East. I am positive it will become a popular destination for the residents of Riffa Views, local players and golf tourists. The course is shaping up well and I am impressed by the attention to detail and expert input from the team on the ground.”
Montgomerie believes in working with the natural contours of the land, so it is not surprising that he took his inspiration for the design of the traditional links-style course from the desert scenery. Some areas of the stunning Riffa Views Golf Course run through the historic Al Hunaniyah Wadi, a valley formed by a dry riverbed, cleverly designed to weave a path through two of the three Riffa Views Signature Estates, Lagoons and Oasis. Another design triumph is his success in ensuring that each hole has an expansive view as the course is only ever flanked on one side by the development’s properties.
An important aim in the course design was to minimize the environmental impact. Paspalum Sea Isle Supreme grass was chosen because it is drought-tolerant and retains its colour in winter. It is highly compatible with Bahrain’s saline environment. All landscaping is being irrigated with treated sewage effluent (TSE) and indigenous plants are being reintroduced to blend with the desert landscape.
This will be one of Montgomerie’s last visits as the golf course construction is well underway and it is likely that his next visit will be for the official opening of the golf course, which is being built by a joint venture between Nass Contracting Co. WLL and Braemar Golf Development, will include an 18-hole PGA championship golf course and 9-hole short course. Construction on both is on target to open for play at the beginning of May 2008.
Notes for editors:
Environmental aspects – all landscaping is being irrigated with treated sewage effluent (TSE) and indigenous plants are being reintroduced to blend with the desert landscape.
Paspalum Sea Isle Supreme has been chosen because it is drought-tolerant and retains its colour in winter. It also has a finer leaf which is better for putting and a denser sward better for fairways. It is highly compatible with Bahrain’s saline environment.
Social impact – the course will employ many Bahraini’s offering training and career development opportunities for them to become skilled green keepers along with many other positions available within the golf operations.
Design aspects – This is a links-style golf course that complements the local terrain and windy playing conditions. Features such as rocky outcrops and wadis will come in to play throughout the course. The new 18-hole, 7102 yard, par 72 championship golf course has been designed in a traditional links style which takes advantage of the natural desert terrain of Bahrain. Parts of the stunning course run through the historic Al Hunaniyah Wadi, a valley formed by a dry riverbed. Montgomerie drew inspiration for his design from classic golf courses such as Pine Valley in the United States, Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia and Royal Troon in Scotland, all of which are built on sandy terrain.
Other interesting information – To allow the maximum use of the new courses, the back 9 holes of the championship course will be floodlit, complemented by a floodlit, par 3 academy golf course.
…Schools in Bahrain accept the challenge – The “Riffa Views Eden Challenge”
November 21, 2007
Riffa Views Signature Estates today announced that 74 private and government schools in Bahrain have registered to participate in the “Riffa Views Eden Challenge”. With a total of 138 entries in the 5 relevant categories this competition is a superb vehicle to reach out to the local community by way of an educational and environmental initiative. This competition involves children from 6 to 18 years and the winning entries will be displayed at the Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS) 2008.
The competition requires pupils to design and create artworks and schemes which demonstrate creativity, imagination and an awareness of environmental issues. The Challenge offers diverse learning opportunities to all school age groups and allows the potential involvement of a broad section of subject areas including, arts, science, technology, craft studies and history.
Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views, commented: “We are excited to have launched this initiative since there has been great interest and support from both government and private schools in Bahrain. The aim of the ‘Riffa Views Eden Challenge’ is to inspire Bahrain’s young generations to engage and interact with their environment. We encouraged children and teachers to commit to this project by bringing together teamwork and community spirit”, mentioned Richard Browning,
“To further augment international interest and excitement, Riffa Views has enlisted the services of Chris Beardshaw, famed for his BBC TV series and for designing award winning gardens. Chris will be playing an active role as the Riffa Views’ Ambassador for the RVBIGS 2008 and he will also be judging the competition”, Mr. Browning added.
By participating in this competition, schools have also contributed to the future beauty of Bahrain, as Riffa Views will plant a tree for each school taking part. The tree will be planted at Riffa Views together with a commemorative plaque bearing the school’s name. In addition, a tree will be donated to each participating school.
Schools participating in the”Riffa Views Eden Challenge”:
Abo Firas Primary Boys School, Ain Jaloot Primary Grils School, Al Amal Special Education Institute, Al Hekma International School, Al Hidaya Al Khalifa Secondary Boys School, Al Hoora Secondary Girls School, Al Imam Al Tabry Primary Boys School, Al Iman School – Boys, Al Iman School – Girls, Al Jazeera Primary Boys School, Al Khamees Primary Boys School, Al Khawarizmi Primary Boys School, Al Manhal Primary Girls School, Al Naseem International School, Al Noor International School, Al Nuzha Primary Girls School, Al Oroba Girls Primary School, Al Qayrawaan Intermediate Girls School, Al Wesam School, Alala Al Hadrami Primary Boys, Alala Al Hadrami Primary Boys, Amena bint Wahab Primary Girls School, Arabian Pearl Gulf School, Arabian Pearl Gulf School, Arad Intermediate Girls School, Arad Primary Girls School, Bangladesh School, Bilad Al Qadeem Girls School, British School, Budaiya Primary Intermediate Girls School, Buri School Primary for Girls, Dilmun School, East Riffa Girls Intermediate School, Fatima Al Zahraa Primary Girls School, Fatima Bint Asad Primary Girls School, Gharnata Girls Primary School, Hamad Town Intermediate Girls School, Hidd Intermediate Primary Boys School, Ibn Al Haytham Islamic School- Manama, Ibn Rushed Int. Boys School, Imam Ali Primary Boys School, Indian School – Isa Town, Isa Town Intermediate Boys School, Jidhafs Secondary Girls School, Khalid bin Al Waleed Primary Boys School, Khawla Secondary School Girls School, Muharraq Secondary Commercial Boys School, New Millennium School, Oqaba Bin Nafea School, Othman bin Affan Intermediate Boys School, Pakistan School – Isa Town, Pakistan Urdu School – Isa Town, Pakistan Urdu School – Manama, Palms Primary School, Quality Education School, Sabaa Primary Girls School, Sacred Heart School – Isa Town, Salahuddin Al Ayoobi Primary Boys School, Shaikha Hessa Girls’ School, Sheikh Isa Al Khalifa Comm’l Secondary Boys School, Sheikh Khalifa Institute of Technology, Sitra Primary Girls School, St. Christopher’s School – Isa Town, St. Christopher’s School – Maqaba, Tubli Primary Girls School, Tubli Primary Boys School, Um Al Qura Girls Primary Intermediate School, Umaima bint Al Noman Secondary Girls School, Umm Salama Girls Intermediate School, West Riffa Secondary Girls School, Yathreb Girls Intermediate School, Zainab Intermediate Girls School, Zallaq Primary Boys School, Zallaq Primary Girls School and Zubaida Primary Grils School
Boris Becker works up a swing
November 16, 2007
Swapping his tennis racquet for a golf club, Riffa Views’ International Ambassador, Boris Becker, shows he is not just a great tennis player as he flexes his muscles in preparation for the AMH Island Classic Golf Charity Tournament of which Riffa Views is the Diamond Sponsor.
Boris will be playing along with Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views, and Hugh O’Shea, Sales and Marketing Director, on the Riffa Views’ team during the tournament. The Golf Tournament is being held from November 15 to 17 under the patronage of His Majesty the King, at his private golf course.
