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King of the green Steve Marnoch talks to MENA Infrastructure about designing world class golf courses in one of the world’s most arid regions. What are the biggest challenges facing golf course development in the MENA Region? Steve Marnoch. In arid regions, availability of water for irrigation is probably the largest physical challenge. Other factors including high initial expenditure, a land hungry development and long-term returns also pose a problem for developers wishing to cash in on the demand for golf. At golfmarnoch we work with some of the world’s best irrigation engineers with specific experience in the Middle East. When designing any golf course, the amount of available water will curtail the areas of natural grass to be developed. Desalinisation plants and the use of treated grey water provide a useful potential water source, but in addition water conservation is critical so weather stations and computer -controlled irrigation systems will help to conserve what you have. I am personally interested in the naturalisation of the course by integrating natural habitats in out-ofplay areas, the use of drought tolerant grasses and even the combination of high quality synthetic grass combined with natural grass. What main components do you believe are essential in making a great golfing destination? SM. For me it is quality throughout in the design, maintenance, management and operations – this is a must for any golf destination. For the golf element, great design naturally, but also different styles of design in different landscape character areas. They say that variety is the spice of life; this is especially true for golfing destinations. Discerning golfers don’t want to play just one course. I believe that they want to experience a variety of styles of courses produced by different designers. Given the view that the UAE alone will have over 20 courses by 2015, these surely cannot all be designed by Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and the like, so why not other internationally renowned golf designers? I completely understand that signature courses are important in providing a brand for new developments but what about the Lee Westwood, ranked world number three? At golfmarnoch we have recognised the importance of signature courses and can offer top name professionals as part of our package. What can clients and contractors expect from recognised International Golf Designers such as yourselves?
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SM. Challenge and charm, a traditional edge with a hint of Scottish links styling. Over the last 40 years of involvement in the golf industry from grass roots maintenance, course construction and management at a variety of venues including St Andrews, this has provided me with a wide and varied experience. Combine this with my additional skill set in landscape architecture and you get a perfect integration with golf course design, not to mention my leading international design name plus a hunger to succeed. As the lead designer at golfmarnoch, I am backed by a massive network of consultant support dealing with every aspect of work associated with a modern golf course destination from agronomy to casino consultancy or irrigation design to state-of-the-art golf simulators – we can coordinate just about every related and even non-related aspect of any golf course development.
“Although I realise that my name will not out-sell the world renowned golf professionals, the combined packages that we can offer with other world renowned golf professionals will produce refreshingly new and attractive design solutions”
A senior member of EIGCA, Steve Marnoch has designed many prestigious golf courses around the world, including one of the world’s most exclusive private gated golf course developments at La Zagaleta, Spain. Now with proposals across North Africa, his sights are firmly set on the MENA Region for future golfmarnoch expansion.
What do you consider developers are looking for in a golf designer in today’s tough marketplace? SM. I guess there would be several main factors and maybe the highest would be brand value but also value for money. Brand value is important for developers seeking to maximise the profile for their development by carefully calculating the cost of the design and the signature names involved against the added value they would get back in future promotion and sales. We understand that branding and merchandising is hugely important and although I realise that my name will not out-sell the worlrenowned golf professionals, the combined packages that we can offer with other world-renowned golf professionals will produce refreshingly new and attractive design solutions. By keeping overheads low and outsourcing where possible this allows golfmarnoch to provide cost effective golf design and project management solutions without any impact on quality. ■
16/09/2010 10:03