Golfers in action at the practice range of Education City Golf Club during the media familiarisation trip, yesterday. Baher Amin/The Peninsula
Education City Golf Club (ECGC) is a place where both the young and adults can hone their skills and fulfil their professional dreams, says an official of the recently-inaugurated facility.
Speaking of the state-of-the-art facilities Mohammed Al Naimi called upon residents of Qatar to take up the sport not just as a leisure activity and keep themselves fit, but take it to the next level by turning professionals.
“There is no age bar to play golf. So anyone can turn up at the golf course and take golf lessons. It does not matter what your age is, our professional coaches will teach you golf,” said Al Naimi, Deputy General Manager at ECGC.
“We are committed to take golf as a sport to the masses. We urge people of all ages to take up the sport as a fun activity, which goes along with the Qatar Olympic Committee’s slogan of Sport for All,” he added.
ECGC is a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf, offering a revolutionary and holistic approach to golf.
The facility includes a state-of-the-art learning and practice facility housed in the Centre of Excellence along with a TrackMan driving range.
Al Naimi , who dabbled into a few sports like athletics, gymnastics and football before switching to golf three years back said the gains of the project will show in the next few years.
“It’s a dream come true for many. It is something for the community for the future - a trend setter not only for the Gulf region but for the entire world as some of the features at the golf course like the Centre of Excellence is a unique one and the first of its kind for golf.”
The facility features 3 golf courses, including an 18-hole championship golf course, a floodlit 6-hole championship course and a floodlit 9-hole par-3 course all designed by two-time major winner Jose Maria Olazabal.
Uniquely the 6-hole championship course has 7 teeing ground options per hole for quick and multi-generational golf supporting the development of golf.
Al Naimi said they have tried to make the course environmentally sustainable.
“We are offering a family oriented experience for the golfers to come to the venue with their families, be fit, have fun and enjoy this sport,” he added. The ECGC official said that education and golf will go hand in hand at the venue.
“We have contacted a number of universities at the Qatar Foundation. The facilities at the golf course are like copy paste of education. We have the (golf coaching) nursery and we go all the way to the sophisticated training methods and analysing, all which you will find at the Centre of Excellence.”
