Nicklaus Design enters Egypt to create 27-hole golf course for Palm Hills

World's leading design firm embraces opportunity to design course for world-class resort that features views of Pyramids

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla.-Palm Hills, destined to be one of Egypt's most prominent residential communities, announced today that Nicklaus Design, the world's leading golf course design firm, will create its first golf course in Egypt to serve as the community's centerpiece.

"We are pleased to have Nicklaus Design onboard," said Shehab A. Mazhar, Palm Hills' land planner and architect. "Nicklaus Design is recognized as the industry leader worldwide, and we are excited that they are bringing their expertise and reputation to Egypt and to Palm Hills. To be associated with a design firm that is founded by the greatest player in history, one of the game's great minds, and one of the industry's great course designers adds a great deal of credibility to what we are trying to accomplish at Palm Hills. We believe Nicklaus Design's involvement ensures us that we will provide players with a state of-the-art, challenging and memorable golf experience to complement the desired atmosphere, comfort and luxury every member at Palm Hills will expect."

The 27-hole golf course, spread across more than 275 acres of land near Cairo, will be the largest golf course in the country; thus elevating Palm Hills as the premier golf course destination in Egypt. "The creating of this golf course comes at an ideal time, as its development coincides with the government's efforts to turn Egypt into a golf destination," said Yasseen Mansour, chairman of Palm Hills Developments.

The golf course, part of Palm Hills Golf Club & Resort, will feature expansive views of the Pyramids. The project will enjoy complete spa facilities and a hotel, all of which will serve to establish Palm Hills as a center of attraction for recreational activities and facilities.

Golf in Egypt, although still young by global standards, does have its history and certainly a bright future. Historians have said that golf's roots in Egypt stretch to the late 1800s; however, most say that golf was introduced there by the British around the first World War. By the middle of the 20th century, there were seven fully operational golf courses in Egypt, but it wasn't until the last decade that the country truly embraced the game and a boom in golf development began. With the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Golf Federation, the country began in earnest its promotion of Egypt as a golf destination. With a reported eight courses opening in the 1990s, Egypt now has at least 15 courses open for play and an estimated 10 more under development.

Although Nicklaus Design is widely regarded as the world's leading design firm-with 293 courses open for play in 28 countries-this is the company's first foray into Egypt. Currently, Nicklaus Design has 79 projects under development in 30 countries, and for the last three years has enjoyed more design work on an international level than domestically.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our organization and, hopefully, for Palm Hills and the country of Egypt," said Nicklaus Design President Jack Nicklaus II. "There is already so much history intertwined into this project-with spectacular views of the Pyramids and water for the golf course coming directly from the Nile River. The chance to design a course of this nature is a privilege for our design firm. More important is the opportunity to grow the game of golf in yet another country, and for the developers of Palm Hills to have the confidence in Nicklaus Design to play a key role in that growth is greatly appreciated."

It is expected that construction will begin on the golf course by the end of 2006.

Nicklaus Design is the global firm founded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and owned by the Nicklaus family. The firm has at least 45 courses that have been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists, and by the end of 2006, at least 79 Nicklaus Design courses will have hosted a combined total of over 500 professional tournaments worldwide or significant USGA national championships.

John Sanford partners with Nicklaus Design to create Palm Hills

New golf course project will be the centerpiece for one of Egypt’s most prestigious residential communities

Golf Course architect John Sanford has collaborated with Nicklaus Design to create one of Egypt’s new premier golf facilities—Palm Hills, located just outside of Cairo in Sixth of October City, Egypt. The course is currently under construction and is scheduled to open summer 2010.

Palm Hills represents the first project in Egypt for Nicklaus Design. John Sanford, who is the lead architect on the project, brought in Nicklaus Design to create a unique combination of his design experience in Egypt and Nicklaus Design’s world-wide reputation and experience in golf course design. Sanford has created several courses in Egypt, making him one of the leading experts on course architecture in the region, which made for a perfect partnership with Nicklaus Design.

"Collaborating with Nicklaus Design has been a great opportunity and experience for Sanford Golf Design”, said Sanford. “They have provided us with access to their vast resources and insight into their unique design details, as well as bringing the Nicklaus brand name to this growing golf destination.

“I believe when the course is complete, it will be one of the most unique golf courses in the world, with its ideal location that provides views of the great Pyramids.”

Palm Hills, a 27-hole layout that spreads over 275 acres near Cairo, will be the largest golf course in the country, thus elevating Palm Hills as the premier golf course destination in Egypt. In addition, the course might have some of the best views in the world, as 13 of the 27 holes overlook the magnificent Great Pyramids of Giza.

The course, which rests on 100 percent limestone, required heavy earth moving in designing the course to maximize the routing and strategy. The site offers 150 feet of vertical relief, resulting in several holes that play uphill and downhill, with dramatic views to the Pyramids. The course design also includes six man-made lakes and a series of creeks that create strategic shot opportunities on a number of holes.

Complementing the spectacular golf course, Sanford has also designed a beautiful practice facility complete with a 9-hole short course. This facility has been designed for golf academies and junior clinics.

Palm Hills is also part of "The Club-Golf Spa & Resort," which also features expansive views of the Pyramids. The development will include complete spa facilities and a hotel, which will position Palm Hills as the center of attraction for travelers and golfers from around the world.

Sanford, with his expertise on golf course design in the region, continues to make Egypt one of the leading golf destinations in the world. Palm Hills will be one of seven projects that the golf course designer is working on or recently opened in the country. Other top designs by Sanford in Egypt include Jolie Ville Golf Resort, Taba Heights, Makadi Golf Course, and Hacienda Bay.