Nicklaus to Design Course in the Land of the Pharaohs


Palm Hills, a new golf-related development that may become one of Egypt’s most prominent residential communities, has announced that Nicklaus Design will create its first golf course in Egypt. The layout will 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 course, spread across more than 275 acres near Cairo, will be the largest golf course in the country. “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 Yassin Mansour, chairman of Palm Hills Developments.

The golf course will feature expansive views of the Pyramids. The layout will be augmented by spa facilities and a hotel.

Golf in Egypt, although still young by global standards, does have a history and may enjoy a bright future. Historians note that golf’s roots in Egypt stretch back to the late 1800s. However, most say that golf was introduced there by the British around World War I. By the middle of the 20th century, there were seven fully operational golf courses in Egypt.

But it wasn’t until this past decade that the country truly embraced the game and the boom in golf development began. With the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Golf Federation, the country began to earnestly promote 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. Construction will begin on the Palm Hills golf course at the end of 2006.

“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.”

For additional information about Palm Hills, contact Project Manager Mohammad Abdellatif by email at mhabdellatif@yahoo.com, or contact Scott Tolley, Director of Communications for Nicklaus Design, at 561/227-0300 or by email at scott.tolley@nicklaus.com.