Maldives’ first golf course to open later this month — but it can’t float

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

MALE: The first golf course in the Maldives will open later this month, Shangri-La has confirmed.

The first course in the tourism hotspot is set to be inaugurated 27 March, offering nine holes on the southern end of Villingili Island.

The 7.5-hectare course will average par three, Shangri-La said, with a green fee of US$80 including clubs.

Amid concerns about the course’s environmental impact on the island’s ecosystem (turtles are expected to be a regular sight between holes six and nine), a spokesperson from the resort told local publications that fresh water would not be used to desalinate the greens and use of organic fertilisers would be kept to a minimum.

Tourism arrivals in the Maldives have nearly doubled in 10 years, hitting a record of over 931,000 in 2011, a figure which is expected to grow again in 2012.

That has led to a boom in development on the islands, and in some cases off them — Shangri-La may be able to lay claim to the first golf course in the country, but it could soon be overtaken by a floating course first mooted last year.

The development plan, a partnership between Troon Golf and Dutch Docklands, calls for a US$500 million floating island, which is set for completion in 2015.

According to the plans, golfers would be able to hop on a speedboat to get to the proposed site, which features 27 holes spread across three islands, all connected by underwater tunnels.

It is believed that the Maldivian government supported the idea of the floating course, noting that the project would be more environmentally friendly than reclaiming land, the tactics used by Dubai for its offshore developments. — AFP/Relaxnews