Built around a world class golf course design, Erbil Hills will create a centre of wellness and enjoyment in the city unlike anything previously seen. The scope and ambition of this project is a magnificent addition to the urban scene of Erbil.
From an elevated tee you are faced with water on your right, and strategic fairway bunkering on your left. The lay-up area for approach shots is also very narrow, the lake having been brought more into the right side of the fairway, with two bunkers protecting the left side. Should you wish to try and reach the green in two, you will need to be very accurate, as the elevated green is surrounded by three bunkers, left and front, with a runoff area back into the lake. A classic risk and reward hole.
Featuring the first championship golf course in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Erbil Hills Golf Club will also feature 30 exclusive residences that surround the course, and which will offer a new style of green, luxury living in the region. The golf course, designed by Dye Designs, is currently in the grow-in stage with 9 holes due to open in Summer 2022.
In an exclusive interview, Cynthia Dye talks about the project and how all teams have been working together to make Erbil Hills one of the region’s most exciting new golf destinations.
The topography of the land was a major consideration in the layout of Erbil Hills. The site for this project has a large valley running through the whole length of the project. The high end has a 3.5 meter storm drain under a new highway that connects the site to the upper valleys. The golf course is routed along a water detention system in the bottom of the valley. Therefore water is seen by every golf hole but not always in play. The residential villas are located on the slopes overlooking the golf course. Most would think of Iraq as a flat desert but this northern part in very fertile pasture and agricultural land. The large mountain range to the north is only 25 minutes drive away. It is very important to the Iraqi’s to see water and green. At Erbil Hills there is a lot of both.
Erbil Hills reminds me of my experience working in Palm Springs, California. It’s surrounded by desert and mountains in the horizon which makes it a desert oasis. The climate and vegetation are very similar with hot summers and the rest of the seasons perfect. There is lots of green grass, lakes, flowering trees and shrubs, and Palm trees. For these same reasons Palm Springs became the premier golfing destination in the US. Like most golf courses in Palm Springs, Erbil Hills golf course is surrounded by residences. Erbil has a more natural setting than Palm Springs with the golf course located in a valley and the villas on the slopes above. In Palm Springs a lot of earthworks are necessary to achieve this setting. People will come to Erbil Hills to enjoy this special golfing community in the desert.
The biggest challenge is timing. They started construction before the plan set was done. The design of storm drainage system going through the golf course had not been finished. I was always trying to catch up. There was even design changes in the masterplan during construction.
The expansive water system circulation is very important and critical to the quality of the water. But it all got done and the finished product is going to be amazing. Thankfully, we had the golf course rough shaped and had a site review in December 2019 before the Pandemic hit. Also, a lot of the materials were on site before the borders and airport closed.
Because the workers live in a compound on site they were able to continue working throughout the Pandemic. I had to use FaceTime to review the finish shaping of golf holes and greens. That was tough because the reflection off the sand makes everything on site look flat. The landscape materials are being ordered and I like to stake the streets myself, so I hope to get over there soon.
The best way to introduce golf to a new market is to get the families involved. There are 5 sets of tees, wide fairways, and open approaches to the greens to accommodate all ages and levels of play at Erbil Hills. There is a large practice putting green that can be set up as a putting course and fun games. The driving range can be set up as a par 3 course which can hold par 3 events and hole in one challenges which makes it fun for all. It will also be lit for night time golf. Golf social events that are fun and exciting are key to introducing golf to new players.
IMG Golf Course Services is a global leader in the design, development, marketing and management of world class golf courses. For more than 30 years, the group has set the standard for excellence in golf course design and golf club management. IMG’s Golf Course Services team currently provides a diverse range of management and marketing services to more than 25 award winning clubs and resorts.
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100 m Road, Golf Avenue
Erbil Hills District, No: 1
[email protected]
ERBIL HILLS SALES OFFICE
100 m Road, Golf Avenue
Erbil Hills District, No: 1
[email protected]