== Design and Sustainability ==
== Design and Sustainability ==
[[File:Golf Apartments in Ayla Golf Club.jpg|alt=The manmade lagoons in the Ayla Golf club.|thumb|The manmade lagoons in the Ayla Golf club.]]
Ayla Golf Club was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, integrating the course into Jordan’s natural terrain. It includes a series of artificial lagoons that act as reservoirs for [[groundwater]] irrigation, support the local ecosystem, and serve as stopover points for [[Bird migration|migratory birds.]]
Ayla Golf Club was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, integrating the course into Jordan’s natural terrain. It includes a series of artificial lagoons that act as reservoirs for [[groundwater]] irrigation, support the local ecosystem, and serve as stopover points for [[Bird migration|migratory birds.]]
[[File:Ayla golf club.jpg|alt=An image showing the design of Ayla Golf Club, inspired by desert dunes, along with the green landscapes.|thumb|An image showing the design of Ayla Golf Club, inspired by desert dunes, along with the green landscapes.]]
[[File:Ayla golf club.jpg|alt=An image showing the design of Ayla Golf Club, inspired by desert dunes, along with the green landscapes.|thumb|An image showing the design of Ayla Golf Club, inspired by desert dunes, along with the green landscapes.]]
Ayla Golf Club is located in Ayla Oasis in the city of Aqaba, southern Jordan. It is the first championship golf course in Jordan, designed by professional golfer Greg Norman to suit all player levels, from beginners to experts. [1]
The course was designed in an environmentally friendly way, featuring green fairways and artificial lakes that serve as stopover points for migratory birds. The club spans an area of 800,000 square meters and overlooks Aqaba’s natural and mountainous landscapes.
The golf club includes two courses: an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole academy course. It also offers indoor training facilities, a swing studio, and a pro shop for golf equipment.
Ayla Golf Club has received several international and local awards, including the title of Best Sustainable Desert Golf Course. It also provides group and individual lessons under the supervision of certified PGA professionals.
Ayla Golf Club Location
Ayla Golf Academy and Club is located in the city of Aqaba in southern Jordan, between the mountains and the Red Sea, about 80 miles south of the ancient city of Petra. It spans 4.3 million square meters along the waterfront and is only 10 minutes away from King Hussein International Airport (also known as Aqaba Airport). [2]
History and Establishment of Ayla Golf Club
The Ayla Golf Academy and Club is part of the first phase of the Ayla Oasis project, which began in 2008. Initially, the golf course was planned for the final stage of the project due to its high water requirements; however, it was moved forward to the first phase. The decision to advance construction of the golf course was made after discovering a source of brackish water within the project site, providing an irrigation and maintenance resource for the course. [3] It was designed by professional golfer Greg Norman through his company, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD).
Greg Norman
Greg Norman, known as the “Great White Shark,” is a former Australian golfer who won more than 90 international tournaments, including two major Open Championships in 1986 and 1993. He held the world number one ranking for 331 weeks. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including:
He was also the first player to surpass $10 million in career earnings. After retiring, he founded his design company and created more than 120 courses in 34 countries, with a focus on integrating nature and environmental sustainability. [4]
Norman drew upon his 25 years of experience playing on some of the world’s greatest courses and personally participated in every stage of the course’s design. His approach is based on the “least disturbance” philosophy, aiming to enhance the surrounding environment and highlight the site’s natural features, while committing to sustainability, leaving a lasting legacy, and building connections with players and visitors. [5]
The architectural design of the course facilities was created by Oppenheim Architecture, a firm specializing in socially and environmentally sustainable architecture. [2]
Design and Sustainability
Ayla Golf Club was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, integrating the course into Jordan’s natural terrain. It includes a series of artificial lagoons that act as reservoirs for groundwater irrigation, support the local ecosystem, and serve as stopover points for migratory birds.
Architectural Design
The architectural design reflects the surrounding environment, drawing inspiration from coastal desert dunes. Shotcrete was used to create complex curves, blending the steel structure with the craftsmanship of local artisans. The concrete shell covers the entire interior areas and incorporates ventilation openings, breeze channels, and light filters inspired by traditional Arab mashrabiya and Jordanian patterns. [2]
The Sporting and Touristic Significance of Ayla Golf Club
Ayla Golf Club is the first of its kind in Jordan and is part of the Ayla Oasis project, which aims to promote sports tourism in Aqaba and the entire Kingdom. Its establishment came within the framework of a cooperation agreement between the Jordan Golf Federation and Ayla Oasis Development Company—the entity responsible for developing Ayla Oasis—aimed at supporting golf locally, expanding its regional and international presence, and building national teams capable of competing in major championships. [6]
The agreement focuses on encouraging participation from various segments of society, particularly youth and women, in addition to developing golf infrastructure and training local cadres of coaches and referees. It also includes organizing local, regional, and international tournaments, as well as supporting programs such as “Golf in Schools” and the Jordan Open Championship. The club serves as a central hub for these efforts, offering internationally certified courses and a specialized academy for training players and refining their skills, thereby strengthening Aqaba’s position as a destination for sports tourism. [7]
The club has hosted numerous local and international tournaments, most notably:
- The Korea Cup
- The Jordan Open Championship
- The Arab Amateur Open Championship
- The MENA Tour (Middle East & North Africa Tour)
- The Jordan Mixed Open
- The Jordan Junior Golf League.
In 2024, the club also received several sustainability awards, including:
- Most Sustainable Desert Golf Course Award Globally
- Most Sustainable 18-Hole Golf Course Award Regionally
- Most Sustainable Championship Golf Course Award Regionally
- Most Sustainable Mountain Golf Course
Facilities and Service
Ayla Golf Club includes indoor studios for swing and shot training, in addition to a dedicated driving range. The club also offers a grass practice field for ball striking and a short-game training area. [8]
Alongside the sports facilities, the club features a pro shop offering a wide range of golf equipment and accessories, including apparel, clubs, and other essentials, as well as a specialized workshop for club maintenance and repair.
The club also houses Silica Restaurant, which serves a selection of meals and light refreshments for visitors with views overlooking the golf course. In addition, the club provides golf lessons supervised by certified PGA professionals, available both individually and in groups.
