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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 22, 2021 8:44:17 GMT -5
Hello all, as you can tell from title I have the small middle eastern country of Bahrain. Bahrain is a group of islands (mostly artificial) in the Persian Gulf. It is dominated by sand, is pretty much pancake flat and has little natural vegetation. The country has 4 golf courses but only one of them is not completely sand. It was designed by Colin Montgomerie as was inspired by links style courses in the UK.
I have tried to make a course similar to Colin's vision but kept a lot of the landscape mostly flat. It includes a large lake with a big island in the middle to represent the main island of Bahrain. Planting will be quite minimalistic to keep with the idea that Bahrain has very little of it's own and will mostly confined to the area around and near the lake. Drier grasses and bushes will be on the more outlying holes and even some small rocky areas.
The course is a par 72 and is just over 7000 yds from the tips and has 4 tee sets. The front 9 has a standard sort of loop while the back 9 has a crossover of sorts. 10th green to 11th tee has a crossover with 14th green and 15th tee.
Pictures will follow when I have time to upload.
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 22, 2021 8:45:54 GMT -5
First 3 holes are done as far as playing and surfacing goes with the 4th hole about to be started. Some planting has been done and I have made my first custom clubhouse. Course also includes a practice green but will not be adding a driving range.
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 26, 2021 6:36:49 GMT -5
As I build this course I have come to the conclusion that no matter what I do it will not scream Bahrain due to the following:
1) Bahrain being so flat will mean poor sightlines and not being able to see the hole in front of you and bunkers will not 'POP' thus making for a very boring course.
2) The lack of natural vegetation in Bahrain means it won't be visually appealing, again making it seem boring.
3) The lack of buildings in the designer that would suit a Middle Eastern country would also mean the course wouldn't really make you think of Bahrain while playing.
4) With only 1 real course in the country to reference it makes it hard to see what style of course would fit in with the countries golfing heritage.
I have therefore decided to use elements from the Royal Golf Club (only course in Bahrain) and adapt it for my own personal styling. I have tried to use bushes and plants that may exist in a desert environment and only a couple of tree types. The area around the lake is more of a tropical style while the holes away from the lake suited to more arid planting. I have also added in some undulations to improve interest in the course so it is not so flat and boring and while not typical of the country it is also fairly subtle and possible with earthmoving equipment.
Pics will be coming shortly to show my progress.
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Post by Drjones306 on Mar 27, 2021 2:31:18 GMT -5
Hey man, fellow Bahrainer here. I reckon there’s some scope for a decent course and environment in Bahrain. I think having one proper course is a good thing, means there’s no stereotypical Bahrain style course, and anyone building a new course there could give it their own twist.
I’ve had a good smooch around on google earth etc and there is some green in the country, mainly palm trees but there are other areas with some other trees and a bit of greenery, so something grows there! Obviously we’re not talking tree lined here but I’d say some trees and planting is acceptable.
The hardest bit as you say is elevation, but I’ve searched that the highest point in Bahrain is around 430 feet, and there’s some higher ground on the eastern side of the island. I’d say a bit of creative license is ok considering the wonders of modern land moving equipment and no restrictions in the Arab budgets! Not big hills, but enough to create a decent sight line. I’ve not worked in the desert theme before so finding this a challenge too. One thing I’m realising is you can’t play a desert course in midday lighting as the course will look pretty rubbish.
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 27, 2021 10:03:50 GMT -5
 Clubhouse  First Hole Overhead  First Hole Tees  Second Hole  Third Hole Overhead  Third Hole Dogleg |
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 27, 2021 10:06:21 GMT -5
 Fourth Hole - Tees  Forth Hole - Dogleg  Fourth Hole - Planting  Fifth Hole - Tees  Fifth Hole - Fairway  Plot showing routing after 5 holes |
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 27, 2021 10:10:47 GMT -5
 6th Hole - Tee  6th Hole - Fairway  6th Hole - Green  7th Hole - Tee  7th Hole - Overhead  8th Hole - Tee  8th Hole - Fairway |
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Post by Drjones306 on Mar 27, 2021 12:01:49 GMT -5
Looks good - I’m using those sandy coloured buildings too.
I’ve just been watching the formula one in Bahrain and spent more time looking at the trees and plants around the track!
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Post by Davidius74 on Mar 27, 2021 13:24:11 GMT -5
If I bothered to watch the F1 that would be all I would have been looking for. I lost interest after 2006 season when Schumy first retired before coming back with Mercedes and have barely watched it since apart from snippets here and there.
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Post by Davidius74 on May 1, 2021 12:44:06 GMT -5
All holes laid down and doing some playtesting to make sure they are playing how I want them to. Then when I am happy with playability and sculpting I will finish off the planting. Guessing overall I am about 55% done.
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Post by Davidius74 on May 14, 2021 12:21:18 GMT -5
Wes, if you like that post you'll love this one. I have not one but four BRIDGES!!!
Also I have been working on planting and even creating a bit more of a rocky look in some areas. Have settled on how I want my planting to look, just need to do it all now.
Course plays just how I want it, which is a plus. If I don't finish the planting and it is bare then that will suit the country anyway.
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