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Golfing Environment
The Taba Heights Golf Course goes through a
staggering 4,000 cubic metres of water each day to
keep the greens in the pristine condition that players
have come to expect of their favourite course, despite
its desert location. This begs the question: where does
it all come from
Water is delivered to Taba Heights in three different
ways to make the best possible use of the natural
resources available. The Red Sea is the main source
of water: 13 salt wells collect water that is piped
into a desalination plant, where the salt is removed
by reverse osmosis to produce tap water. Another
source is waste water, which is stringently cleaned by
separating the solids, injecting water with air to allow
bacteria to aid in the purification process, and adding
chlorine for safety. All of this water is then pumped
into the largest of the lakes on the golf course. Last but
not least, five wells were bored 800 metres into the
ground to pump water from the mountains and bring
it over a distance of 26 kilometres to Taba Heights.
Ground water is used exclusively for irrigation around
the resort and on the golf course.
Making the most of this precious resource is vital,
and a cactus garden was recently planted to present
a visually pleasing setting that is sympathetic to the
surroundings while saving water consumption. All this
greenery provides a fertile environment for migratory
birds, many of which can be admired on the greens.
The Taba Heights Golf Course is a beautiful environment,
boasting gorgeous views of the Gulf of Aqaba framed by four
different countries: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. It is—
of course—a place to play golf, but many come simply to admire
the landscape while enjoying a cup of coffee from the vantage
point of the terrace. There would be no such relaxation for me
on that day, though.
Indeed, the Golf Club caters not only to experienced golfers
but also to holidaymaking couples and families wishing to give
the sport a try. The atmosphere may seem a bit intimidating:
in a holiday resort where flip-flops and sleeveless shirts are
the norm, the green is a last bastion of elegance where ladies
and gentlemen brave the sweltering heat in less casual attire to
partake in a game that places etiquette on par with rules.
Fortunately, one-hour introductory experiences held weekly at
Taba Heights Golf Resort make everyone feel welcome to take
their first steps on the green. Golf Pro Magdy Abdel Aziz, who
has played for 33 years and taught the sport for 17, took our
small group of three to the putting practice area and introduced
us to the square-faced putter, the most used of golf clubs.
Magdy went on to explain the concept of “par”. The Taba Heights
course is an 18-hole, par 72 course, meaning that professional
golfers should need an average of four shots per hole (or three
on some holes and five on others) to complete the course.
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