FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 19 January 2012

FIRST NINE OPEN AT NEW EGYPT COURSE

The first nine holes of the El Ein Bay golf development in Ain Sokhna, Egypt have opened. The course has been designed by London-based firm Thomson Perrett & Lobb (TPL), the practice founded by five time Open Champion Peter Thomson.

Egyptian firm Galalah Touristic Investments is the developer of El Ein Bay, which is part of an integrated development including 200 villas and three apartment precincts. “We spent a lot of time with TPL refining the site master plan to ensure the housing has as little impact on the golf course as possible,” said Maged Hosny, partner and general consultant to Galalah Touristic Investments. “As a result, we have a really great golf course that we’re confident people will have a lot of fun playing.”

View of 5th hole from one of the well designed villa's

TPL principal Tim Lobb said: “Ain Sokhna is a resort town about an hour from Cairo – the closest beach to the city – and is frequented mostly by Cairo residents and expats, so we have designed the course to be playable by the widest possible range of golfers. It’s not the longest course, but I believe it will provide a wide variety of shotmaking options, whatever your level of ability.”

Some of the detailed bunkering at El Ein Bay

Lobb highlighted the par three fifth and par five seventh holes as his favourites among the new nine. “The fifth green has strong contours, which will make it challenging for good players, especially if the pin is in the back right position, which is heavily guarded by bunkers, but it is also large, and thus relatively forgiving,” he said. “And the seventh has a large bunker short of the green that acts as an optical illusion. The bunker makes the green appear much shorter than it actually is.”

US-based firm King Golf International was the contractor on the construction of El Ein Bay. The course has been grassed entirely with Platinum paspalum, supplied by Atlas Turf International.

Tim Lobb (TPL) and Tad King (King Golf International) attended the opening of the first nine holes at El Ein Bay

In a separate development, the ownership of El Ein Bay has linked up with an adjoining golf project, the Little Venice Golf Resort, developed by Hassan Allam Properties, to create Golf Club Sokhna. With the nine holes now open at El Ein Bay, and nine holes, designed by American architect John Sanford, at Little Venice, the new club already has an eighteen hole course, which measures 6,968 yards from the back tees. The completion of El Ein Bay’s second nine, expected for later in 2012, will make the club a 27-hole destination.

ENDS

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=igo_mid#/video/sports/2011/11/03/golf-presidents-cup-2011.cnn

The Presidents Cup returns to Royal Melbourne Golf Club in a few weeks.

Go Internationals.

Golf seminar planned for Marrakech

The team behind the successful ‘Golf in the Middle East – The Next Generation’ seminar, run in Abu Dhabi last September, has announced its second event.

Some of the international guests that attending the Abu Dhabi Seminar in 2010

The seminar, entitled ‘Golf in North Africa – Setting The New Standards’, will take place at the Meridien N’Fis hotel in Marrakech, from 9-10 November. As with last’s year’s event in Abu Dhabi, attendance will be free of charge and by invitation only. Guests will include leaders from across North Africa’s golf industry. The keynote address will be given by leading Moroccan development firm Compagnie Générale Immobiliére, which is involved in a number of golf projects across the country.

Golf has a long history in North Africa, but in a crowded golf tourism market, the region’s courses – and developers considering new courses – need to rethink their approach to remain competitive. This need is all the more urgent given the political and economic upheavals that have shaken North Africa this year. The seminar aims to help developers, operators and managers position their region at the forefront of the golf industry, and will include visits to a number of new golf facilities.

Organised by Andy Brown of Toro, Adam Lawrence of Golf Course Architecture, and Tim Lobb of Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the seminar is supported by Braemar Golf and Jennings Turf International. 

ENDS

Click on above link to access our Summer Newsletter, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

TPL will ‘break ground’ in the spring to construct new golf academy at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium

Innovative 9-hole course will be part of the huge Luzhniki Olympic Complex, Russia, Europe’s largest sports centre

(London, United Kingdom – March 14, 2011) Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the golf course design practice founded by five-times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has announced work will commence on the new golf academy at Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex in the spring.

The golf academy will feature an innovative 9-hole par-3 golf course design, with six of the holes sharing two large splash-shaped greens, a driving range and a practice putting area plus a spacious clubhouse with indoor golf simulators.

The Academy sits in the shadows of the famous Luzhniki stadium

TPL principal Tim Lobb said: “To be working on a project that will add another dimension to an already huge sporting complex, and at a venue that could also host some of the games during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is hugely exciting.

“We’ve concentrated on creating a golf facility that will be fun for all the family, and enable the people of Moscow to experience and learn to play golf in a relaxed environment that everyone can enjoy.”

The golf academy is an important development for both Russia and its capital city. It is the closest golf facility to the city centre and further enhances the Luzhniki Complex, which played host to the Olympics in 1980, already boasts facilities for more than 40 different sports and attracts five million visits per year.

“TPL has an excellent understanding of designing golf experiences that appeal to players in new markets, and I’m confident we will create an academy that compliments existing sporting facilities on site and showcases golf to this emerging market,” added Tim.

Dimitry Aleshin, Deputy Director of Development and Commercial Affairs of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, said: “TPL’s design will create a welcome addition to the sporting facilities at the Luzhniki Complex. As Moscow’s first city centre golf academy I’m certain it will be well received and encourage more people to take up the sport.”

For further information about the Luzhniki Olympic Complex project and other TPL projects around the world, visit the company’s website at www.tpl.eu.com

ENDS

Press release issued on behalf of Thomson Perrett & Lobb by Landmark Media International Ltd

Media contact

John McKenzie

Landmark Media

Tel: 01780 752790

Email: john@landmark-media.com

Click on above link for developments at our New Giza project in Cairo.

Thomson Perrett & Lobb to open new African office

(London, England – December 15th, 2010) Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the golf course architecture practice founded by five times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, is to expand its international business by opening a Cape Town office to service Africa.

The new business will be managed by Andrew Goosen who previously worked in the UK practice for four years, but has now moved back to his native South Africa in the newly promoted role of Senior Design Associate.

Commenting on this important step in the development of the TPL business, Principal, Tim Lobb, said: “We have been monitoring the development of golf in this region for some time and the creation of our new African office, coupled with the continent’s growing profile as a golf destination, is a logical progression which will allow us to closely manage both new and existing work going forwards.

“Andrew has already played a significant role in our Egyptian projects, New Giza and El Ein Bay, and we are confident our business interests in Africa, and those of our clients, will be in safe hands with the opening of this new office.”

Andrew added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Tim Lobb in the UK, but the lure of returning to my native South Africa is very exciting. There has been noticeable growth and significant investment in the golf and tourism industry in Africa, and the prospects for the sport are very strong.”

Andrew Goosen in front of TPL's Cape Town office

As part of Andrew’s role, he will also be overseeing a new TPL project in Zambia, which will see the design and construction of an exciting new golf course that forms part of a hunting lodge development spread across 50,000 acres of land.

This expansion also rekindles great memories for the company’s five-time Open Champion, Peter Thomson, who had many head-to-head sporting encounters with the great South African golfer, Bobby Locke. The pair became great friends and toured the former Rhodesia and other parts of Africa, playing a series of exhibition matches during the 1950s and 60s.

TPL’s growth in the region coincides with the announcement that South Africa has been named ‘Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf States Golf Destination of the Year 2011’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

For further information and videos about Thomson Perrett & Lobb, visit the company’s website at www.tpl.eu.com

ENDS

Press release issued on behalf of Thomson Perrett & Lobb by Landmark Media International Limited. www.landmark-media.com

PRESS RELEASE

Thomson Perrett & Lobb to consult on improvements to historic Channel Island golf course

(London, England – November 26th, 2010) Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the international golf course architecture practice founded by five times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has been appointed by Royal Jersey Golf Club to carry out an audit of the historic Channel Island golf course and make recommendations to enhance the playing strategy.

The view from the Napolenic Fort that adjoins the first fairway

Founded in 1878, The Grouville Links, as the course is known, occupies Grouville Common which comprises about 70 acres of rolling, sandy heath land and is bordered to the East by the magnificent coastline which was so admired by Queen Victoria that she commanded it to be named the Royal Bay of Grouville.

Harry Vardon, the six-time Open Champion, was famously born in Grouville, as was another Open Champion, Ted Ray. So the appointment of TPL to review and upgrade the famous links, with its own five-times Open Champion, Peter Thomson, is entirely appropriate.

Coastline, gorse and great golf at Royal Jersey GC

Tim Lobb, TPL principal, said: “The history and traditions of Royal Jersey Golf Club are of paramount importance to us and they are sure to be a key consideration as we undertake our work over this famous links course.”

Among TPL’s objectives at Royal Jersey is the improvement of the bunkers. Design work begins this month with the team working closely with the club’s head greenkeeper, David Crawford.

Golf hugging the coastline. What drama.

David commented: “Thomson Perrett & Lobb are a natural choice for Royal Jersey Golf Club. Not only were they recommended to us and then, subsequently, gave a very detailed proposal, but there were also sentimental reasons attached to our decision.

“Our club’s history and its association with the Open Championship alongside that of Peter Thomson, who won the event five times, is a very good reason to be working together. It will be the first time in 35 years that an outside team of architects has studied the Royal Jersey layout.

Perhaps the most frightening first tee shot in golf.

“One of the key aspects of TPL’s work will be to ensure the course is still a fair test of golf, particularly when you consider how advancements in equipment and golf ball technology over the past 10 years have significantly influenced how far all levels of player hit their shots.”

We look forward to working with Royal Jersey Golf Club

For further information and videos about Thomson Perrett & Lobb, visit the company’s website at www.tpl.eu.com, or visit www.royaljersey.com for additional information about the Royal Jersey Golf Club.

ENDS

Press release issued on behalf of Thomson Perrett & Lobb by Landmark Media International Limited. www.landmark-media.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Gary Firkins

gary@landmark-media.com

Tel +44 (0)1780 752790

PRESS RELEASE

TPL to design new golf academy at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium

Golf to be introduced at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, Russia, Europe’s largest sports centre

(London, United Kingdom – October 19, 2010) Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the golf course design practice founded by five-times Open Champion Peter Thomson with partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has been commissioned to design a new golf academy at Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex.

The Olympic Stadium at Luzhniki, Moscow

The landmark development will introduce golf to Europe’s largest sports centre, venue of the 1980 Olympics and 2008 Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, and which boasts facilities for more than 40 different sports with five million visits per year.

The new golf academy will include a new 9-hole par-3 golf course, driving range, practice putting, family adventure golf, plus a spacious clubhouse with indoor golf simulators.

The Olympic Stadium will form a great backdrop for the Academy

TPL principal Tim Lobb said: “The golf academy at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex will be an important development for Russia. This will be the closest golf facility to the city centre and will be a family friendly and social venue that will enable the people of Moscow to experience, enjoy and learn to play golf.

“It is a very exciting project to be working on and, with the return of golf to the Olympics in 2016, is befitting of the Luzhniki Complex’s vision to be a legacy of Olympic sport.”

Among the Russian sports stars who have benefited from the facilities at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex are tennis aces Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin. The question is, could Russia’s first golf star emerge from Luzhniki’s new golf academy?

Dimitry Aleshin, Deputy Director of Development and Commercial Affairs of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, said: “We were impressed with TPL’s proposals for a golf academy and their skills in precisely realising our vision for this unique sports complex.

Dmitry and Tim at Luzhniki Olympic Stadium

“TPL also has significant experience taking golf into new markets and understands what it takes to make golf an attractive and complementary choice to the established sports in Russia. We look forward to welcoming the people of Moscow to their first city centre golf academy, at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex.”

PRESS RELEASE

Thomson Perrett & Lobb’s heathland inspired Carya Golf Club has been awarded Europe’s Best Golf Course at the Europe & Africa Property Awards 2010 in association with Bloomberg Television, adding to the course’s list of accreditations, including last year’s listing in Golf World Magazine’s Top 100 courses in Europe, just 11 months after opening.

TPL's proud achievement

Carya Golf Club’s Europe & Africa Property Award makes it eligible for the upcoming prestigious International Property Awards 2010, the world’s most prestigious competition that seeks to identify the best real estate professionals across the globe.

As the highest scoring winner in its category (5*), the course, designed by the golf course architecture practice founded by five-times Open champion Peter Thomson, will now compete against other winning companies from Asia Pacific, the UK, Americas and the Middle East to find the ultimate ‘World’s Best’ in each category. These results will be announced at a grand gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Hyde Park, London on Saturday, 27 November.

Carya Golf Club is one of the most beautifully natural site we have worked on

Tim Lobb, TPL principal, said: “When we first visited the site about five years ago, we immediately appreciated Carya’s vision to create an outstanding golf course and a unique golfing experience – and we were honoured to be selected to conceptualise it. Winning such an accolade as Europe’s Best Golf Course 2010 ahead of the other contenders and being nominated for the International Property Awards 2010 that will take place later this year, is definitely satisfying and a testament to the hard work the entire project team has put into building the Carya Golf Club.”

Detailed bunker work at Carya Golf Club

This comes hot on the heels of the course in Belek, Antalya, hosting Turkey’s first European Challenge Tour event for 11 years that saw England’s Charlie Ford walk away with the top prize.

The eye catching par 3, 7th hole

Carya Golf Club, inspired by the classic heathland courses in the UK, was designed to be enjoyed by all golfers. The free flowing holes run between pine and eucalyptus trees and across a dramatic sand ridge. From the Championship tees, the 7,186 yard (6,570 metres), par 72 course, is a demanding test of golfing strategy – while tourists playing from the Regular tees (6,366 yards / 5,821 metres) will appreciate the generous fairways and enjoyable approaches.

Carya Golf Club www.caryagolf.com