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The andalucian-themed Yas Links Golf Course Clubhouse was inspired by the very oldest form of GOLF

UAE: A links course, the very oldest form of golf course, is traditionally found in a costal setting, buried amid sand dunes. First developed in Scotland and Ireland, links courses tend to be characterised by uneven fairways, thick rough and small, deep bunkers, with few water hazards and even fewer trees.

It was these original Celtic courses that inspired the design of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Links Golf Course – and, consequently, the Yas Links Golf Clubhouse. “We had a very flat piece of land; we dredged the channel and used the material from the channel for the rough earthworks of the golf course,” explained Chris White, general manager of the Yas Links Golf Course.

“Our golf course architect Kyle Phillips, who is based in California, has specialised in designing links golf courses. We wanted to create a piece of Scottish or Irish coastline that replicated a links golf course, and that’s what we’ve done,” he continued.

A course inspired by such traditional influences deserved a carefully-considered clubhouse. “It was very important that the clubhouse architecture aligned itself with the history of the golf course and links golf, so rather than having a really modern contemporary clubhouse, we went down the route of a sort of Andalucian villa,” White explained.

“Of course, traditionally, that type of home had quite high ceilings and was very cooling, using lots of stone and natural products. It is purposefully not a massive clubhouse – it is 6,500m², which is quite small for a golf clubhouse. But what that has created is an intimate and warm and almost homelike feeling where you can sit and relax. If you are on your own you feel comfortable and if you’re in a group you feel comfortable.”

The clubhouse started its life as a blank piece of paper in an LA meeting room in July 2008. “We literally put in a bar, restaurant, lockers, pro-shop and lobby, and we built the design around those facilities. Then the architect put his structural and aesthetic skill to it but, again, we’ve got what I believe to be a very functional space,” said White.

Simon Black, an interior designer at Enigma Design, who was sub-contracted to work on the project, explained how the Andalucian theme extended into every aspect of the design, from furniture down to knick-knacks.

For example, custom-made duck figurines capture the rural essence of links golf, while a classic chess board manufactured by Laing Joinery, with pieces from a market in Antalya, Turkey, creates a homely feel.

“We found some bits and pieces in Granada in Spain and Indigo Living supplied the furniture. We had most of the furniture custom made, so we described what we wanted and they made it for us,” Black explained.

Indigo Living was responsible for all FF&E and OS&E. This included the manufacture, supply and installation of all interior and outdoor furniture at the clubhouse, including artwork, accessories, rugs and soft furnishings. In addition, Indigo was responsible for the provision of everything from cutlery and crockery in the restaurants to staff uniforms.