Golf industry service expert Terrance Mohamed’s career has turned full circle after he was appointed as Al Zorah Golf Club’s new golf course superintendent – nine years after he first held the position at the prestigious Middle East venue.
Terrance returned to the Ajman club, one of the premier golf and lifestyle destinations in the United Arab Emirates, at the start of June and will work closely alongside Al Zorah’s general manager Phil Henderson and golf operations manager Stephen Payne shaping the Troon experience for members and guests in his new role.
The 51-year-old was named as Al Zorah’s first golf course superintendent when the club opened in 2015 and spent three years in the position before moving on to work in various roles in Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Mexico.
Most recently, Terrance was employed as Director of Agronomy for Chileno Bay Resort in Mexico, a Discovery Land Property, leading the agronomy team for both the existing golf course and overseeing the development and grow-in of the new Tom Fazio Design – which will open later this year – and Henderson is thrilled to see him return to Al Zorah.
Henderson said: “This is a real coup for Al Zorah and it’s fantastic to welcome Terrance back. There really is no substitute for experience and there aren’t many people in the luxury golf industry that have achieved what Terrance has in a range of different roles.
“Having worked at a number of high-profile clubs across various sectors including golf development, operations and agronomy, he understands exactly what is needed to further elevate the luxury golf customer experience that we offer. He is known for his attention to detail and I’m looking forward to him playing a leading part in Al Zorah’s evolving story.”
Terrance said: “From a career standpoint, the timing was right to come back to Al Zorah and be part of the inauguration of the new clubhouse, while overseeing the many improvement projects planned for the golf course which will position the property as a premier destination for a world class golfing experience in the UAE.”
Situated a 40-minute drive from Dubai, Al Zorah Golf Club is home to a stunning par-72 layout – which weaves its way through one million square metres of natural mangrove forest and provides a distinctive and most tranquil challenge for all golfers. The course, the first Nicklaus Design project in the United Arab Emirates, has been earning rave reviews and acclaim from visitors and members alike.
Terrance’s appointment follows in the footsteps of Al Zorah enjoying double success at this year’s 59club Middle East & Africa Service Excellence Awards – winning the award for Golf Retail Team of the Year and being named as a Gold Flag Property for the first time in its history – and further underlines the club’s status as one of Middle East golf’s rising stars.
Recent investments along with a vision to make Al Zorah one of the region’s finest golf destinations saw the club make a record-breaking start to 2024 and its popularity soar in the first quarter of this year. This included the number of rounds played increasing by 42 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2023, while green fee revenue was up 30 per cent along with substantial growth in membership.
Excitement continues to build as a state-of-the-art clubhouse nears completion later this year. Offering panoramic views out and over the stunning layout, the clubhouse remains a unique-selling point in Al Zorah’s ongoing story. When fully complete, the golf and leisure amenities will include a purpose-built gymnasium, tennis courts, three restaurants and two outdoor swimming pools. A 350-metre-long driving range and extensive practice facilities all complement the luxury golfing experience, with a 10,000 square metre short game area and new putting green having been completed last year.
About Al Zorah City
The Al Zorah area is considered one of the UAE’s most spectacular tourist destinations in the Emirate of Ajman. Major attractions in the area include luxury resorts on the seashore overlooking the Arabian Gulf and an 18-hole championship golf course. Walkways, jogging, and cycling trails, restaurants and cafes, a marina, beachfront villas and apartments on the banks of the creek, make it the perfect place to visit, live, and play for the whole family. In addition, the area includes the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful natural features in the Emirate of Ajman. It is an ideal destination for lovers of ecological and natural tourism and mangroves, which provide a suitable environment for resident and migratory birds. The abundance of natural water allows for the various plants and tree species to thrive, as well as an abundant ecosystem of large groups of fish and magnificent coral reefs.
Al Zorah Golf Club
Designed by Nicklaus Design and opened for play in 2015. Played through a natural setting as the layout sweeps around two huge lakes. A state-of-the-art clubhouse will complement the beauty of the golf course – set to be completed in 2024 – and is designed to provide golfers and guests with the most pleasurable experience of its amenities with a gym, swimming pools, tennis courts and rooftop bar, as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas.