The Kingdom’s first championship golf course opened in Aqaba’s multi-million dollar Ayla development last month.

The developers of the 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed course are confident it will become a big attraction. “Ayla Golf Course is a major tourism enabler for Ayla, Aqaba, and Jordan,”Chris White, Ayla’s director of operations, said in a statement.

The all-grass course features a clubhouse and academy, and is surrounded by residential apartments, townhouses, and villas. The solar-powered facility is also floor-lit, allowing golfers to play even after sunset.

The 43-square-kilometer Ayla development also includes a series of huge man-made lagoons that will give residents and visitors the use of around 17 kilometers of new beaches, as well as a 300-berth marina with direct access to the Red Sea. Up to 4,000 homes are planned for the project, which is being opened in phases through until 2022.

Furthermore, the development bills itself as eco-friendly, as the newly-created stretches of water have attracted migratory birds, turtles, and thousands of species of fish. “The Ayla Golf Course has been designed in compliance with strict environmental guidelines to carefully harness the stunning natural beauty of Aqaba and the Red Sea in creating an unparalleled experience,” said Ayla’s Managing Director Sahl Dudin.