The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has announced that Saadiyat Beach Golf Course in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is on track to open in autumn 2009.

The 18-hole course, designed by golf champion Gary Player to be 'eco-sensitive', could be the first attraction to open as part of the 15-year, A Dhs.100 billion (£15bn, US$ 27bn) Saadiyat Island development.

Translated to mean Island of Happiness, the project is one of TDIC's flagship schemes to develop UAE's economy by improving tourism.

The 2,700-hectare (6,671-acre) Island, which is 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi, has been designed with the help of US-based architectural firm EDAW to feature seven districts, boasting a variety of leisure, entertainment and residential developments.

The seven areas include the Cultural District , which will feature the Louvre Abu Dhabi designed by french architect Jean Nouvel, the Guggenham Abu Dhabi by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, a performing arts centre, a maritime museum and the Skeikh Zayed National Museum.

Other districts include The Beach, that hosts the Player-designed golf course and nine five-star hotels and resorts on 9km of coastline. There is also the family-resort South Beach district and The Wetlands, which features its own golf course and eco-hotel.

Finally the AL Marina will have the berthing capacity for over 1,000 boats, as well as feature its own selection of leisure and entertainment facilities, boutique hotels and luxury apartments. There will also be 1,000 hectares of open space and parks.

Sustainability is a key feature to the design work. EDAW plans to restore lost mangroves and beachfront ecosystems, introduce mass-transport systems and provide housing for a broad range of income groups.

As part of the 18-hole championship golf course, a fairway bunker has been added to the driving range as well as a range of tee-boxes for all abilities.

TDIC has also recently embarked on a strategic technical services and operations alliance with Troon Golf to operate the two courses.

Troon has a portfolio of over 200 courses worldwide including Scotland's Ailsa course in Turnberry, which will host 2009 Open Championships.