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Praslin Bay Names Director Of Development

January 16, 2006

PRASLIN BAY, St. Lucia -- DCG Properties Limited announced the appointment of Philip Gosch to Director of Development.

U.K. based DCG Properties Limited was formed for the purpose of developing the multi-phased resort destination at Le Paradis, Praslin Bay, St. Lucia. Situated on a 554-acre converted private estate, this multi-use internationally branded resort will be the premier project on the island and one of the most luxurious in the Caribbean.

The development will include breathtaking ocean views from the residential and hotel components as well as a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course managed by Troon Golf.

In his new position, Gosch will be responsible for all aspects of development at the project, including hospitality, condominium and condominium hotel, residential, timeshare and fractional aspects as well as ongoing asset management responsibilities.

Nakheel Sponsors Dubai Challenge Match

January 17, 2006

Norman, who is designing multiple golf courses for Jumeirah Golf Estates, pictured at last year's Challenge Match.

Nakheel, the UAE's leading property developer, is sponsoring the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa Challenge Match hole-in-one contest and the birdie, eagle and albatross Challenge, offering the opportunity to raise millions of Dirhams for local charities.

Taking place January 31, it is the fourth consecutive year that Nakheel has been a key sponsor. The 2006 Challenge Match sees one of the strongest line up in the event's history, with three of the world's top five players participating. There are six match players in total: Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Mark O'Meara.

Nakheel's sponsorship, as well as helping attract the world's leading players to Dubai, will also play a key role in raising money for UAE charities. The three designated charities for the event are Al Noor Training Centre, Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, and Dubai Centre for Special Needs.

Vellano Debuts Model Homes

January 16, 2006

CHINO HILLS, Calif. -- Vellano in Chino Hills has begun opening its model homes for its private country club community designed around a Greg Norman golf course.

Model homes by Shea Homes in the Destino neighborhood opened Sunday and model homes by Brookfield Homes in the Verdi neighborhood will open next Sunday.

Vellano is set on nearly 600 acres, with 205 homes on large lots, ranging in price from homesites in the high $600,000s to semi-custom homes at more than $2 million.

Strong ALPG Field Returns To Club Pelican

January 13, 2006

Club Pelican on Queensland's Sunshine Coast will again play host to the $200,000 Titanium Enterprises ALPG Players Championship when the event is staged for the second time at the Greg Norman design near Caloundra January 27-29.

Following the event's successful debut at Club Pelican 12 months ago, much is expected of the follow up staging of Australia's second richest female tournament.

Club Pelican's General Manager Carlo Salvato expressed how delighted he was to welcome the event back to the highly regarded layout," he said. "The quality of golf played last year and the manner in which the professionals related to the public who came to watch the event make it our pleasure to again stage this tournament."

Golfing journalist Tom Ramsey, Australia's only judge on Golf Magazine's ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the World, said: "They are fortunate to have such a great course on which to play this championship. Club Pelican is the standout championship layout in the region and in my opinion one of the top 10 in the nation. Club Pelican and its management can be proud of the course renovations which have resulted in its recent recognition in the United States as a very special arena".

CNL To Acquire Grande Lakes Resort

January 10, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Thayer Lodging Group, an Annapolis, Maryland based private equity real estate investment firm, announced it has signed a binding agreement to sell the 1,582-room Grande Lakes Resort to Orlando-based CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc. for $753 million. The sale is scheduled to close in the first quarter 2006.

The award-winning Grande Lakes Resort was developed by Thayer and Marriott International, with construction commencing in the spring of 2001. The Resort opened on time and on budget to accolades in July 2003 and has performed exceedingly well since its opening.

It contains a 584-room Ritz Carlton Hotel, a 998-room JW Marriott Hotel, over 125,000 square feet of meeting space, a 40,000 square foot spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman, all located on a 500-acre site at the headwaters of the Everglades.