Six months ago, the world sees the Libyan protests began to spread across the country from the east city of Benghazi. At that time, many felt that the North African nation would soon be released … it would be only a few weeks … or even days … Muammar Qaddafi resigned until the provincial director or a frantic escape. After all, it was carried out in neighboring countries, Egypt and Tunisia.
But in the months after rebel forces took control of major cities … Then I saw the change to regain control in the hands of pro-government elements. NATO bombing was … and against attacks … despite a no-fly zone and other protective measures authorized by the Security Council of the UN … thousands of citizens lost their lives. Arab spring has become a bloody summer in Libya.
During the last week, however, the anti-government forces seem to have many large cities have advanced and we now hear of Tripoli … Gaddafi and that may have escaped. Although still clearly bitter fighting in and around the Libyan capital, it seems now that a turning point was reached, and the Gaddafi regime is really on the verge of collapse. This thought inspired me to revisit the post I wrote six months ago in early spring Arabic.
In a changing world and the golf courses in Libya – February 22, 2011
It ‘true that I write about golf. But I must admit I am finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the serious events taking place in North Africa and Middle East. Popular uprisings that began in Tunisia, and quickly spread to Egypt, now inspires the people of neighboring lands to reject leaders who had once seemed invulnerable. A historical change geopolitical … one that will shape the future of everyone on earth … is clearly underway.
It sometimes makes writing about Tiger and tournaments and the latest trends in fashion golf feel … I do not know … some ridiculously irrelevant “trivial?
Yes, but I like to write about golf … that’s what I do in this space … and probably that is what readers are a. So while I am in search of what is happening in the world, I always had golf on my radar … and discovered that the game is present everywhere, in some form or fashion.
Right now all eyes are in Libya, where demonstrations are under way, violence is increasing, and Muammar Gaddafi clings to power, he has held for over four decades.
The stakes here are particularly high because the great nation of North Africa is a major producer of oil in the world and its ruler under siege is one of the most unpredictable of the planet.
In spite of its rich historical past and the extraordinary archaeological sites, tourism is not very well developed, mainly in Libya capriciousness leader. International hotels are scarce … non-existent. Actually, Marriot, opened its first global brand is the property of the country, at JW Marriott Hotel in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, just two weeks ago. As a result, the four golf courses are not exactly count on tourists to fill open departure times.
Golfers are mainly outside Finland in Libya. You will also find Libyans who has learned to play while caddying oil company executives, who presented the courses in the country in the 60s. ~ Golf Club, held in Tripoli, or Tajura Tripoli Golf Club, both 18-hole courses. Course also in Eastern urban health care professional and the oil refinery city of Brega. The courses are all sand and ex-patriot expatarrivals.com site meets them together … “Given the high level of golfer is not very demanding, but not bad beautiful day distractions.”
I have been hard to find pictures of one of them. The photo at the top of the page is from The Wrigs in Libya, a blog that chronicles the adventures of a Canadian family living in expat life in Benghazi. It is part of a post written in August 2008, and the caption reads:
“This is an 18 hole golf course, opposite Al Fadeel hotel. Par 68 course. We have yet to play, but plan to do it. They recently added a second ATCO trailer and painted the clubhouse and made upgrades to make boxes.” Since it seems Wrigs never get to play the desert, of course … and the last post … from a few days ago … explains their reluctant departure from Bengazhi. They return to Canada until further notice, in front of Libya’s increasing violence.
The prospect of a new government in Libya … open international tourism … must be very tempting for developers of golf course. With some of the best preserved archaeological sites in the world, a vast coastline and a Mediterranean climate, the country would be a perfect place to play golf … many of them … and architects are ambitious, you undoubtedly think that if the type of government came in, oil producers in Libya could become the next Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Unfortunately, the arrogant Colonel Gaddafi seems prepared to use extreme violence in his attempts to tell the government, and the road to the future of Libya as an international destination for golf tourism could be long and dangerous. We’ll see what happens in the days and weeks to come, and hoping for the best.
Updates: JW Marriott Hotel, Tripoli has reportedly been taken by snipers. There are also reports that it is in flames. This afternoon, the hotel’s website posted this: “Given the political instability in Libya, the JW Marriott Hotel, Tripoli is the subject of entry until further notice the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority and we will continue to assess the situation .. “
The Wrigs have not come to Libya and do not seem to be planning a return trip in the near term. His blog, The Wrigs of Libya is now called simply The Wrigs and chronicles of his current life in Western Canada.