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Velaa Private Island's golf facility is the Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, a compact short-game course and teaching facility in Noonu Atoll. José María Olazábal designed the academy, which was unveiled in 2014. Contemporary design reporting describes a nine-hole par-three configuration created from six green complexes and nine tee positions, allowing different hole combinations rather than following the structure of a conventional nine-green course.
Golf Monthly reported individual holes ranging from approximately 65 to 180 yards. Velaa's own later description refers to seven holes and nine tees, so the physical configuration should be understood as a flexible academy layout rather than a standard nine-hole course. The facility was designed primarily for iron play, wedges and short-game practice and has offered private tuition and exclusive academy use.
The course is a 9-hole golf course. Designed by José María Olazábal, the course originally opened in 2014. It is open to resort guests. On-site facilities include Golf academy, Short game practice, Golf lessons, Indoor swing studio, Villa.
Velaa Private Island owner Jiri Smejc and his wife Radka developed the Maldives resort with golf included among its specialised recreation facilities. José María Olazábal and his design operation created the golf academy, which was unveiled in early 2014.
The restricted island footprint led Olazábal to create a flexible short-game concept rather than a conventional full-length course. Contemporary reporting describes six green complexes surrounded by bunkering and water, served by nine tee options. Olazábal said the configuration was intended to let players practise shots ranging from mid-irons through wedges and the short game.
The academy was operating by February 2014. Later official Velaa material described it as stretching over seven holes with nine tees, illustrating the flexible way the facility can be configured rather than a fixed traditional routing.
The golf academy remains one of the sports facilities at Velaa Private Island and continues to be presented by the resort as an Olazábal-designed golf offering.
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