Over 100 competitors from 12 countries took part across five categories; Under 15 Girls, Ladies, Under 13 Boys, Under 15 Boys and Under 18 Boys.

Golfers from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia and the UAE all joined the hosts Saudi Arabia, in an event which marked a significant moment in the global golfing calendar as it furthermore showcased the expanding talent there is in golf across the Arab world.

Division Winners:

Under 13 Boys: Egypt – Abdelrahman Aldefrawy

Under 13 Boys Teams: Egypt – Adam Aboshabana, Abdelrahman Aldefrawy, Adib Shabana

Under 15 Girls: Morocco – Noha Ghadi

Under 15 Girls Teams: UAE – Sara Abubaker, Maya Gaudin, Aasiya Saleem

Under 15 Boys: Tunisia – Mehdi Ben Youssef

Under 15 Boys Teams: Tunisia – Mehdi Ben Youssef, Selim Haouala, Ghaith Rhimi

Under 18 Boys: Morocco – Kamil Bensouda

Under 18 Boys Teams: Morocco – Kamil Bensouda, Aberrahmane Fakori, Sinan Melhi

Ladies: Morocco – Sofia Essakali

Ladies Teams: Morocco – Sonia Bayahya, Malak Bouraeda, Sofia Essakali

Thanks must go to Riyadh Golf Club and the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) for hosting this prestigious event under the umbrella of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF). It is the SGF’s commitment to promote golf in the region and it was clear to see that with the Pan Arab Championship, it has highlighted the emerging talent there is within golf from various Arab nations.

The achievements in each category reflects the high level of competition and the promising future of these Arab golfers.

Images: Golf Saudi

The post Pan Arab Junior and Ladies Championship, successful growth of golf in the Arab region appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Over 100 competitors from 12 countries will be taking part across five categories; Under 15 Girls, Ladies, Under 13 Boys, Under 15 Boys and Under 18 Boys.

Golfers from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia and the UAE will join the hosts Saudi Arabia in an event which marks a significant moment in the global golfing calendar as it it furthermore showcases the expanding talent there is in golf across the Arab world.

Over 100 competitors from 12 Arab countries – Saudi Golf Federation

The stats don’t lie, junior and ladies golf in the region is growing, as handicaps in all categories have seen a significant drop, indicating the rise in skill level across the board.

With the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) hosting this prestigious event under the umbrella of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF) it is the SGF’s commitment to promote golf in the region as illustrated in its detailed preparation of proudly hosting the championship.

Last day of practice at Riyadh Golf Club – Saudi Golf Federation

The opening ceremony is scheduled for today, with the tournament then spanning across the three following days on the 28^th – 30^th November for all categories, with the exception of the Under 13 Boys who will play 36 holes.

This championship is more than a tournament; it’s a testament to the growing love for golf in the Arab world and a beacon of inspiration for future generations of golfers.

Images: Golf Saudi

The post Saudi Arabia showcasing best Arabic golfers to the world appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
What do you get when you mix a Harvard Business School education, investment banking experience, the visionary governorship of one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and deep personal passion for golf?

A vastly experienced, business-savvy, globally connected and wholly invigorated new President of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), that’s what.

His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan ascended to the pivotal role on January 1 and immediately pledged his “full commitment” to helping the AGF’s 19-member nations become even more influential contributors to the growth of golf globally.

The dual Golf Saudi and Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) Chairman’s appointment was part of a double-whammy for the Kingdom as Majed Al Sorour, the CEO at Golf Saudi and Deputy Chairman of the SGF, was announced as the AGF’s new Secretary-General.

Majed Al Sorour

It means the ambitious duo behind the rise and rise of Saudi Arabian golf have now been charged with super-charging the game’s governance and development across the Arab world. 

Further to that noble grow the game mission as an R&A and Arab Olympic Committee sanctioned organisation, Al-Rumayyan believes the AGF is ready to play an even bigger role developing the professional game.

“The Arab Golf Federation represents one of the most important regional clusters in not only global golf development, but worldwide professional golf,” said Al-Rumayyan. 

“Since as far back as the late 1980s, the Middle East has become a catalyst for the game’s growth and enjoys a rich heritage in promoting the sport. This is something I know all members take great pride in and is a driving force in our vision for the future.”

Sport has been a cornerstone of Al-Rumayyan’s career and as the Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – he is responsible for the multi-billion-dollar investment in sporting events forming part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s transformative economic and social reform blueprint opening up the Kingdom to the world. 

With a Harvard Business School education and subsequent experience in wealth management and investment banking, the organisation stands to benefit from Al-Rumayyan’s business acumen as well as a passion for, and substantial professional expertise in, the development of Saudi golf.

“It is an honour for me to take on the role as AGF President. First of all, I would like to congratulate my predecessor His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi on the fantastic job he has done in leading the Arab Golf Federation and thank him personally for his success in bringing the great game of golf to the Arab people,” Al-Rumayyan said.

“I am not only a passionate golfer, but recognise the true value the sport can deliver, across all our societies. I pledge my full commitment to focussing on how the AGF can support the game’s governing bodies, in their mission to develop the game around the world, as well as mobilising our collective resources to maximise opportunities for Arab nations in our growing participation in game’s global future.”

A keen golfer himself, Al Sorour will be looking to bring his widespread business and sporting expertise in his new role at the AGF.

“Thanks must go to Mr. Adel Mohammed Al Zarouni, who I take over from as the Arab Golf Federation’s new Secretary General,” said Al Sorour. 

“I am incredibly proud to take up this new position, given the ever-increasing prominence of Saudi Arabia in the global golf industry and having already worked closed alongside His Excellency at Golf Saudi, I am confident that we will be able to deliver an inspired strategy for golf in the Middle East which sees the sport’s continued growth in the region.”

golfsaudi.com

The post H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan determined to grow Arab Golf Federation’s global influence appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Arab Golf Federation was founded in 1974 and represents the collective interests of 19 member nations, whose mission, which is recognised by The R&A and Arab Olympic Committee, is to streamline governance of the game in the Arab world and enhance the overall development of golf by creating more and better playing opportunities for its members.

Speaking about his appointment to the AGF, Al-Rumayyan said: “It is an honour for me to take on the role as AGF President. First of all, I would like to congratulate my predecessor His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi on the fantastic job he has done in leading the Arab Golf Federation and thank him personally for his success in bringing the great game of golf to the Arab people. I am not only a passionate golfer, but recognise the true value the sport can deliver, across all our societies. I pledge my full commitment to focussing on how the AGF can support the game’s governing bodies, in their mission to develop the game around the world, as well as mobilising our collective resources to maximise opportunities for Arab nations in our growing participation in game’s global future.”

Sport has been a cornerstone of Al-Rumayyan’s career and as the Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – he is responsible for the multi-billion-dollar investment in sporting events forming part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s transformative economic and social reform blueprint opening up the Kingdom to the world. With a Harvard Business School education and subsequent experience in wealth management and investment banking, the organisation stands to benefit from Al Rumayyan’s business acumen as well as a passion for, and substantial professional expertise in, the development of Saudi golf.

Underlining the strength and growth of golf in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the CEO and Deputy Chairman of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, Majed Al Sorour, was also appointed the AGF’s Secretary-General. A keen golfer himself, Al Sorour will be looking to bring his widespread business and sporting expertise in his new role at the AGF.

Majed Al Sorour.

Al-Rumayyan added: “The Arab Golf Federation represents one of the most important regional clusters in not only global golf development, but worldwide professional golf. Since as far back as the late eighties, the Middle East has become a catalyst for the game’s growth and enjoys a rich heritage in promoting the sport. This is something I know all members take great pride in and is a driving force in our vision for the future.”

Following his appointment as the AGF’s new Secretary-General, Majed Al Sorour said: “Thanks must go to Mr. Adel Mohammed Al Zarouni, who I take over from as the Arab Golf Federation’s new Secretary-General. I am incredibly proud to take up this new position, given the ever-increasing prominence of Saudi Arabia in the global golf industry and having already worked closed alongside His Excellency at Golf Saudi, I am confident that we will be able to deliver an inspired strategy for golf in the Middle East which sees the sport’s continued growth in the region.”

The post Golf Saudi duo appointed to top Arab Golf Federation roles appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Brothers Rashed and Sultan Al Jassmy make up two-thirds of a new age-group team set to represent the UAE at the 20th Pan Arab Golf Championships beginning in Egypt on Tuesday.

The Arab Golf Federation (AGF) has introduced a U-13 boys division for the first time with the Al Jassmy siblings to be joined by Abdullah Al Suwaidi in the UAE team at Dreamland Golf Resort in Cairo for the *three-day championship.

While Al Suwaidi will be making his international debut, the Al Jassmy’s helped the UAE to a silver medal in the U-15 teams championship at the GCC Golf Championship. All three have earned the admiration of UAE National Team Manager and Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Secretary-General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi for their hard prep work as part of EGF National Junior Development Program.

“By introducing the Boys 13 & Under Division this is showing how much the game of golf is growing in the region and across the Arab Nations,” said Al Shamsi. “The UAE is taken full advantage of this new division and we feel that our young boys will have a strong performance.” s

Reema Al Heloo, Alia Al Emadi, and Hamda Al Suwaidi will represent the UAE in what is the Ladies 11th edition of the Pan Arab Ladies Championship

Fresh from the Junior Asia-Pacific Golf Championship, Rashid Al Emadi spearheads the UAE U-18s alongside Khaled Al Mutawa and Rayan Al Maazmi. Mohamed Ahmad Makki and Hami Faqihinejad are both set for international debuts in the U-15 team headed by Obaid Al Heloo. Both the U-15 and U-18 divisions are celebrating their 20th edition in 2019.

“Our teams have been working hard over the summer and the past four month in preparation for this event,” Al Shamsi said. “We hosted a summer camp and multiple team qualifiers in order to select the best players to represent the UAE. This year is special for us, and the Arab Golf Federation. We have some new players and with the new division we are hoping to make our players’ families’ and the UAE proud.”

*The U-13s will be played over 36 holes with all other divisions over 54-holes. The championship has team and individual divisions with the top two gross scores out of three in each round counting towards the teams score. The individual category will be scored as the best individual gross score from each division.

The post Al Jassmy brothers headline new U-13 team set for Pan Arab Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.