The American 51-year-old has been in self-imposed exile for the past four months after his misguided comments and his attempt to take the PGA to task and leverage better conditions and money for players, and he was forced to miss his PGA Championship title defence last month.

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But, following a media grilling during his morning press conference on Wednesday, Mickelson was all smiles as he got back out on the course.

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The left-hander took in 18 holes on a blustery day alongside Lee Westwood and Saudi businessman and chairman of Newcastle United Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

The group exchanged pleasantries on the first tee before setting off on their round.

Mickelson will begin a new chapter in his career on Thursday, when he gets back to competitive golf alongside team members Justin Harding, Chase Koepka and Ratchanon Chantananuwat in St Albans.

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The post Phil Mickelson gets back in the swing at LIV Golf pro-am at Centurion Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

DUBAI- January 28: With Golf Digest Middle East celebrating its 150th issue in January, the future of the global game – and the region’s increasingly influential place within it – has fittingly never been more fascinating.

 The title’s sesquicentennial edition focuses on the rapidly evolving power play for the professional game, including the roles that the freshly-minted DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), the Asian Tour, and the also Saudi-financed LIV Golf Investments are playing in the ever-changing landscape.

To mark the milestone, the Motivate Media Group title has become the world’s first Arabic language golf magazine. Not since the Royal and Ancient game first met grass in the Middle East with the opening of Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course in 1989, has the game here enjoyed a more influential, or culturally appropriate, moment.

It is a particularly poignant moment for His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Chairman of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation since 2018. 

“Following my recent appointment as President of the Arab Golf Federation, these are just the type of initiatives I want to support in my new role,” said H.E. Al-Rumayyan

His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation.

“I am a passionate golfer and therefore I want to introduce this great game to as many people as possible in the Middle East. So, by now having an Arabic language resource which can provide regular updates to an entirely new audience, I am confident that Golf Digest can play its part in growing participation in our game here in the region.”

They are sentiments echoed by Majed Al Sorour, the CEO of Golf Saudi and Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation.

“It’s great to see the inaugural Arabic issue of Golf Digest published in both print and digital. In my roles not only in Saudi Arabia but also as Secretary General of the Arab Golf Federation, I want to support golf’s growth in new markets, particularly the Middle East and I want to work together with other stakeholders to showcase the game’s many benefits to new Arabic audiences. This magazine will help us do exactly that.”

Majed Al Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi and Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation.

Ian Fairservice, Motivate Media Group Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief, is proud of the multi-media company’s ongoing contribution to the growth of the game across the Middle East. 

“The first edition of Golf Digest Middle East was published before the launch of the Race to Dubai in 2009 and the title, along with others in the Motivate Media Group stable, has proudly partnered the golf industry on the incredible journey the game has taken in the Middle East ever since,” Fairservice said.

“Golf Saudi’s emergence as a true force in the game, in the region and beyond, has been a huge part of the story in recent years and we’re proud to enhance the Kingdom’s golf journey with the world’s first Arabic golf title. It illustrates our commitment to helping Golf Saudi grow the game in what is undoubtedly the most progressive new golf market in the world.”

Scroll the historic issue in this browser or download it for FREE HERE and to stay up to date with all the latest developments, from the alignment of the regional developmental MENA Tour with the Asian Tour, to the DP World Tour-PGA Tour alliance fighting traditions’ corner against the Greg Norman-front LIV Golf.  

The post Golf Digest proudly becomes world’s first Arabic language golf magazine 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
A new 27-hole Greg Norman-designed layout earmarked near the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh has moved a step closer to realisation after a collaboration was signed on the sidelines of the Golf Saudi Summit on Tuesday.

Golf Saudi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) which announced plans to build the club in Wadi Safar, Diriyah, last September.

It will be the centrepiece of an “exclusive” new residential district being developed in the Wadi Safar valley 30 minutes north-west of the centre of Riyadh.

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DGDA signed a deal with the Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) Company at the Open Hearts, Open Doors event in September. The MoU tasks Golf Saudi with providing technical and management services to bring the golf project to fruition.

The two entities will form a joint working team, with specialists from both sides set to “activate areas of collaboration as envisioned in the memorandum” and to “reinforce sports and increase leisure and tourism activities for Saudi citizens, residents, and tourists.”

The MoU, which was signed in the presence of His Excellency Yasir Al Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi, and Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of DGDA, took place during the Golf Saudi Summit in in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

“Diriyah is set to become a global cultural icon and one of the world’s greatest gathering places. A mixed-use traditional urban community which celebrates the rich cultural history of Saudi Arabia,” said Inzerillo.

“Diriyah, Riyadh’s new global cultural and lifestyle destination, will be home to leading luxury and lifestyle retail brands as well as over 100 cafes and restaurants and world-class events. With Saudi Arabia swiftly establishing itself as one of the world’s most dynamic golf markets, we are incredibly excited about our partnership which fits into our mission to make Diriyah a global icon and a must-visit destination.”

His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, said: “This partnership demonstrates the ambition of the Kingdom to become a global destination of interest attracting international visitors and we are delighted to be part of it through our partnership with Diriyah Gate Development Authority to bring this sport to life.”

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 socio-economic programme recognises the importance of encouraging physical and social well-being in reinforcing the nation’s ambition of creating a vibrant society with fulfilling lives. Saudi Arabia is making huge strides in the promotion of sports and athleticism in recent years with world-class events including the 2020 Dakar Rally and the Spanish Super Cup.

DGDA’s role in fuelling the Kingdom’s sport remit includes hosting the 2018 and 2019 Formula E auto racing events and the heavyweight title fight between boxers Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in December.

The Golf Saudi Summit has brought together golf business leaders and key industry stakeholders to help Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation to fast-track “new benchmarks” in mass participation, design and management.

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