“Happy New Year! Before we inevitably turn our attention to 2023 and what this upcoming year will bring, I want this to cast an eye back over 2022 and recap on all the incredible achievements we have made,” he said.

“It has quite simply been our best year. We hosted more tournaments than ever before, we raised the prize money in the women’s Saudi International to equal the men at $5 million, we doubled down on our own sustainability goals and we took the game further and to more people across the Kingdom than ever before.

“From my side I was delighted to end the year here in Riyadh for the seventh edition of the PIF Saudi Open. This year was its biggest and best yet, with the Asian Development Tour (ADT) being involved for the first time and a prize money increase to $200,000. Congratulations to Naraajie Ramadhanputra who was this year’s champion and as a result of his success, has qualified for the 2023 PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. Our National Team players performed well and they continue to go from strength to strength and we will continue to nurture their growing talents.

“We continue to grow awareness through the recent publication of Golf Digest Middle East’s fifth Arabic-language edition — on top of a special Saudi November edition to mark the success of the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series.

“Finally, there is the progress of our Mass Participation team, who continue their great work in ensuring that we have a golf ecosystem from the bottom-up here in Saudi Arabia, where people can access our sport and pick-up a club for the first time. The team will be even busier in 2023, as they continue to take in new locations and roll out new activations.”

The post Majed Al Sorour hails spectacular 2022 for Golf Saudi appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In a feature story this week in the New Yorker about the Saudi-backed circuit, Majed Al Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi, discussed how his league would respond should LIV golfers not be able to compete in the majors. Without LIV events getting Official World Golf Ranking accreditation, players could fall in the rankings and lose an avenue to qualify. Potentially, too, the groups that run the majors could outright prohibit LIV players from competing, as has the PGA Tour. From the piece:

There was speculation that the Masters might ban LIV players. “For now, the majors are siding with the Tour, and I don’t know why,” Sorour said. “If the majors decide not to have our players play? I will celebrate. I will create my own majors for my players.” He went on, “Honestly, I think all the tours are being run by guys who don’t understand business.”

In a statement, Sorour said the story “misrepresented” his views while acknowledging his frustration at the “blackballing” of LIV Golf.

“I had a casual conversation with a New Yorker reporter at LIV’s Boston event a few weeks ago, during which I expressed my frustration at the unfortunate blackballing of LIV Golf players by the PGA Tour,” Sorour said in a statement. “When it comes to the majors, tournaments that stand alone and are independent of LIV, I have the utmost respect for the majors. The majors are about history, heritage, true competition and honour.

“The story wrongfully expressed and misrepresented my views. The majors are indeed the best platform where LIV golfers and other tour golfers can compete, despite the PGA Tour’s suspension of our players. As a LIV Golf board member and managing director, I am here to accomplish our LIV Golf investment chairman and the board’s strategic direction by building a team, growing the game and defending player rights. That is my only interest.’’

LIV Golf wraps up its inaugural season with a $50 million team championship at Trump Doral next week.

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The post Golf Saudi CEO issues statement on LIV Golf creating its own majors appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
St Andrews, Augusta, Wentworth, The Country Club and beyond — all steeped in the history of golf. Now here comes Centurion, a relatively new club which has roots in Dubai.

The world watched in early June as Centurion sold-out to 20,000-plus fans for the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series, which is remapping golf as it stands. Then it held the brilliant Aramco Team Series Ladies European Tour competition for the second year, where Bronte Law thrilled the crowds with an epic putt to take the title. 

Why all the fuss? Centurion is looking to the future while embracing the past. Just like the multiple innovative series it is hosting, here is a club that has its eyes firmly fixed on progress. 

Don’t let the tall pines, rolling fairways and even the Roman names for each hole (Hertfordshire is steeped in Roman history) fool you, this picturesque course just outside Hemel Hempstead is a young pretender that is making a history all of its own. You have to start somewhere, after all.

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Over the past 12 months, and particularly over the past weeks, Centurion has thrust itself/been thrust into the global spotlight by hosting the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event, featuring the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, much to the chagrin of the PGA Tour in the US.

But this course was a perfect setting to begin an epic journey. Its fairways are overlooked by tall redwoods and the players’ scores themselves told a story as some of the biggest names in world golf struggled to come to terms with the undulating fairways and right nasty bunkers — with their weird, random contours. Charl Schwartzel prevailed on seven-under over three rounds. 

Alongside the LIV Golf event, Centurion has also gained popularity by hosting the aforementioned LET Aramco Team Series for the past two years, with the most recent event concluding hot on the heels of the Greg Norman LIV brainchild. Quite a fortnight for such a new club!

Golf Digest Middle East caught up with the man behind the whole masterplan at Centurion — a certain Scott Evans who helped set up Dubai Creek some three decades ago when golf was a new thing to the Middle East — on the final day of the LIV Tour event in June, so he could explain the journey and vision. 

“We have 12,000 spectators and 750 members in here on the final day at LIV Golf, 500 staff, 48 caddies, 48 players and one Greg Norman. We can’t all be wrong,” said Evans, Managing Director, co-owner and mastermind at Centurion. And he certainly is looking forward. 

“As a new club we have always embraced innovation. We held the Golf Sixes (a European Tour team event), and we started our relationship with Golf Saudi when we held the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series event here last year,” he added. “I took a call from Majed Al Sorour, the CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation, and he suggested he wanted to do the first LIV event here. It was fantastic.”

Evans’ Scottish twang is familiar, despite his many years away from the home of golf. The Paisley-educated boy has travelled the globe in his pursuit and passion for golf, including taking him to Dubai to set up the Creek club back in the day. But his focus is on the here, now and how.

“We have just had the first Asian Tour event in the UK at Slaley Hall in Newcastle (the International Series — England), then LIV, then Aramco comes back to Centurion again, so why not?,” he asked amid all the flak from the PGA. “It is fantastic, I use that word too much, but it is true. It is laying opportunities for everyone. That’s what it is all about. Where else can you see Asian and Australasian and Japan Tour players mixing with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson? When can you see rookie amateurs teeing it up against the best of the Ladies European Tour? That is what this is all about here.”

It was not an easy journey for Evans and his team as they assembled a course for two back-to-back world-level events with only a few days in which to turn things around.

“It has been a lot of hard work for all my staff to put this together,” he said. “I think our greenkeepers have found out how good they are, and the course is possibly the star of the show.” 

As part of the LIV Tour commitment, $1 million will go into local needy communities, and Evans has this front and centre.

“The local communities will benefit as all the investment will go to very local charities,” he said. “It is an amazing investment and will benefit the whole area in Hertfordshire.”

Charl Schwartzel, Hennie Du Plessis and Branden Grace on the podium in London

Evans was jokingly showing his age when it came to the ‘Formula One’ style aftershow parties that took place just over the 18th fairway from the clubhouse at the fans’ village, as the glitz and glamour took over from the chipping and hacking. 

“I am past my sell-by-date but Craig David was fantastic. He was terrific,” he said. “And we had Jessie J, James Morrison and James Bay. What a spectacle to have here.” 

It clearly wasn’t an easy gig (the whole event, not just Craig David) to put on, given it only came to fruition in February, but Davis and his team were up to the task. 

“It was a momentous amount of pressure,” he admitted. “The crowd doubled from day one to day two, then doubled again to 12,000 on day three. We, of course had a few logistical problems such as water as even we were taken by surprise about the positive turnout here, regarding fans’ feet on the ground, but it is a new tournament and we are all on a learning curve on this road to success.”

In what may prove to be the most profound statement of this first week in a new journey, Davis said: “We got people got watching golf again.”

With the Aramco Team Series hot on the heels of the LIV Tour, there was no let-up for the veteran.

“I might take a day off tomorrow,” he said as Phil Mickelson walked past on the 18th and the shadows crept longer during the final day of the LIV event.

“We are always set up and ready to go. The course is there and the infrastructure is there, we just carry on. 

“The Aramco event has a few changes, in terms of layout and the cuts. Given we have the men here too, it will be quicker, more dynamic and, of course, we will have bigger crowds on the back of the spectacular (not fantastic?) event that has unfolded this week.”

As for the future, Evans is open to innovation. 

“It doesn’t have to be the same week in, week out,” he said. “We can mix it up a bit. Some weeks straight stroke play, sometimes shotgun, sometimes team events. There is no reason why they cannot all be on tour. Freshen it up, make it more exciting for the TV audience and make it more dynamic. I think it might catch on!”

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The post LIV Golf: ‘We got people watching golf again’ — speaking with Centurion’s Scott Evans appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Golf Saudi is working with industry leaders including, the Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE), National Centre for Facilities and Hospitality Management (FHM), and Qaderoon Business Disability Network. In order to create a programme which educates individuals and provides a vast array of roles within new and existing facilities, from Golf Course Management to Greenkeeping and Event Planning, delivering 2,200 new jobs by 2025.  

 In the build-up to this week’s announcement at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund, all parties have been hard at work to develop a joint programme which promotes jobs in golf for Saudi nationals, with varying backgrounds, skills, abilities and age ranges, with the intention of making the game fully inclusive in the Kingdom.  

Speaking during a press conference announcing Golf Saudi’s latest educational development, Majed Al Sorour, the CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi said: “It is my pleasure to confirm that Golf Saudi has launched the first ever Arabic Education and Training Programme, furthering our commitment to make golf accessible to all. We are already upskilling the existing workforce at our corporate office and at our managed facilities, whilst preparing to roll out the programme to school and university graduates, as well as unemployed persons.” 

The programme is open to any Saudi National who can gain access at no cost, providing an unrivalled pathway to one of the fastest growing sectors in the Kingdom. Developed in partnership with CMAE, the MDP programme  focuses on an education for individuals completely new to golf.  

Five qualification levels have been developed as part of the education journey, which can be paused at any stage, dependent on the individuals aspirations and skillset. This includes an introduction to golf, foundations skills for club service, supervisory and team leadership, internships and the pre-MDP programme.  

 Commenting on the Arabic programme, Bill Sanderson, Lead Presenter at the Club Management Association of Europe said: 

“My thanks first of all must go to Golf Saudi for not only implementing this first programme of its kind, but also to the planning and thought process in rolling it out across the Kingdom. This bold move demonstrates their courage to follow through on their extraordinary vision, in terms of making golf an inclusive sport throughout the Kingdom.  

He added: “Thanks must also go to Qaderoon and FHM who will support the delivery of the programme with their networks across partnered facilities, without whom this plan would not be possible.” 

As one of the three pillars of the National Sustainability Strategy, the Social Agenda is focused on the creation of education, employment and leisure opportunities for all Saudis from all age groups. This aim fits in with the signing of the MOU with Qaderoon because as a non-profit organisation, Qaderoon’s mission is to support and enable employers to include persons with disability as equal and effective members of the workforce.  

Amr Khashoggi, Founder and Chairman of Qaderoon Business Disability Network commented: “We founded Qaderoon in 2014 in full alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, to include, recruit, hire and sustain persons with disability in the workforce. We admire the efforts of Golf Saudi in using this sport as a platform to include all fabrics of the society in the Kingdom, and Qaderoon is honoured to work closely with Golf Saudi in expanding this inclusive mindset to persons with disability. We will help through our varied programs of workshops, training, and our career portal to achieve this goal. We bring best practice from local as well as international sources, as we are members of the International Labour Organisation’s Global Business and Disability Network, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and Business Disability Forum, based in the UK.” 

The roll out of the programme will begin with the upskilling of current staff in the Golf Saudi corporate office, as well as its managed facilities, before the roll out of the ground-breaking education programme with FHM. The certification intends to be rolled out in both classes, and through an online platform, enabling individuals with varied backgrounds to find their way into the golf industry. 

Osama Al Najjar, Executive Director, National Centre for Facilities and Hospitality Management, said: “At FHM we are firm believers in diversity and inclusion, to offer exciting opportunities in hospitality and F&B, whilst supporting the development of our students. Therefore, we are very proud to be working with Golf Saudi on this Arabic programme, to enhance the golf industry’s future leaders in the Kingdom”

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Golf Saudi will continue to work closely with CMAE, FHM and Qaderoon, ensuring its programme is available to all. With expertise from CMAE, individuals will be presented with opportunities in the golf industry that have not been seen before.  

The post Golf Saudi announces historic Arabic golf education and training programme   appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The celebration of both women’s golf and inspiring Saudi females will form part of the ground-breaking Ladies European Tour event when it returns to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), March 17-20th.

All women attending the Ladies Day – set alongside the stunning ‘Instagrammable’ backdrop of the Red Sea – can look forward to a free day of entertainment on and off the course, with free golf clinics, LET-professional led tuition, delicious food, gift-packs and the opportunity to meet and chat with some of the biggest stars in women’s golf and motivational Saudi females, including fitness influencer and YouTube star, ‘It’s Always Hana’. 

The Ladies Day announcement was made yesterday at a Media Day organised by the Aramco Saudi Ladies International to celebrate International Women’s Day and to look ahead to next week’s tournament.

Majed Al Sorour, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation said: “Women’s golf in Saudi Arabia is continuing to grow with interest and participation increasing steadily year on year. Using our flagship events, alongside our partners Aramco, we know we can really inspire and empower more women to experience the sport like never before as our journey to transform the sport in the Kingdom continues. Our Ladies Day is open for all and gives an opportunity to either pick up a club for the first time with friends or simply enjoy watching and meeting the world’s biggest stars in the sport in a stunning location.”

Moroccan golf star Maha Haddioui, the first Arab woman to play on the Ladies European Tour, added: “It’s been amazing to witness more and more women get into golf in Saudi Arabia and for newcomers to the sport to message me on social media every time we play here. I’m excited to be part of Ladies Day and to meet future golf fans and anyone wanting to come out and experience this amazing sport for the first time.”

Introductory golf coaching schools will be run throughout the day on the course’s driving range, where the competing players themselves will warm-up before taking to the course. Running from 2pm, the sessions will provide beginners tips and guidance for any women and girls wishing to get into the sport or simply learn more about it.

That will be followed by lunch in the tournament’s fan zone, before chats and selfies with some of the world’s best female golfers and live golf.

The day will culminate with attendees being escorted to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club’s iconic 16th hole – dubbed as one of the most beautiful holes in golf by the world’s best men’s and women’s golfers –   on a range of luxury 12-seater golf buggies, for photos and refreshments over sunset, before the hosting of a ‘Ladies First Fashion Show’ at the tournament’s Aramco Energy Zone following play finishing for the day.

Those who attend will also be eligible to sign-up for more information around becoming a member of the Ladies First Club: Golf Saudi’s free learning initiative for women and girls looking to take up the game. As members of the Ladies First Club, receive a year-round calendar of complimentary golf lessons, full 18-hole rounds and social activities.

To be part of Ladies Day, simply register for a free ticket for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund by visiting www.golfsaudi.com, where you can also discover further tournament information.

The post Free golf lessons, fashion show part of historic ‘Ladies Day’ at Saudi Ladies International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The ground-breaking event will tee-up at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, in just over two weeks’ time – March 17-20th.

It returns with a $1million prize-purse and a superstar field led by defending champion, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.

Major-winners Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall are also KAEC-bound, as are Solheim Cup stars Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law, past-LET winners Marianne Skarpnord, Olivia Cowan, Pauline Roussin Bouchard, Steph Kyriacou and Anne van Dam, and the tournament’s debut 2020 champion, Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark.

The new date means the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF now occupies a far earlier spot on the LET calendar, taking place eight months sooner than usual in a season shake-up that will now see the Tour visit the Kingdom twice, latterly for the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah event, which returns in November.

With the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and the Aramco Team Series expanding to five individual $1million events in 2022, this year will mark a record season for the Ladies European Tour, where its biggest ever pool of prize-money will be up for grabs.

Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour CEO, said: “It’s great to be heading back to Saudi Arabia for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF – and much earlier in our schedule.

“There’s no question that every event we’ve had to date at Royal Greens has been a huge success. The Saudi Ladies International is a week all our players look forward to enormously, with the quality of field and prizemoney adding an extra edge to what is a stunning course and venue for elite tournament golf.

“We also feel the impact of our members playing in Saudi Arabia and the good that’s doing for women’s golf. We all have fond memories of our landmark first event in 2020 which inspired more than 1,000 Saudi women and girls to sign-up to learn the game for the first time over the tournament weekend. We are very proud and encouraged about what has been achieved so far and are motivated to continue inspiring more women and young girls into the game.”

Five-time LET tournament champion Marianne Skarpnord has played in both Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF events to date. The Norwegian was also the individual winner in the Tour’s debut Aramco Team Series event in London last year, another Golf Saudi-backed initiative.

She said: “When the Saudi Ladies International first got added to the LET calendar two years ago, it was a big moment for us as players as it was a huge investment in the women’s game at a time when we really needed it.

“The events have since proved to be some of the very best on Tour, with Royal Greens a spectacular place to play golf, so we all now look forward to them for so many reasons. Bring on this month – and November!”

Majed Al Sorour is Deputy Chairman and CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation. He said: “We are thrilled to be once again inviting the best golfers in the world here to King Abdullah Economic City to compete in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF.

“Our ambition with all our flagship golf events is to elevate the game on a global scale and to inspire what we see as being the first generation of homegrown golfers in Saudi Arabia. Both Saudi Ladies Internationals to date have been incredible and helped to take women’s golf to that next level, while having a direct impact on golf on the ground level here in Saudi Arabia.”

Talal Al-Marri, General Manager of Public Affairs at tournament sponsor Aramco, said: “Events like this help to break boundaries in sport and we are thrilled to be part of it. The tournament has already changed the landscape of the women’s game and it aligns with our efforts to champion female empowerment at Aramco.

“Our sponsorship also represents the continuation of our association with the sport that dates back to the 1940s, when Aramco built the first golf course in the Kingdom.”

The post Champion Lydia Ko confirmed for 2022 Aramco Saudi Ladies International as $1million LET event returns this month 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.

By Kent Gray
Golf Saudi has become the latest member of the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA).

EDGA is considered globally to be the foremost experts on golf for persons of disability and will therefore look to work with Golf Saudi to promote golf for all Saudi players with disabilities, regardless of their ability. 

In the build-up to the announcement at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, both parties had been hard at work to develop a joint programme which promotes golf to Saudi citizens with varying disabilities, with the intention of making the game fully inclusive in the Kingdom. 

Speaking during a press conference announcing Golf Saudi’s membership of EDGA, Majed Al Sorour, the CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi said: “It is my pleasure to confirm that Golf Saudi has become a member of EDGA, furthering our commitment to make golf accessible to all. As an organisation, EDGA is considered globally to be the foremost expert on golf for people with disabilities and we will therefore look to work with them to promote golf for all in Saudi. I am delighted that we’ve been able to welcome here in KAEC, Mark Taylor, EDGA’s Head of Development, who has over the past week been training our Golf Saudi coaches to deliver tailored training sessions.” 

A two-day training programme was initially held in Riyadh with Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation coaches and other volunteers working in the Saudi disability space. With another two days of training held for other PGA qualified coaches, who are already based in the Kingdom. 

Commenting on both the progress made by the Golf Saudi coaches under his tutelage and the tournament clinics held during the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, Mark Taylor, the Head of Development at the European Disabled Golf Association, said: 

“My thanks first of all must go to Golf Saudi for not only undertaking this training and hosting these clinics but for also signing up here today as an official member of EDGA. This bold move demonstrates their courage to follow through on their vision, in terms of making golf an inclusive sport throughout the Kingdom. 

He added: “Thanks must also go to the participants who took the time out to join us, as well as the team at the Asian Tour, without whom this clinic would not be possible.” 

 

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A post shared by Golf Saudi قولف السعودية (@golf_saudi)

As one of the three pillars of the National Sustainability Strategy, the Social Agenda is focused on the creation of education, employment and leisure opportunities for all Saudis from all age groups. Golf Saudi’s membership of EDGA will therefore sit at the heart of this, by creating an access programme for disabled people to attend their nearest golf courses, regardless of where they’re from within the Kingdom.

Amer Al Rumaih, a Saudi war veteran has been in attendance at this week’s tournament as well as the EDGA clinics. By signing-up to the Social Agenda in early 2021, Al Rumaih was the first beneficiary of the Golf Saudi access programme. In the past twelve months, Al Rumaih has been provided with complimentary lessons and equipment to aid his development within the game and as a result has inspired others to follow his lead. 

Steven Troup, Director of Instruction and Education at Golf Saudi, said: “At Golf Saudi we are firm believers in diversity and inclusion being the basis for not only our organisation’s success but the country’s too. Therefore, we are proud to have not only developed a comprehensive Social Agenda for Saudi citizens but to have also worked so closely with EDGA to develop an access programme that offers the same golfing opportunities for disabled citizens too.” 

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Golf Saudi will continue to work closely with EDGA, as well as golf clubs across the Kingdom to ensure that the new access programme is available to all. With expertise from EDGA, assistance from Saudi golf clubs and dedicated resources from Golf Saudi this new programme will provide opportunities for everyone that wants to try the sport of golf.

golfsaudi.com

The post Golf Saudi join EDGA as part of commitment to make game accessible to all  appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Special Correspondent
Golf Saudi has joined the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) with full member status.

The EDGA is considered globally to be the foremost experts on golf for persons of disability and will therefore look to work with Golf Saudi to promote golf for all Saudi players with disabilities, regardless of their ability.  

In the build-up to this week’s announcement at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, both parties have been hard at work to develop a joint programme which promotes golf to Saudi citizens with varying disabilities, with the intention of making the game fully inclusive in the Kingdom.  

Speaking during a press conference announcing Golf Saudi’s membership of EDGA, Majed Al Sorour,  the CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi said: “It is my pleasure to confirm that Golf Saudi has become a member of EDGA, furthering our commitment to make golf accessible to all. As an organisation, EDGA is considered globally to be the foremost expert on golf for people with disabilities and we will therefore look to work with them to promote golf for all in Saudi. I am delighted that we’ve been able to welcome here in KAEC, Mark Taylor, EDGA’s Head of Development, who has over the past week been training our Golf Saudi coaches to deliver tailored training sessions.” 

A two-day training programme was initially held in Riyadh with Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation coaches and other volunteers working in the Saudi disability space. With another two days of training held for other PGA qualified coaches, who are already based in the Kingdom.  

Commenting on both the progress made by the Golf Saudi coaches under his tutelage and the tournament clinics held during the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, Mark Taylor, the Head of Development at the European Disabled Golf Association, said: 

“My thanks first of all must go to Golf Saudi for not only undertaking this training and hosting these clinics but for also signing up here today as an official member of EDGA. This bold move demonstrates their courage to follow through on their vision, in terms of making golf an inclusive sport throughout the Kingdom.   

He added: “Thanks must also go to the participants who took the time out to join us, as well as the team at the Asian Tour, without whom this clinic would not be possible.” 

As one of the three pillars of the National Sustainability Strategy, the Social Agenda is focused on the creation of education, employment and leisure opportunities for all Saudis from all age groups. Golf Saudi’s membership of EDGA will therefore sit at the heart of this, by creating an access programme for disabled people to attend their nearest golf courses, regardless of where they’re from within the Kingdom.

Amer Al Rumaih, a Saudi war veteran has been in attendance at this week’s tournament as well as the EDGA clinics. By signing-up to the Social Agenda in early 2021, Al Rumaih was the first beneficiary of the Golf Saudi access programme. In the past twelve months, Al Rumaih has been provided with complimentary lessons and equipment to aid his development within the game and as a result has inspired others to follow his lead.  

Steven Troup, Director of Instruction and Education at Golf Saudi, said: “At Golf Saudi we are firm believers in diversity and inclusion being the basis for not only our organisation’s success but the country’s too. Therefore, we are proud to have not only developed a comprehensive Social Agenda for Saudi citizens but to have also worked so closely with EDGA to develop an access programme that offers the same golfing opportunities for disabled citizens too.” 

Over the next 12 to 18 months, Golf Saudi will continue to work closely with EDGA, as well as golf clubs across the Kingdom to ensure that the new access programme is available to all. With expertise from EDGA, assistance from Saudi golf clubs and dedicated resources from Golf Saudi this new programme will provide opportunities for everyone that wants to try the sport of golf.  

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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.