The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF is set to redefine the sports industry landscape by combining the power of sport and business through its new partnership with the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute. The strategic collaboration positions the Aramco Team Series as a leader in the sports world, offering unparalleled opportunities at the intersection of sports and business. 

Recognising that a significant proportion of global golf fans hold senior management and leadership positions in the corporate sector, the Aramco Team Series has joined forces with FII Institute to elevate the tournament to new heights. With FII Institute as a global strategic partner, the Aramco Team Series is set to offer an unparalleled business networking opportunity that harnesses the influence of sports and corporate relationships.

FII Institute is a leading, global non-profit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity.  It is focused on four key areas wherein it catalyses multiple initiatives, investments, and publications: Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability. Over the past three years, the Institute has hosted more than 13 conferences and international summits. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) also extended its presenting partnership of the series, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to the growth and advancement of women’s golf.

The first edition of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF and the new strategic partnership with FII Institute will launch in Riyadh later this year. Throughout the week, business leaders can look forward to engaging activities such as city-based seminars exploring topics and investment opportunities around key Aramco Team Series founding pillars of finance, industrial development, sustainability, tourism, innovation, and growing women’s sports. Other highlights include CEO breakfasts, pro-am playing opportunities, roundtable discussions, and Aramco Team Series Empower – a thought leadership panel covering women’s sports and business led by influential leaders in their fields.

With FII Institute’s expertise in building engaging platforms and PIF’s continued commitment, the Aramco Team Series is poised to redefine the possibilities in women’s golf and establish itself as one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative sporting events.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, expressed his enthusiasm for the news: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the FII Institute, a leading international business platform that will elevate the status of the Aramco Team Series. Through unique offerings such as seminars, roundtable discussions, and thought leadership panels, we hope to redefine the way business is conducted in the realm of sports. We thank PIF and Aramco for their continued support for the series and look forward to achieving more success together.”

Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute, also conveyed his excitement about the partnership and added: “Partnering with the Aramco Team Series aligns with our mission of impacting humanity by building inclusive platforms for international dialogue, knowledge-sharing and partnership in a variety of sectors, including the ever-evolving world of sport, and golf in particular. The collaboration provides an excellent platform for business networking, connecting key thought leaders, and forging new relationships. Together, we will revolutionise how sport and business intersect.”

Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour (LET), commented: “We are delighted that FII is becoming a strategic partner from the Aramco Team Series – Riyadh onwards, bringing more discussions and investment into women’s golf through this partnership. This will undoubtedly support the continued momentum within our sport, with the potential to increase purses and services for our talented athletes. It’s an exciting time for women’s golf and the global sports scene.”

Khalid Zamil, Aramco Vice President of Public Affairs added: “The partnership with FII and the PIF’s renewed support are a testament to the Aramco Team Series’ role in promoting women’s golf and driving its growth on a global scale. As title sponsor, Aramco is proud to be part of this journey, and we will continue to create opportunities and push boundaries to further elevate women’s golf.”

2022 Aramco Team Series, London Champion and Golf Saudi Ambassador, Bronte Law shared her enthusiasm for the continued support of women’s golf: “The Aramco Team Series has altered the golfing landscape for women, and I am always incredibly excited and honoured to be a part of any Aramco Team Series event. These partnerships will undoubtedly take the series to new heights, and I can’t wait to see the impact they will have on women’s sports.”

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Alireza, a former member of the Saudi Arabian national team who represented his country at the Asian Games, brings a wealth of experience in strategic advisory serving some of Saudi Arabia’s most influential entities within the public and private sectors, and he is a lifelong student of the game of golf and a graduate of Brown University, Rhode Island.

As he settles into his new role, Alireza’s remit is to activate and accelerate Golf Saudi’s mandate in creating and serving the growing demand for golf in Saudi Arabia, through mass participation programmes and increasing access to the sport in the country as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme.

Golf Digest Middle East recently caught up with Alireza to get the lowdown on the man, the hard work and next steps for Golf Saudi

•••

First of all, how are you settling into the role?

Being Saudi as well as a passionate golfer, it is a privilege and an honour to wake up every morning to work on something you love. 

There’s a clear and exciting challenge that lies ahead, which is to convert the major strides already made when it comes to events into accelerating the build up of golf-related infrastructure within Saudi Arabia. 

The most exciting part is that, with Vision 2030, this is one of many streams that are happening in Saudi Arabia when it comes to sports activation, and we have the ability to synergise and leverage each other to achieve unique, original and impactful outcomes. This clarity and the potential impact sports can have on the social, economic, and environmental levels in Saudi Arabia makes this challenge worth devoting every working hour.

•••

How have you found these past two months, especially with the men’s and women’s Saudi Internationals? 

Staging back-to-back events like we have just witnessed are no easy feat, so it is to the credit of our amazing team that delivery of both was, once again, of the very highest standard. 

I have been fortunate enough to be part of these events as a Pro-Am guest in recent years so knew what to expect to an extent, but things are always very different looking from the inside. It is evident how much these tournaments stand as a showcase for the sport in Saudi Arabia. They serve as an opportunity to encourage a burgeoning domestic interest in the sport. Part of the challenge is to channel the outcome of these events from viewership into participation.

•••

There were many clinics and talks during the events, how do you see the growth of the game in Saudi Arabia? 

Despite the incredible progress to date, golf is still a young sport in Saudi Arabia. However, our focus is to have an accelerated growth trajectory. A combination of factors will be crucial to this and mainly revolve around striking the right balance between access and demand.

Ultimately, the courses in development here are the pinnacle for us, and we want as many people as possible to eventually become members of a thriving golf community. 

We also continue focusing on off-course and mobile facilities — such as driving ranges, simulators, and fun mini-golf experiences. 

All of this, and more, helps create a pathway, encouraging people to try the game and, hopefully, make them lifelong golfers. 

Saudi International

•••

What are the immediate and longer-term visions for golf in the Kingdom? 

The overall focus is to develop a thriving golf landscape here in Saudi Arabia, by allowing ease of access to anyone who wants to participate and benefit from the virtues of this game. 

The immediate challenge is turning the current awareness into active golfers and having the correct access points at all incomes and skill levels, from beginner to intermediate to national team to elite — and in the long term, to create new world champions, who in turn create new dreamers, to inspire and feed the cycle. We’ve recently seen this in the World Cup when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina — that was a generational moment that inspired a new wave of interest that will ultimately create future stars. Eventually, with the right balance of demand and supply, the golf industry will become self-sufficient, creating thousands of jobs and serving thousands of recreational players. 

•••

Besides getting players on courses, how are business and college programmes helping Saudis from all walks of life get on the career ladder?

In developing a thriving sector, we must concentrate on all components, and the professional expertise of a workforce in golf is critical. In areas such as golf instruction, facility management and hospitality we require highly skilled individuals who are looking to enjoy a career in this sport. Therefore, we have created partnerships with the likes of Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and the National Training Centre for Facilities and Hospitality Management (FHM). 

Last year we launched our first Arabic Golf Education Training programme. Several individuals have now progressed from this and are moving into employment within our facilities, which is something we are all terrifically proud of. 

The plan is to continue to develop on these efforts and go further into developing other disciplines within the golf value chain such as agronomy. Our primary focus is to ensure that knowledge in these disciplines is transferred and eventually led by Saudis. 

•••

Othman Almulla was thrilled to welcome Saud and Faisal to the pro ranks at the Saudi International. What are your hopes for them and the inspiration they provide future generations? 

Celebrating the achievements of Othman, Faisal and Saud, three incredible ambassadors for both their sport and their country, will help us grow interest in golf here in the Kingdom. They have shown they can compete with the best on the Asian Tour, with Faisal and Saud both making cuts within their first two events after turning pro, so the future is looking bright. 

We will continue supporting them, celebrating their successes and bringing news of their achievements back to the youth in Saudi, who we hope will be inspired to follow in their footsteps. 

•••

Aramco Saudi Ladies International

We are also seeing massive growth in the region among women thanks to the likes of Chiara Noja winning ATS Jeddah last year and Ines Laklalech getting her first pro win in France, and then there was the flagship Ladies European Tour event — the Aramco Saudi Ladies International — offering equal prize money to the men of $5 million, attracting the likes of world No. 1 and winner Lydia Ko …

The ladies’ game is going from strength to strength, and that is supported by global participation figures which is amazing to see. Our support of events and players on the LET is helping to build this momentum, and we hope it continues to boost interest in golf back in Saudi Arabia among women.  

We know that having some of the stars in the women’s game visiting KSA was crucial in inspiring uptake in our Ladies First Club initiative in 2020 and we already have graduates from that initial programme participating as amateurs in Aramco Team Series events. 

Our aspiration is to have Saudi ladies play golf at an elite level and we will be giving full support in this endeavour.

•••

The ladies return for the Aramco Team Series, but in Riyadh rather than Royal Greens. Is this part of a plan to spread the events to a wider audience across the Kingdom? 

Absolutely it is, yes. Riyadh being the vibrant capital of Saudi Arabia already has three courses with other world-class facilities currently being built. Riyadh Golf Club, which is currently the closest to the city centre, is going through the necessary improvements to ensure that it is a real challenge for the world’s best players. Riyadh is where the majority of golfers in Saudi Arabia are, and we are excited to bring a professional golfing event to the capital city and continue to grow the game here and across the country.

After five years of events at Royal Greens, which will nevertheless remain a key host of other events in the future, everyone at Golf Saudi is very excited about hosting the ATS in Riyadh and we think the ladies are going to enjoy the challenge.

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All this and much, much more in the April 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East available in both English and Arabic.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

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Royal Greens serves up two memorable Saudi International treats to pave way to the future

History was made in Saudi Arabia in February as some of the best golfers in the world — male and female — descended on Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for two of the most fascinating and memorable golfing competitions in the Kingdom.

First up was the Asian Tour’s flagship PIF Saudi International, where Mexico’s Abraham Ancer warmed up for his LIV Golf homecoming at Mayakoba with a thrilling victory over American Cameron Young and Aussie Lucas Herbert in the Red Sea breeze, taking home $1 million for his troubles. It was one of the strongest fields ever assembled on Saudi shores, with the likes of Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed all teeing it up. None of them could lay a glove on Ancer, however, who registered a wire-to-wire success to follow in the footsteps of Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell and Harold Varner III as champions.

The week in early February also saw a new dawn for golf in Saudi Arabia as Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif were unveiled as the Kingdom’s latest professional golfers, joining Othman Almulla in the paid ranks and beginning their journey to inspire the next generation of young golfers. Both Faisal and Saud impressed in the Asian Tour’s first two International Series events, making the cut at Oman and Qatar respectively. 

With no time for the dust to settle after the men departed, the Ladies European Tour came to town just outside Jeddah, with no less than 13 major champions in tow as part of a field of 120 competing for the groundbreaking $5 million purse — the biggest prize outside the majors and equal to that of the men in the Saudi International. In Gee Chun, Anna Nordqvist, Lexi Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall all fought it out with the likes of Ashleigh Buhai, Patty Tavatanakit, Hannah Green, Danielle Kang and Hyo-Joo Kim. But it was a dream return to action for world No. 1 and newly-wed Lydia Ko, who held off the sensational Aditi Ashok (win, third, second in her first three outings of the year) for her second success in the tournament and the $750,000 top prize. 

Ko gave credit to new hubby Jun Chung and a rigorous off-season that included eight (8!) rounds of golf during her 12-day honeymoon in native New Zealand for her ability to hit the ground running in her first competitive outing of 2023. It certainly looks like that devotion and dedication paid off big time. Hopefully Jun got a belated Valentine’s Day gift for his understanding! 

As we delve further into the year, eyes are beginning to look to September and the looming Solheim Cup date between Europe and America, and already things are beginning to take shape with familiar front-runners staking their claim for an automatic spot. 

When it comes to the captains’ picks, however, things are getting really tricky as old favourites such as Anna Nordqvist and Lizette Salas are struggling to find form, while emerging stars like Chiara Noja and Lilia Vu are throwing their hat into the ring.

How both captains would be wishing Ashok and Ko were in their ranks too. 

For all the stardust on show at Royal Greens, it is always refreshing to see the next generation thrive, and the likes of Noja, Vu and Albane Valenzuela grabbed the opportunity on the biggest of stages with both hands, with all three in the mix until Sunday and finishing in the top 15.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International was about so much more than just the on-fairway action of course, with its groundbreaking prize money, on-site golf clinics and talks setting the foundations and framework for equality and parity throughout the game as more tournaments across the globe are set to follow suit and put up equal purses for men and women. 

During all the thrills and spills at King Abdullah Economic City, Golf Saudi also welcomed its new CEO, Noah Alireza, who was on hand at Royal Greens to oversee the trophy presentations to Ancer and Ko, and set out his vision for the future of the sport in the Kingdom, through mass participation programmes and increasing access to golf in the country.

While the moveable feast departs Saudi until November, that doesn’t mean the drama is done. Not by a long shot. 

The LIV Golf League 2023 is just getting into its stride following its curtain-raiser in Mexico — where the likes of new signings Mito Pereira and Thomas Pieters took their bows — with dates in Arizona and Florida coming up ahead of the highly anticipated bow on Australian shores at The Grange in Adelaide. 

Oh, and the Masters is just around the corner too, where former chums Mickelson and Tiger Woods will meet face-to-face at Augusta in what is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing majors in recent history. 

Watch this space…

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Alireza is a former member of the Saudi Arabian national team who has represented his country at the Asian Games. He brings a wealth of experience in strategic advisory serving some of Saudi Arabia’s most influential entities within the public and private sectors, is a lifelong student of the game of golf.

RELATED: Saudi Arabia is a united Kingdom

Alireza’s remit will be to activate and accelerate Golf Saudi’s mandate in creating and serving new demand for golf in Saudi Arabia, through mass participation programmes and increasing access to the sport in the country.

AlSorour, whose four years at the helm saw unprecedented progress in Saudi Arabia’s golfing landscape, will remain as Board Member of Golf Saudi, Board Member and Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Secretary of the Arab Golf Federation.

Since its formation in 2018, Golf Saudi has created opportunities for more people to experience the benefits of golf. In the last year alone, over 50,000 individuals have been introduced to golf through a wide variety of activities.

“I’m honoured to start this role and be part of the future of the Golf ecosystem in Saudi,” said Alireza. “Golf Saudi is set to deliver significant initiatives and programmes aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and sports mass participation; my goal is to ensure that the acceleration and activation of these creates a highly significant impact on the nation.

“The task at hand is to further enhance the country’s masterplan for golf and, in hand with private and public sector bodies, create an unparalleled ecosystem which derives incredible value for the people of Saudi Arabia and visitors from around the world.

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