The Saudi Games are a national competition for various Saudi sports organised by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, with 41 competitors from Canada, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Tunisia taking part.

Al-Mulla not only picked up the first placed prize at Riyadh Golf Club last week, but 1000,000 Saudi riyals in doing so.

A two-shot victory for the inaugural professional Saudi Arabian golfer who scored rounds of 70, 69 for a five under par, 139 36-hole tournament total.

In second spot with the Silver Medal was his countryman Saud Al-Sharif on three under par, who pocketed 300,000 Saudi riyals. As Faisal Salhab made it a clean sweep for Saudi Arabia in the Men’s Medal’s by collecting Bronze and 100,000 Saudi riyals.

All three Male Medal winners are competing in this week’s US$1 million Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund  at Riyadh Golf Club with amateurs Khalid Walid Attieh, Ali Alsakha and Prince Khalid Saud Al-Faisal also flying the flag for the Kingdom.

In the Ladies Division, Belgium’s Alexandra Van Oordt, a Saudi Arabian resident, won the gold medal via a play-off win over fellow Saudi Arabia resident Ghozlene Saki from Tunisia.

While collecting the Bronze Medal was again Saudi Arabia resident, Lujain Khalil from Canada.

Ladies Division Winners in 2023 Saudi Games – Golf Saudi

Images: Golf Saudi

The post Clean sweep for Saudi Arabia at the 2023 Saudi Games appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Now, with a number of events under their belts, including the Asian Tour International Series, both Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif took time out to speak to Golf Digest Middle East about their progress on tour among some of the best players in the world.

Q: Can you describe both what is similar — and what is different — about your lives in general now you are professional?

Faisal: I’m very lucky to have teammates that share the same schedule, so it still feels like we get to share moments and learn from each other and help each other as well.  It is a lot more than the independent “You eat what you kill”, and I am very fortunate to have support from Golf Saudi.

Saud: The similarities I think have been there since amateur days as Faisal and I travelled the world together competing on international stages, and that hasn’t changed yet, thankfully. We have built a brotherhood relationship for years and years to come.

Q: When you reflect on your introduction to golf, at what point did it become your aspiration to turn professional?

FS: When I first joined the national team. The more tournaments I competed in, and the exposure I got to the game, the more my aspiration to grow to progress in the game. As a kid I always used to watch golf on TV. I stayed up at night to watch all the majors and I found the players inspiring, hoping to be like them one day.

SAS: Ever since I got introduced to the game from the age of 10 I knew I had the potential to work hard and be the best version of myself on the golf course and outside, so to myself it was clear ever since the get-go.

Q: What advice would you give an aspiring young golfer, especially in a market in Saudi Arabia where the sport is yet to be fully established?

FS: Luckily in Saudi there are a lot of great programmes that are being established to fully support the next generation of golfers. My personal advice is to start with no expectations, enjoy the game, and when you feel like you’re ready to take it to the next level, there will be the right support system.

SAS: My advice will be no matter where you are or what your resources are with determination and a dream comes a bright future, and that comes with loving what you do and being able to go that extra mile each day for it.

Q: Aside from golf, how do practice weeks differ from tournament weeks?

FS: The weeks that are just practice, I usually go to the gym, play some other sports and try to generally stay active and healthy. 

SAS: I try to keep my technical in check on off weeks with Jamie [McConnell], and still challenge myself in that pressured atmosphere of a golf tournament even in practice with drills, you have to practise under pressure to be able to perform under pressure.

Q: What challenges do an international schedule present for travelling tour professionals? In particular, how do you manage your health and fitness?

FS: I am still learning how to cope and deal with all the travel, as at times it can be a bit overwhelming. Even when I was an amateur we would play on schedules that expected us to travel a lot. Having those teammates that travel and have the same schedule as you make it less lonely and we can rely on each other, some people are more organised than others.

SAS: I try to make sure I tick a lot of boxes when it comes to nutrition, make sure I consume enough calories when travelling and obviously staying hydrated is key.

Q: How do courses and conditions differ around the world where you have competed? Is it important to you to play in other regions? If so, why is that?

FS: Different regions have different types of golf courses. Some courses are tighter than others, and weather can play a role as well. That is why it’s important to play on different courses to challenge myself.

SAS: It is important by all means. To be a complete global-performing professional you have to develop that skill of being able to perform under any given circumstance, rain, wind, hot, humid and different ground surfaces around the world, and luckily the busy worldwide schedule we have presents us with these different playing conditions to be able to learn from.

Q: How significant is The International Series to you when setting your schedule? 

FS: They are the biggest events in my schedule. I always want to be playing at my best during those weeks as they are largest events on my circuit and have the highest quality field and the points are very meaningful towards gaining a full card.

Q: What has been your impression of International Series events so far and which events, if any, are you looking forward to?

FS: Overall, they are very well organised, courses and locations are great. The facilities are well prepped.

SAS: Again, The International Series is the platform for us right now to make strides towards our golf games, and it helps bring out the best of our golf. The addition of the St Andrews Bay Championship is extremely cool.

Q: What is your proudest moment in golf since turning professional and why?

FS: Turning professional in Saudi Arabia is definitely my biggest highlight, and one of the proudest moments was grinding it out in Oman, at the first International Series event of the year, to make the cut on a tough course.

SAS: Probably making my first cut back in February this year at International Series Qatar, with it being my second tournament as a pro, and being in the lead during round one too was indeed a proud moment.

Q: What targets have you set yourself for the remainder of 2023? And beyond?

FS: For 2023, with the remaining events that I have is to settle myself as a professional and make cuts and strive for bigger goals as I achieve my stepping-stone goals.

SAS: I am optimistic, feel like it will be good year to hopefully take as a learning experience, and am confident that I will be successful in some events.  Who knows?

The post Saudi duo Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif reflect on their first year as golf professionals — and hint at what lies ahead appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The UAE has, for decades now, been the driving force behind the growth of golf in the region, but with elevated International Series events arriving on the Asian Tour in places such as Oman and Qatar, Bahrain joining the DP World Tour schedule, the Ladies European Tour and Golf Saudi innovating the game on the Aramco Team Series, and the explosion in popularity of the sport in Saudi Arabia, it is safe to say golf has never been more popular in the Middle East.

Even with all the ‘growing the game’ in the region, the numbers involved may be surprising.

Source: R&A. Includes par-3 courses

The R&A recently released the latest figures for global golf participation, with the key stat that 10 million more adult golfers are playing the sport worldwide since 2016.

According to new research undertaken by the governing body, there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers (nine and 18 hole) in R&A affiliated markets.

The research figures indicate that the growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and continued during the pandemic — up 34 per cent from 29.6 million on-course golfers in 2016. The sport has since continued to increase in popularity post-pandemic, up 15 per cent from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020.

Closer to home, the growth in the Middle East has been exponential, growing from 13,000 golfers in 2012 to 42,000 in 2022.

Source: R&A

Since 2012, nine and 18-hole golf participation numbers have risen by 62 per cent compared to 2020, including 16,000 registered — the Middle East leads the world on this metric.

Overall, golf in the region is still in the early stages of golf participation development, especially in the massive market of Saudi Arabia, where Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation are making massive inroads into inspiring golfers of all ages and levels through its Mass Participation Mission, introducing, educating and entertaining both the young and old through an array of programmes.

The Middle East — and UAE in particular — continues to host multiple elite events and is growing in popularity as a golf tourism destination.

Source: R&A

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “Golf’s popularity has surged in recent years, which is reflected in a notable increase in the number of people playing the sport in both traditional on-course and alternative formats.

“It is significant that 10 million more golfers are playing on the course since 2016, but it is also important that millions of others are engaged in golf through many other alternative formats, such as driving ranges, which are so vital to the growth of the sport.

“It also underlines why effective and impactful participation programmes are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. We are working closely with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders within golf to sustain this momentum. We thank them for their efforts as we aim to ensure that golf is thriving for years to come.”

The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years in developing golf, including sustained work to encourage participation by promoting the health benefits of the sport through a global campaign.

Definitions
1. REGISTERED GOLFERS: These are the number of golfers who are affiliated to a federation (they may be members of golf clubs or affiliated to the federation in another way: eg, through a direct subscription).
2. UNREGISTERED 9 AND 18 HOLE GOLFERS: Golfers who have played on a full length nine or 18 hole golf course at least once in the last year, but are not registered with their national association.

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The framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has consumed so much of commissioner Jay Monahan’s schedule that there has been no spare time to actually play golf. He didn’t tee up during 33 days of medical leave he took to deal with anxiety, nor since his July 17 return to commissioner duties. “I’ve blown out to a six handicap,” Monahan, a former four handicap, said with a laugh after addressing media at the Tour Championship.

It was Monahan’s first public press conference since his return, and reporters were keen to know the progress on the framework deal with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which finances LIV Golf. Monahan’s 45-minute address had plenty of words, and a positive undertone, but few details. His opening remarks were 14 minutes long.

“I know I’m talking lot here, but I haven’t seen you guys in a while,” he said.

Monahan has been in multiple discussions each week with the PIF. On June 6, the PGA Tour entered into a framework deal with the fund to immediately drop litigation between the two parties and create a new for-profit company, called PGA Tour Enterprises, in which the PIF will be a minority investor. The deal’s deadline, which can be extended, is December 31.

“Right now my focus is on the negotiations with PIF,” Monahan said, adding the tour’s chief operating officer, Ron Price, and executive vice president and president of the tour, Tyler Dennis, have also been in those discussions. “That’s where all my energy and attention is. But I think given the amount of attention that our framework agreement has received, and in particular the fact that we’ve created a NewCo [new company] … I think the realisation that there is an entity that can be invested into at the PGA Tour and the uniqueness of being able to invest into a professional sports league of the calibre, quality and sustainability of the PGA Tour, obviously has generated a lot of interest.”

It has also generated doubt within professional golf as to whether the deal would get done. Mainly, because the PGA Tour is adamant that despite the PIF pouring money into the new entity, the tour will maintain operational control.

“If you saw the amount of conversation and the time that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF are spending working forward from a framework to a definitive, I think would you see the sincerity of the efforts there,” Monahan said. “The PGA Tour [will have] PIF as a minority investor in NewCo, [and] full-board governance and operational control of the tour and ultimately the men’s professional game moving forward,” Monahan said. “Given the fact that there’s frequency of talks, we’re probably right where I would expect that we would be. But there’s an intensity and there’s an urgency and there’s a lot of good work that’s being done. I am confident that we will reach an agreement that achieves a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and our fans. I see it and I’m certain of it.”

Added Dennis: “It progresses daily, and it’s very positive and collaborative in nature.”

But what exactly is a positive outcome? Is it ensuring LIV Golf, and its 14-event schedule featuring shotgun starts and a team component, ultimately folds? Or that its top recruits such as major winners Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka return to the PGA Tour via some sort of penalty? Monahan couldn’t answer.

“I appreciate your question. These are the kind of topics and discussions that we’re having right now with PIF,” he said. “When we complete our discussions, we’ll have an answer for that question. That’s a non-answer, but that’s my position.”

What he could answer was what the PGA Tour would do with the PIF money should the framework agreement go ahead.

“Use the capital to be able to invest back in our product,” he said. “Like further reduce commercial inventory in our broadcast, further invest in our data businesses, further invest in our media business, potentially invest in entities and companies that we think are going to help us grow and diversify our fan base and the game.”

Monahan added that Netflix’s debut golf series, “Full Swing”, had also helped grow the fan base of the PGA Tour. The drama of this season as fuel for the series’ second season is not lost on him.

“I fully acknowledge that this hasn’t been an easy road … but ultimately I really do feel very strongly about the result we’re going to have,” he said.

The post PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan positive over PIF talks — and the Tour’s future appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In a quest to make Saudi Arabia a leading nation in the sport, Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) are embarking on an innovative journey. This key move in the nation’s golfing landscape is spearheading multiple initiatives under its Mass Participation Mission, introducing, educating and entertaining both the young and old through an array of programmes. These encompass not only charity and corporate events but also extend to educational collaborations with schools and universities as well as partnerships with Saudi Pro League football clubs, the Ministry of Defence and other governmental entities as well as overseas activations at Golf Saudi-partnered tournaments such as the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Team Series. 

An integral part of this vision is the ground-breaking school programme. Golf Saudi and the SGF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Saudi Sport Federation, have developed a unique ‘Train the Trainer’ model, with participation from 208 schools across all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. This programme aims to equip physical education teachers with the necessary skills to teach and train students in golf, leading to a verified physical and digital certification. 

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

The ‘Train the Trainer’ programme goes beyond just teaching the game. It is structured to enable educators to effectively impart the art, etiquette and skills of golf to their students. This initiative has already been successful in regions such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province, Hail, Al Qassim, Aljawuf, and Neom. Notable participating schools include Tadrees, MISK Schools, Dar Al Barah, Al Olaya, Al Rowad, Tarbiyah Namouthajiyah and Waad Academy.

To ensure safety and enjoyment, the Mass Participation department has provided unique SNAG (Starting New At Golf) equipment to each school involved. This child-friendly kit sparks interest by making the game fun and accessible for beginners.

Complementing in-school programmes, they host children from various local and international schools at partner professional tournaments. These events — the PIF Saudi International, Aramco Saudi Ladies International, Saudi Open and LIV Golf’s Jeddah competition — offer a unique opportunity for children to play golf in fan villages, leading to more than 15,000 children experiencing golf for the first time.

Looking ahead, Golf Saudi plans to roll out the ‘Class to Grass’ initiative. This move promotes a transition from using SNAG equipment to real golf equipment, backed by inter-school competitions that foster healthy competition and camaraderie. The Ministry of Education collaborates in providing invaluable support for after-school programmes, further enhancing engagement and facilitating educational development for children.

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi

The Mass Participation department’s efforts are more than just teaching golf. They aim to instil an appreciation for the sport and the values it represents — discipline, focus, patience and respect. This approach invests in Saudi Arabia’s future, nurturing a generation of not just golf enthusiasts but potential champions.

As the momentum grows, the achievements of Golf Saudi and the SGF in 2022/23 have laid a solid foundation for future development. Their roadmap aligns with Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious national strategy for sustainable growth. As they develop an innovative culture concerned with environmental protection, economic development and social activation aim to increase sports participation and enhance golf’s global presence.

The Mass Participation Department plays a fundamental role within Golf Saudi, coordinating the operations of most of its departments. This department is often the first point of contact for clients and corporates. Depending on the client’s needs, the Mass Participation Department connects them with the relevant department. This systematic and structured approach optimises the client experience and ensures efficient operations within Golf Saudi.

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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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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…

The post Editor’s Letter: A fight to remember appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Sometimes we use the phrases ‘brother’ and ‘family’ in a matter-of-fact way. 

Throwaway references to your best chums, the guys you meet at the club or colleagues you tolerate after work. 

Then sometimes you are given a true reminder of what that term actually means when you meet someone like Othman Almulla.

The 36-year-old began his golfing career on the sand courses in Saudi Arabia, using a rubber mat and a set of borrowed clubs, with school grades suffering as he would sneak on to the course whenever he could. 

That dedication and addiction paid off in the long run as he started to turn a few heads in the Middle East and beyond. How could a boy from the sand of Saudi Arabia compete with the best in the world? 

Compete he did, and true to his word and ambition to become a champion, he won the Qatar Open and Saudi Aramco Invitational in 2008 and became the youngest Pan Arab Amateur Golf Tournament champ at 21, sporting his beloved Adidas gear whenever he could on the course.

After years of grafting away, Othman eventually marked his official arrival when he became the first Saudi professional golfer in 2019, aged 32, when the game began its next-generation journey in the Kingdom through Golf Saudi. 

Now a seasoned pro, Othman is not content to rest on his laurels, and has already began nurturing the fruits of his labours — with two little ‘brothers’ ready to carry the torch forward for Saudi Arabian golf.

Not quite old enough to be a ‘father figure’, Othman is content to be the big brother of the Saudi golf family as Faisal Salhab and Saud Al Sharif are emerging as stars in their own making.  

Othman Almulla with his Saudi golfing family Faisal Salhab, left, and Saud Al Sharif. Neville Hopwood

The recent PIF Saudi International saw Faisal and Saud mark their own professional journeys for Saudi golf in a field full of major winners and legendary names such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith.

A big stage indeed.

Saudi’s second and third golf stars have one guy to thank and to aspire to, that big brother Othman, who has guided them through a difficult — and a sometimes solitary — path to the top level in the game, having played together flying the Saudi flag in team events.

“Faisal and Saud, they are my little brothers,” Othman told Golf Digest Middle East. “Golf can be a very individual sport and you are with your own team — physios and coaches, whatever — but you find yourself out there on your own a lot of the time. 

“But to be out on tour with them now as professionals will be super special, we will create the best memories together. My favourite memories in golf so far are with them in team events representing Saudi Arabia around the world in some big championships. The camaraderie and brotherhood has been created over these past years. I think I have been playing with them for almost 10 years and these relationships and friendships are not easy to come by. I truly believe that I am an older brother to them — they really are my two little brothers out here now on the pro circuit and to see them out here chasing a passion that we all share is truly uplifting. 

“I think it is easy to sometimes get stuck in one event, but we now have a very fruitful career ahead of us, all three together and I am very excited about that. This is just the first step, after the partnerships with Golf Saudi and the strides we have taken around the world, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.”

Faisal was quick to praise the ‘big guy’ whom he overshadows, literally, with his bulging biceps, a product of the new revolution taking over golf in the Kingdom. 

“This is another exciting step on our journey and where better to turn professional than in our home country at the Saudi International,” he said.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point but the continued support of Othman and Golf Saudi, the Saudi Golf Federation, my coaching team, and friends and family have made all the difference.

“I want to thank them for everything and hope that I can continue my success in the professional game.”

Othman in action at the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Neville Hopwood

Saud was equally as excited for the future. “Turning professional has been my goal since I first caught the golf bug as a young kid through guys like Othman, and I am so happy to have the opportunity to fully pursue golf as a career,” he said.

“There are so many people to thank but Othman, Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation have been integral to growing the game within the Kingdom and allowing both of us the opportunity to play golf and reach this point.

“I can’t wait to be on the road with Othman and Faisal testing ourselves against the best players and on the best courses, and hope that our story can help others to see and believe they can do the same and follow in our footsteps. As well as winning on the international stage, we each share the dream of inspiring the next generation, and professional golf gives us the platform to do that.”

Hugging his ‘family’, Othman added: “Life on tour is a pretty demanding one, so I’m hoping that I can help the guys avoid some of my mistakes and to do whatever I can to help them overcome some of the early challenges of turning professional.”

The curtain-raiser for Faisal and Saud was not without its tragedy as Othman has to cut short ceremonies at Royal Greens to return to Dammam as his father-in-law passed away on the Tuesday evening. However, he ensured he was back in Jeddah to support his teammates and tee up for the Saudi International by Thursday, with wife Rana’s blessing and encouragement. 

“It was a tough couple of days, but it was important to me to come back,” an emotional Othman said. “It was important to come back and support Saud and Faisal.

“I told my family it was important to come back and put on a brave face. We need to be role models and an inspiration to the Saudi population and that is keeping me strong. 

“I think golf families are the most unsung heroes. My wife is the most supportive and special person I know.” 

When back on the range and greens, Othman attracted more than a few jealous glances as he was sporting a very special set of shoes — the brand new Adidas ZG23s — something even the top pros in the US and across Europe are waiting to get their hands (and feet) on.

“A few of the guys during the pro-am stopped me and said: ‘Whoa, where did you get them?’ I won’t say who, but these are established guys looking at my shoes and casting envious glances, wanting to check them out. 

“I turned pro in 2019, and the guys in Dubai started a conversation in an unofficial capacity as they saw I was always a massive fan of Adidas gear and the relationship started from there. 

“I started wearing some of the best golf gear available and, around two years ago, we got together with an official partnership.  

“I can’t tell you how much I love being an Adidas athlete, as it’s all I remember wearing.”

As understanding as she is, Rana has her limits when it comes to Othman’s attire.  

Neville Hopwood

“My wife gives me a hard time about it as my whole wardrobe is Adidas, and it’s my lifestyle regardless what we are going out to do,” he admitted. 

“To be honest the gear is amazing and that is why I wear it all the time. The shoes are some of the most comfortable involved in the game and the ZG21s, which were the previous versions of the new one, were one of my favourite pairs of golf shoes. 

“The guys began to tease me: ‘Wait to you see what is coming in 2023.’ I was kinda looking around for snippets and previews and couldn’t find anything. Then these arrived at my house and I was like: ‘Wow.’ 

“There are one of the lightest shoes in golf, just like the previous iterations, and it is nice to feel I can go at it as hard as I want I am going to feel super stable and my feet will still be fresh after a round, know what I mean? 

“I won’t go into the tech but all I know is I know they help me play my best golf.” 

The post Brother beyond: Othman Almulla keeps it in the family as Saud and Faisal make professional debuts at Saudi International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

For the first time, the Kingdom’s two flagship events had equal billing and equal prize money. The $5 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International attracted six of the world’s top 10 female players, including world No. 1 and eventual champion Lydia Ko.

Ahead of the tournament the Jazzy Golfer spoke to Ko about her swing.

“I think one of the biggest things I think about is my rhythm,” the New Zealander said. “I don’t think I’ve heard anybody say that their swing gets smoother and longer on the golf course, I think it always gets shorter and quicker. So, for me, just keeping that rhythm, and I feel like when I’m in good rhythm and it’s smooth, even if I do miss it, it’s not too wayward.”

The men’s tournament at Royal Greens took place in early February and broadcaster and Golf Diget Middle East’s first editor Robbie Greenfield spoke to defending champion Harold Varner III about his win. “I think I’m pretty outgoing,” the American said. “You don’t see my emotions for the most part. And when you do something good, I think you should celebrate. So, I was pumped. I was excited.”

Varner spoke about the barriers people face getting into golf and how he hopes to help more young people try the sport. “People don’t understand how hard it is for a kid to get into golf and I want to change that,” he explained. “That’s important to me, because there are some very talented kids out there that just don’t have the opportunity to see if they like it, let alone see if they’re good at it. And that’s how you grow the game. And that costs a lot of money. So, I want to play well, make a lot of money, raise a lot of money, so that that happens.”

Another view or Varner’s celebration after holing the winning eagle putt at the 2022 Saudi International. Oisin Keniry

Next, Greenfield met Australian Cam Smith, who claimed his first major at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews last July.

“It was very surreal,” the Aussie said. “I think it’s something that you dream of, and probably you don’t get that far in your dreams almost. It was crazy. Such a cool environment. Everyone was there, there were Aussies screaming out: ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,’ all that stuff. It was just such an unreal moment.”

Greenfield also spoke to four-time major winner Brooks Koepka about performing under pressure. “I think I’m just able to focus a lot better,” he said. “Things just slow down for me. A lot of times when guys are under pressure, they speed up. I enjoy that. I don’t enjoy playing golf for 20th place. I enjoy playing to win.”

Louis Oosthuizen. LIV Golf

South African Louis Oosthuizen joined LIV Golf in 2022 and he told CNN that he’s excited for the 14-event global schedule the tour has lined up for 2023. “It’s actually nice travelling to different places and seeing different cultures, golf courses, and completely different areas,” he said. “So, growing the game is very important. Whenever I speak to someone young trying to become a golfer, I say you’ve got to travel the world, you’ve got to go play all over the place, and see different things, and see if you can grow your game that way.”

The Jazzy Golfer. CNN

Golf Digest Middle East recently caught up with the Jazzy Golfer herself in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, turning the tables and making her the interviewee rather than interviewer.

Here is the Q&A:

Q What brings you to Dubai?
A I’ve been travelling to the Middle East to film for Living Golf. We visited the DP World Tour Championship and also played on a sand course in Abu Dhabi!

How easy is it to get into golf as a career?
I started my golfing journey less than six years ago while on a family holiday in Portugal. After many air shots and topped balls, I hit one pitching wedge that landed right next to the pin and that was it, I was hooked. At the time, I had a career in finance, but after a couple of years I took a leap of faith to turn passion into my full-time job and try to make a difference in the golfing world. Using social media has been a great tool to amplify my journey, share the stories of other fantastic women in golf, create an engaged, supportive network and to show that golf really is a sport for everyone — especially women and juniors.
It hasn’t always been easy though. Playing golf was always fun, but from my early experiences in the game I felt that the culture of the sport didn’t match up with just how fun the game was to play. I hoped that by documenting my journey, more women and girls would see golf as a sport for them. And the more my channels grew, so did the size of the audience I was able to reach to call out the sexism that exists in the sport and talk about how clubs and institutions can become more inviting toward women.

As golf grows in popularity across the Middle East, especially among female golfers and youth, what is your ideal vision for the future?
Golf is definitely moving in the right direction, and I want to continue to be a part of that change, highlighting the sport’s appeal to a newer, younger and more diverse audience. I aim to do this through my work on Living Golf, but I am also phenomenally proud of the work me and the team at the UK Women’s Golf Community (UK WGC), have done over the past year. The UK WGC is a supportive online community for women and girls who play golf, complemented by a series of social meet-ups designed to bring women and girls together at ranges and clubs across the UK. There is a similar community called ‘Chicks with Sticks’ in Abu Dhabi, who are doing great work to get more women playing golf in the UAE. I’d love to see a continued growth of women taking up the sport in the Middle East off the back of initiatives like that as well as have golf clubs continue to evolve with the times, ensuring they are giving women equal access to the facilities and being given equal treatment.
After all, this game is for everyone and with so many varied options such as TopGolf, nine-hole courses, par 3 courses, Golf Sixes, FootGolf, mini golf as well as a full 18 holes, you can find the version that fits you, your lifestyle, and your personality.

Will the likes of the Saudi International tournaments receiving equal prize money of $5 million for both the men and women pave the way for change?
Yes, it will. You only need to look to the example set by other sports to see the impact it has. Equal pay across male and female events is a key issue across all sports, not just in golf. For example, in tennis at Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Opens, prize money has been equal since 2007. And last year the US Women’s football team successfully negotiated a deal for equal pay including equalisation of World Cup prize money. This levelling of prize money and pay at the higher levels needs to filter down to the lower levels too, if we want more women to be able to take up sports, especially ones like golf which can sometimes have higher start-up costs. Change has been under way in other sports for some time, and I hope that change will eventually be replicated throughout the world of golf, including at every major tournament.

Tommy Fleetwood. DP World

What do you make of the facilities across the UAE compared to other destinations you have visited?
I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the UAE’s world-renowned courses that have hosted some of the sport’s best players and, from my experience, the golf courses are always in pristine condition and the service levels have always been excellent. As the game continues to grow in the region, it will be interesting to see how more investment and development in the sport brings new benefits and opportunities. The recent introduction of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy in Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates is a great example of this, and I look forward to seeing how the academy will develop the next generation of our game at a grass roots level.
As someone who is passionate about sustainability, I have also been impressed with the work many golf clubs are doing to ensure they are working as sustainably as possible. It was interesting to visit the Al Ghazal Golf Club in Abu Dhabi to see how golf was played in the region before these modern courses were built and as this unique form of the game is played on sand, it is much more sustainable with a lot less water and maintenance needed for the upkeep of the courses. It’s an experience that I would encourage all golfers visiting the region to try out.

What are your own plans for the future?
In the space of a year, the UK WGC has grown to over 2,500 members and I am regularly seeing new groups of women and girls coming together across the country to enjoy golf and share their positive experiences. With this in mind, we’re looking forward to growing and building on our early success. We aim to make the sport accessible for more women and girls and I personally am passionate about achieving this not just through the UK WGC but also through the campaigning, presenting, and consulting that I do in this space.
I’m personally on a mission to lower my handicap this year so through a combination of lessons, the right equipment, and some hard work I’d love to get to single figures (one can hope, right?!) I am also going to be travelling more and highlighting golfing achievements from across the world with Living Golf and continuing to tell the many stories of the fantastic women we are so lucky to have in the sport.

The post Speaking with CNN and Living Golf’s Jazzy Golfer, as she visits the UAE and Saudi Arabia appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In 2020, Golf Saudi launched its comprehensive National Golf Sustainability Strategy, which since its inception has embraced an innovative culture and ambitious outlook across key environmental, economic and social aspects of the sport. A key component of the strategy was ensuring that all Golf clubs in Saudi Arabia work through a set of continual improvement points that will guide their sustainability progress and see these facilities raising the bar even higher for sustainable golf in Saudi Arabia. So, by achieving GEO certification these courses are now all on a journey to continue to improve, invest and enhance their sites to foster fauna and flora, conserve natural resources, support their communities and focus on climate related actions.

Commenting on the four clubs’ achievement, His Excellency Yasir O Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “Ever since the formation of Golf Saudi, we have continued to demonstrate the strength of our collective commitment as well as our leadership in sustainability. Following news of GEO certification across four clubs in the Kingdom shows that we are on track in our journey towards playing an active part in our sport’s contribution to prioritising environmental and climate issues.

“This follows on last year’s news when Golf Saudi became an official signatory of the UN Sport for Climate Framework, confirming our collective mission to contribute actively to Saudi’s Vision 2030 and to be a part of the Kingdom’s low-carbon future.”

Jonathan Smith, Founder and Executive Director of GEO Foundation, said: “It is encouraging to see Golf Saudi making progress in the delivery of their national sustainability strategy.  Two years on from the launch of this comprehensive framework, the national association continues to provide direction for all involved in golf in Saudi Arabia and this now extends to these four facilities, which have received GEO certification in light of work to date and also commitments for continual improvement.”

Golf Saudi has set out a wide range of golf industry policies around carbon and climate, ecosystem restoration, the circular economy and water stewardship. These policies caught the eye of both Safaa Golf Club and MGS, in particular General Manager Nicholas Davies, who manages the club in KAUST. Davies was delighted to work alongside Golf Saudi and to use the sustainability programmes from GEO Foundation to implement the National Golf Sustainability Strategy at the club, saying:

“To work first-hand with both teams to ensure that we not only implement the highest standards but also build environmental innovation into the development and operation of our facility. Some of our key focuses are ecosystem restoration through golf here within KAUST; harnessing renewable energy; comprehensive water resource management; and building circularity into our club’s supply chain.”

All clubs will also have their carbon balances calculated, tracking all data needed for emissions and sequestration through On-Course Saudi digital platform provided by GEO Foundation. By doing this, each club will be continuing and building on the momentum that began back in 2020 with the launch of the National Golf Sustainability Strategy; and the footprint will help identify areas for further reduction.

Safaa Golf Club

Some of the main highlights of each venue include:

Safaa

• Local school children engaged with a ‘Biodiversity stop’ educational area and beehive building
• Ecological survey identifies over 160 different species living on-site, including rare native flora Odontanthera
• Insect hotels built for spiders, leaf cutter bees and other essential pollinators
• Manual weeding of undesired ‘Egyptian’ grass with salt solution and raking reduces herbicide use by 97%
• Biological control of mosquito breeding saves 37kg of pesticides per year
• Damage to native palm trees by the red palm weevil is reduced using a safer pesticide

Dirab

• Maintenance facility has spill kits, new bunding for the diesel tank, and a new wash bay built to capture and remove sediment
• Turfgrass area reduced by over two hectares saving 15% of total water use
• Eucalyptus and conocarpus trees replaced with native species that require less water
• No spray zones present around water features
• Bird houses provided around the course

Riyadh

• Recycling system is running in the clubhouse
• Spill kits are installed at maintenance facility
• Water in waterways have been reduced by 60% when filling irrigation storage to avoid loss through evaporations and algae build-up
• 750m3 of water saved per day in irrigation improvements including new part-circle sprinklers and reduced number of turf line
• Habitats identified throughout the course and signage about wildlife installed
• Bridge renovation used materials all sourced on-site
• Members’ weekly electronic newsletter includes features on the environment

Royal Greens

• More than 2500m2 turf area reduced saving water and fuel to maintain –  and adding habitat
• Irrigation efficiency achieved with new sprinkler heads on greens and a hand watering programme
• Internal communications program for sustainable procurement and waste reduction
• Compost machine used to reduce waste
• Waste separation introduced around club
• Spill kits installed at the maintenance facility
• Royal Greens Junior Stars programme hoping to attract 100 kids for coaching and national team competitions

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