The Jan. 30-Feb-6 Golf Saudi initiative ran in parallel with the Asian Tour’s new, $5 million season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. 

As part of Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation programme, itself a key tenant of the Kingdom’s ‘Vision 2030’ socio-economic agenda, National Golf Week saw the Kingdom’s  golf courses and facilities supplied with the “equipment needed to engage with new and existing audiences, enabling them to experience exciting activities across a range of locations.”

More than 350 people signed up for free lessons at Royal Greens and Dirab Golf Club while group and Individual lessons were also taught at Saffa Golf Club. 

Golf Saudi also announced its membership of the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), as part of its efforts to make the game fully inclusive.

Other activations at Royal Greens GCC included the “takeover on the famous 16th hole by school children”, plus the display of art printed on course boarding which will be” visible to the world of golf”. More than 600 students visited the Saudi International tournament village as part of school trips. 

As well as encouraging school children to give the game a try, National Golf Week was also targeted at adults of all abilities. 

 

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“At Golf Saudi, we endorse encouraging as many Saudis as possible to get involved in not just golf but other sports too,” said Majed Al Sorour, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and CEO of Golf Saudi.

“As both a physical and mental activity, golf is a great way to build confidence and playing with others can play an important role in helping to build an active and fun social life.

“Our inaugural National Golf Week will support our Vision 2030 goals in terms of encouraging as many Saudis as possible to get active, regardless of their age, gender or how good they are at golf. We at Golf Saudi want to celebrate the golfing achievements of all those who take part.”

Bouchaib El Jadiani, Head of Mass Participation & National Teams at Golf Saudi, said: “Heading-up Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation programme, I know first-hand the positive impact that golf can play in the lives of young Saudis.

“No place is this clearer than in my additional role with the Saudi National Teams, where each weekend I am lucky enough to see these young Saudi men and women not only compete in international tournaments but also enjoy themselves as golf gives them the opportunity to develop, learn and compete. That is why schemes such as National Golf Week are so important in terms of bringing this great game to the people of Saudi Arabia.”

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But Golf Saudi were never going to rest on the laurels of a $3.5 million event, nor an impressive gaggle of PGA and European Tour stars alone to globalise their ambitious golf agenda, a central tenet of the Kingdom’s ‘Vision 2030’ socio-economic plan.

Enter stage left Jack Nicklaus. The 18-time major champion was unveiled Tuesday as the designer of a new private course set to break ground 40 minutes south-west of the capital Riyadh by the end of the year.

The championship course, Nicklaus Designs’ first in Saudi, will be part of an exclusive residential community/country club in the Qiddiya megaproject, entertainment, sports and the arts-centric city which began taking shape in 2019.

To be framed by the majestic Tuwaiq mountain range, the course is currently in the design.

An digitally enhanced artists impression of the new Nicklaus design in Saudi.

“To have the greatest-ever golfer commit to making his mark upon our developing golf landscape in Saudi Arabia and at a project as significant as Qiddiya gives us great pride,” said His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation.

“To be part of the Nicklaus legacy will be something that we will always cherish, especially knowing the positive impact it will have on growing awareness of the sport at a domestic level, whilst increasing our national visibility as a vibrant new golf destination. We are looking forward to welcoming Mr. Nicklaus for his first visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming months.”

Nicklaus played the mutual appreciation game in a media release.

“To be selected as one of the first international designers to work in the Kingdom is a great honour,” Nicklaus said.

“I’ve already spent time looking at the topography of the land, images of the backdrop and terrain, and discussing with our design team a strategy for the course.  The design will fully integrate the natural environment and the beautiful Qiddiya landscape, bringing together green spaces and mountainous terrain to form a picturesque canvas for both a beautiful and challenging golf course.”

Construction began on the Qiddiya project in 2019 and the golf development will include a high-end resort hotel and spa, as well as exclusive residences.

The media release said the course would be “constructed to the highest standards with a view to hosting the most prestigious international championships in future years”.

“By being involved in this project, we hope to promote the development and enjoyment of the game in the Kingdom,” Nicklaus said. “We not only want to entice Saudi residents to take up the great game of golf, but we also hope this presents employment opportunities for citizens of the Kingdom that are within or related to the golf industry. This mirrors the vision of Qiddiya.”

The Nicklaus-designed course is the centrepiece of what has been positioned as the most exclusive golf residential community in the Kingdom A second course is set to be added with Qiddiyal “be seeking designers”.

“The underlying philosophy behind this entire development is to introduce a new, active lifestyle to the people of Saudi Arabia,” said Philippe Gas CEO of QIC.

“This project has been carefully planned to ensure an unmatched resort experience for both golfers and regular guests. We expect the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and residential offering to provide the most entertaining challenge for golfers and the most appealing homesteads for residents seeking an extraordinary lifestyle.”

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