A (w)Hole-in-One Guide
With the summer coming to an end, the weather is just right for returning to the golf course! In this article, we’ve interviewed the CEO of Golf Saudi and listed all the grass courses for your convenience.
Renowned for bringing people together, golf is a sport that is suitable for all ages and all abilities. Exercising while socializing, focusing while relaxing, challenging while calming, golf is well known for being a pastime that alleviates stress. The fresh air and beautiful greenery of the golf courses of this wonderful game of golf help to release endorphins so we feel happy, relaxed and stress-free.
Golf Saudi is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Golf Federation tasked with developing the game of golf in the Kingdom. Golf Saudi’s focus is to create the fastest growing golf market in the world, inspiring Saudi nationals to fall in love with the game, while building and promoting world-class facilities.
Golf Saudi desires the support of schools to achieve their ambitious vision in creating and developing modern touch points to ensure golf’s fundamentals are ingrained and opportunities are created for children throughout the Kingdom. Golf Saudi has an exciting mission and vision of creating 300 corporate golf experiences, 100 urban golf activation and 100,000+ children introduced to golf in schools by 2025; 15,000+ Saudi registered golfers and Saudi national PGA qualified professionals by 2030; 1 Saudi national member in the Men’s and Ladies European Tour, Saudi team representation in the Olympic Games and Saudi team representation in the Special Olympic Games by 2040.
Golf Saudi has hosted an array of events in the Kingdom already, including the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the first European Tour event to be held in the Kingdom. Also the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF will be the first ever female professional golf event in the Kingdom sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour. Golf Saudi participated in 2019 in the National Day celebration at Oud Square while conducting the activation of FII Pro-Am Tournament in 2019 and Golf Saudi Summit in 2020.
We had the chance to sit down with Mr. Majed Al Sorour, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, to discuss golf in Saudi Arabia.
Tell us about your journey to become the CEO of Golf Saudi.
Sport has always been a major part of my life. I played professional football for Al Nassr in a seven-year career. After this, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Seattle University in the US, specializing in economics and finance.
Upon graduating, I joined Farmers Insurance Group from Bellevue, WA and after six years there, I returned to Saudi Arabia to pursue regional business interests, becoming the CEO of Amana Cooperative Insurance, a publicly listed company on TADAWUL (the Saudi Arabian Stock Exchange), following a successful spell with Bupa Middle East and advisory roles for various companies including the tech firm Uptake.
On special request, I was appointed as CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation in 2018; as one of many transformative catalysts for Vision 2030, overseeing the development of a multibillion-dollar investment in the development of the sport and its correlating commercial opportunities.
What makes you passionate about your work?
The great game of golf! Particularly grassroots golf, it can be enjoyed by everyone no matter their skill or experience. At Golf Saudi, we welcome everyone to enjoy the game and strive to have no bias towards age, gender, or background.
Significant funds have been allocated for the development of our Mass Participation programme and in support of both our male and female National Teams. In 2021, golf will be introduced to 20 new schools, attracting a minimum of 4,000 children to the game for the first time. Also, we will be rolling out a “Teach the Teacher” programme, which will see Golf Saudi PGA Professionals certify 100 PE teachers to teach golf to children in schools.
At least 80 golf activations and events are scheduled this year to bring golf into the community in locations such as malls, parks, sporting events and concerts. As well as a ‘Golf in the Workplace’ strategy, which will take golf to the offices of major corporations, women’s business groups and into the Saudi workforce. Bringing joy to so many Saudis through our various Golf Saudi initiatives is what makes me so passionate about my job.
What does Golf Saudi contribute to the golf industry?
A huge amount! We are bringing Saudi golfers to the golf industry and the game of golf is rapidly developing in Saudi Arabia with further plans as part of our Vision 2030 plan. Our Vision 2030 plan will also attract more international golfers to come and play the fantastic courses in the Kingdom.
However, as part of this process and our contribution to the wider golf industry, it’s important that we continue to set ourselves ambitious targets. Ahead of 2030, set out against our designated six core pillars, some example targets include: increasing golf club membership to 20,000, ensuring over one million Saudis have actively tried golf, attract at least 5,000 international golf visitors per annum, host 60,000 visitors to Saudi-based golfing events every year and oversee the construction of over twenty new golf courses.
What are the biggest challenges to developing the golf industry here in Saudi?
Our mass participation strategy is pivotal. The local market is mostly under the age of 30 therefore school partnerships, access to lessons and a promotional strategy to create awareness via our “Power of the Game” campaign and creating puting courses, simulator golf and introductory programs such as SNAG golf to stimulate interest among the general public should be vital in the growth of Golf in KSA. We are also looking into what type of golf course developments will trigger the best response amongst potential players and beginners. For example, we have plans to look at how municipal style golf is utilised to provide easy and affordable access, but also a form of the game that accommodates the vast majority’s standing as beginners. Wider landing areas with less ardent carries, firmer running surfaces are all being reviewed to ensure beginner ease. We are developing academies and have included many training facilities in our initial development plans. Entertainment options, such as TopGolf, are being developed for current players and those currently with an interest in the game.
Saudi Arabia has a unique geography with diverse landscape. With the development of the hospitality sector, golf can be a part of the economic growth of KSA tourism with its unique position in the Golf market. The Golf Saudi Summit held on February 2-4, 2020 brought together industry captains and focused on how to best mobilise the golf industry here.
Can you tell us about the importance of building a great team and how you have done that with Golf Saudi?
Internal work culture is very important to us at Golf Saudi. We have a high number of Saudi citizens, females and a considerable number of international employees in our team which inject different values, viewpoints and ideas into our organization – this is key to our success and future growth.
Many of our team were new to the game of golf and therefore were influential in advising us on how to reach new audiences. At Golf Saudi, we actively encourage our employees to play the game – offering complimentary lessons, green fees and discounts on equipment to ensure there is no barrier for them to start playing. We regularly host away day’s at some of Golf Saudi’s best golf courses to give our employees the opportunity to try their game during the working week, so if they enjoy it, they’ll begin playing in their own free time.
What role do women play in developing the golf industry in Saudi Arabia?
A very large role indeed! At Golf Saudi, we want to inspire many women to take up the great game of golf and awaken their interest in this wonderful sport. Golf Saudi ensures women have complete access to all the golf facilities.
We have been working closely with the Ladies European Tour and this November will see history made when the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund takes place in the Kingdom. The tournament is going to be a monumental moment for the country – the first women’s professional golf event. It is key for us to create a platform that attracts women from around the Kingdom to come and witness top-flight sports stars compete and to set the pace for joining the global equality movement. To value a female-led interest in the field, we at Golf Saudi felt past amounts weren’t sufficient and focused on raising the prize money to $1 million. Both Golf Saudi and the LET are motivated to lead a drive towards the “journey of change” and be part of Saudi Arabia’s transformation to provide equal access to all sports for the next generation.
Why is Golf Saudi’s sustainability strategy an integral part of its mission?
With ambitious milestones, sustainability is one of Golf Saudi’s six pillars. We believe it is of paramount importance to our national transformation and is a top priority. At Golf Saudi we have unveiled our own progressive environmental strategy, which harnesses a range of pioneering environmental initiatives.
For example, we are working with renowned international companies and our industry partners to develop strategies for water conservation during irrigation by considering various factors. Through an exciting partnership with Atlas Turf we aim to create environmentally-friendly grassing requirements for our golf courses. We have also secured a partnership with Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) to create a national strategy that ensures the highest standards are mandated through all golf developments. And finally we are working with STRI on national and regional soil, landscaping, water management and vegetation programs that will help us optimise the most effective foundations for sustainable growth.
Does the Diplomatic Quarter play a role in the future of golf in Saudi Arabia, and if so how?
Yes, it does. We are currently working with MISK school and hope in the near future to roll out our schools programme to them. We will continue to host a select group of their students at Riyadh Golf Club, as part of Golf Saudi’s green grass programme, which gives pupils a “first-touch” of a golf club, as part of their curriculum in their PE classes and then links to our Golf Saudi higher level green grass programmes.
In September 2020, the Saudi Golf Federation also signed a memorandum of understanding confirming our desire to jointly roll out a golf education and training programme, known as “Get Into Golf”, in partner managed schools throughout Saudi Arabia, which we hope schools in the Diplomatic Quarter will be an important part of.
How do you envision the future of golf in Saudi Arabia?
Our future vision is clear:
▪ To educate, integrate and champion the great game of golf, as a catalyst of Vision 2030 and Quality of Life 2020
▪ Strategically invest in all levels of the sport to establish a new ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, whereby the game and its socio-economic benefits can flourish
▪ Provide residents of Saudi Arabia unparalleled access, via traditional and modern means, to embrace the skills required to enjoy the game A by-product of this strategy will be the development of elite players, who will go on to represent Saudi Arabia on the international stage, validating the measures undertaken to grow the game.
Our role is to carefully steward the game’s national integration at every level and provide clear pathways for all vested parties to create a long-term, sustainable golf ecosystem.
Where to Play
There are currently five grass golf courses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with exciting plans to develop a range of world class facilities. For full information on each course please see details below:
ROYAL GREENS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
The Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is a premier 18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse, boasting a panoramic view of the Red Sea coast as its natural backdrop.
The ambition for Royal Greens Golf & Country Club is to create an unparalleled destination for both the game’s connoisseurs and those totally new to the sport, while also appealing to those looking for an exclusive lifestyle experience, enriching the already premium offering of KAEC.
Royal Greens Golf and Country Club
Al Murooj, King Abdullah Economic City
Saudi Arabia 23981
P: +966 12 422 7800
RIYADH GOLF CLUB
Riyadh Golf Club (RGC) is located just 20 minutes from Riyadh, making it the perfect location for members, visitors, golfers, and non-golfers to enjoy a unique range of benefits and remarkable golfing facilities.
RGC has a relaxing comfortable environment whether you are playing golf, having a bite to eat, or using the sports facilities.
Riyadh Golf Club
King Fahd Rd, Banban,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
P: +966 55 739 9900
DIRAB GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Dirab Golf and Country Club was the first 18-hole championship grass golf course in Saudi Arabia.
Renowned for its exceptional year-round playing conditions, rolling fairways, large target greens and challenging hazards, this course is a true test. Having hosted the 1st Saudi Arabian National Amateur Golf Championship in 2001, 10th Annual GCC Golf Championship and 28th Pan Arab Golf Championship, Mena Golf Tour in 2012, Dirab Golf & Country Club is suitable for both seasoned golfer and novices alike.
Dirab Golf & Country Club,
Riyadh 19813, Saudi Arabia
NOFA GOLF RESORT
Nofa is home to one of the top golf courses in Saudi Arabia.
Using the desert’s natural contours as a canvas, this meticulously designed course was created and constructed by Barrie Gregson. The 18-hole masterpiece pulls in elements from several of Barrie’s classic courses developed in the UK, Spain and Bahrain. The layout ingeniously blends traditional character with endless subtleties for a challenging experience. With clever bunker placement and water hazards affecting 12 of the 18 holes, the course will challenge even the most experienced golfer.
Visually stunning and immensely playable, the Par 73 golf course is enhanced by the surrounding desert and by a small safari park situated between Holes 8 and 9. The park features ostriches, Arabian oryxes, gazelles, and antelopes.
Nofa Golf Resort
Exit 857, Riyadh Makkah Highway
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
P: +966 11 829 6800
W: https://www.nofaresorts.com/ver/tr/en-nofa-golf-resort.html
ARIZONA GOLF RESORT
Arizona Golf Resort’s sprawling 9-hole golf course is a true jewel of the desert – a 2,090 yard/par34 gem that is far from what you would expect to find in the midst of a bustling city like Riyadh, let alone within the confines of a beautiful residential housing community in KSA. Golf enthusiasts and novices alike enjoy a nice mixture of Par 3s, 4s and a Par 5 signature hole, which most think an easy play at 376 yards, but you may just be pleasantly surprised by the challenge!
Arizona Golf Resort
Qurtabah
Prince Saudi Ibn Muhammad Ibn Muqrin Rd
Exit 8, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
P: +966 11 248 4444
