The future of golf in Saudi Arabia

Slowly but surely, golf in Saudi Arabia is taking center stage.

Although golf in the Kingdom began in 1949 at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Dharan city, the popularity of the sport has been steadily increasing in recent years.

I am narrating this story, not just because I am a golfer and want to spread the message, but because I love playing golf, and so are the many new players taking up the sport.

Try golf for a day and you might find, as many young Saudis have discovered, what a wonderful sport this is.

In recent years, I have seen the development of golf in Saudi Arabia, and it is because of Saudi Vision 2030, which supports the promotion of sport under the Quality of Life program.

 Launched in 2018, the program is transforming Saudi Arabia into a world-renowned sports and entertainment location, and a top-ranked country people can call home.

To promote golf we host international events, the most recent of which was the Saudi Open, won by John Catlin of the US.

In addition to supporting young and talented golfers, the Kingdom is increasingly investing in the sport, and I strongly believe Saudi Arabia in the next 10 years will become the center of golf in the Middle East.

I watch Saudis every day at Riyadh Golf Club playing the sport with passion. I see children and young people, this is a step into the future.

Dr. Faisal Khalaf

In a recent statement, Daniel McBrearty, chief development officer at Soudah Development, said that Soudah Peaks will offer a wide range of attractions and activities including an 18-hole golf course atop Soudah mountain, where mild temperatures of about 15 degrees Celsius will allow visitors and residents to enjoy the outdoor pursuits year-round. 

Last year, the Public Investment Fund, the Professional Golfers Association and the DP World Tour announced the signing of a historic agreement aimed at unifying the sport of golf globally through the agreement between the PGA and LIV Golf, which is supported by the PIF.

I watch Saudis every day at Riyadh Golf Club playing the sport with passion. I see children and young people, this is a step into the future.

At Riyadh Golf Club, one of the best facilities to practise the sport, you can see the passion and hard work people put in to excel at the game. One of them is Mohammed Al Sulaimani, who is doing a great job with his team.

Golf Saudi is another example, promoting golf in Saudi Arabia through the delivery of world-class facilities, operational excellence, and implementation of best practices while harnessing wider commercial opportunities within golf.

Saudi Golf Company, which was established in 2019, in its short lifespan has worked to develop the game and partner with others in golf events in Saudi Arabia and around the world and provide an introduction to the sport.

Dr. Faisal Khalaf is a writer, author, golfer and a member of Riyadh Golf Club.

• On X: @DrFaisalKhalaf