GOLF SAUDI

HISTORIC MONTH FOR GOLF SAUDI

TO say it was a busy month for Golf Saudi would be something of an understatement. First up came the news that sent shockwaves through the world of golf as it was announced that the 2022 Saudi International will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour as part of a new 10-year deal that sees the star-studded tournament officially break away from the European Tour.

Then came the announcement that the Kingdom would host the biggest two weeks of professional women’s sport in its history – with 108 players competing for back-to-back $1m tournaments on the Ladies European Tour.

Commenting on the Saudi International’s move CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, Majed Al-Sorour, said: “Today marks a significant development for our flagship golf event and our vision to strengthen the depth of world-class golf events, both in the GCC and also on the international stage.

“The importance and potential of Asia’s role in world golf is undeniable, not least due to its position as a global economic powerhouse. This partnership will unlock many opportunities for players, sponsors and fans of the game. Most importantly, we are eager to help build a more inclusive game for all eligible professional golfers that spans borders and cultures by fostering collaboration with major tours and see this as an exciting first step on that journey.”

The tournament, which will continue to be held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, near Jeddah, between February 3-6, 2022, will also feature an increased purse of US$5M – up from US$3.5M.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Asian Tour, said: “This is an outstanding development for the Asian Tour that will create significant benefits for our membership, key stakeholders, and fans alike.

“The Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers is a worldclass tournament which has become truly global. We are thrilled that it will be the showcase event of the Asian Tour’s season, spearheading our expansion into new frontiers.”

TEAM PEDERSEN, FEATURING MICHELE THOMSON, CASANDRA HALL AND AMATEUR MATT SELBY

LANDMARK LADIES

DOUBLE-HEADER

Before the men’s event gets underway, the Ladies European Tour stars will descend on Royal Greens with a bulging prize fund of $2 million up for grabs across two consecutive events.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF returns for a second year – after its watershed debut in 2020 as the first ever professional women’s golf tournament in KSA.

The individual stroke play tournament will be followed by the culmination of the inaugural Aramco Team Series – the new four-tournament concept introduced on the LET earlier this year which has already been to London, Sotogrande and New York.

The innovative format sees teams of four, that include three professionals and one amateur, compete as both a team and as individuals.

Last year Danish star Emily Kristine Pedersen stole the headlines and made history by winning both tournaments enroute to the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol crown – awarded to Europe’s leading golfer. The 25-year-old Solheim Cup player will return to defend her crowns in Jeddah.

“Last year was a pretty incredible experience to be part of two history making events in Saudi Arabia for our sport at a crucial time in the season”, said Pedersen.

“Everything obviously came together and clicked for me over the week in both the individual and team formats in Jeddah. We’re getting some great support on the LET this year from events like these and it’s giving lots of momentum for more players getting a chance to play with the world’s top names,” she added.

International stars already confirmed for Jeddah are three-time major winner Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Minjee Lee (Australia), Anne van Dam (Netherlands) plus English duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall.

November’s consecutive blockbuster tournaments will see players compete for what will be the LET season’s biggest purses after only Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open.

High profile golf events are a feature of Saudi Arabia’s golf strategy which aims introduce more youngsters into the sport and transform the Kingdom into a leading nation in the sport. Female inclusivity is also a key element of Golf Saudi’s development strategy and last year they initiated ‘the Ladies First Club’ which gave1,000 women in Saudi Arabia free golf club memberships.

Al Sorour said: “Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom, and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all men, women and children. We know hosting these innovative tournaments and initiatives like the Ladies First Club not only attracts the world’s best players but also inspires a new generation of golfers to take up a sport that can have a huge positive impact in lives. Jeddah will once again mark another step in our journey to put Saudi Arabia on the international golfing map.”

Free tickets are now available for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund (Nov 4-7) followed by the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah (November 10-12) and can be secured via the Aramco Team Series website (www.aramcoteamseries.com) and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International website (www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/asli-2021).

DP World Tour Championship The fabulous five

This year’s DP World Tour Championship is set to be bigger and better than ever before with the top 50 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai competing for a mammoth prize fund of US $9 million, with US $3 million going to the champion. Here, the Worldwide Golf team has put together their top fi ve things to look forward to at the fourth and fi nal Rolex Series event of the season.

1Fans are back! After missing out on last year’s event due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans are set to return to the European Tour’s season ending event from the 18-21 November. Combining world-class golf with incredible entertainment, fans attending this year’s event can look forward to more variety across the village, hospitality and on-course than ever before, with something for the whole family to enjoy.

A range of hospitality tickets are now available while fans can also pre-register for FREE entry for all four days of the tournament. 2

3 4 5

Ultimate Fan Experience Remember the Alandalus Lounge from the 2019 DP World Tour Championship? It’s back and better than ever with a brand-new name to boot – Ultimate Fan Experience! As part of the package, spectators can enjoy access to the 16th green hospitality lounge, offering fantastic views of the course as well as access to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Clubhouse and the preferential viewing platform on the 18th Green. Spectators will enjoy a BBQ lunch, snacks, free fl owing hops, grape and soft drinks, as well as enjoying a grab and go breakfast, all of which is provided by the Jumeirah Group.

Potential debuts One of the joys of the DP World Tour Championship is seeing what players make it from the European Tour’s Race to Dubai every season. With only the top 50 players making their way to Dubai for the season-ending event, the fi eld is always a strong one and this year is no different. Masters Tournament runner-up Will Zalatoris looks set to make his debut while BMW PGA Championship winner Billy Horschel will make a fi rst outing on the Earth course as he looks to become the fi rst American to win the Race to Dubai title.

Return of the Luckiest Ball on Earth Amateur golfers up and down the region rejoice, the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition is back! Prizes worth more than AED 300,000 are on offer including premium hospitality tickets and merchandise for the DP World Tour Championship. The overall male, female, and junior winner will receive a coveted place in the DP World Tour Championship ProAm taking place on November 16th. Qualifying tournaments will be held at 20 golf clubs across the Emirates, with the triumphant golfers booking their spot in the Grand Final at Jumeirah Golf Estates on 29th October 2021.

EDGA Dubai Finale The tournament will once again host the European Disabled Golfers Association (EDGA) Dubai Finale from November 1920, with eight of the leading EDGA golfers having already qualifi ed to battle it out on the Earth course. World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) No.2 Brendan Lawlor will be one of the stars of the show in Dubai with two wins already under his belt this season on the EDGA European Tour Schedule with Chris Biggins and World No.1 Kipp Popert securing silverware at the other two events on the fi ve tournament schedule.

FAN TASTIC

MOMENTS

We can barely contain our excitement at the news of fans being allowed back at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, with the roar of the crowd sorely missed at last year’s event! To celebrate, we’ve picked out some of our favourite FANtastic moments over the years at Dubai’s greatest sporting spectacle.

Henrik Stenson’s European Tour Shot of the Year - 2013

The best shot to ever be played at the event? The Iceman hit the European Tour Shot of the Year to the 18th green on the fi nal day of the 2013 season to win both the Race to Dubai and the season-ending tournament itself. His incredible three wood from way back down the fairway came to rest just a couple of feet from the hole, leaving Stenson with a tap-in eagle. The occasion, the execution and the celebration from the fans – its what dreams are made of.

Shane Lowry Hole-in-One – 2014

Everybody loves a hole-in-one, right? Shane Lowry made his fi rst professional ace at the season-fi nale on the 13th hole in 2013 much to the delight of the packed galleries. Playing alongside Rory McIlroy, a six iron from 183 yards did the job for Lowry, who went on to fi nish in fi fth place as he broke into the world’s top 50 for the fi rst time.

Álvaro Quirós’ Eagle Putt - 2011

Álvaro Quirós’ monster eagle putt that won the 2011 edition of the DP World Tour Championship went down in history as one of the greatest endings to the tournament. With Paul Lawrie applying the pressure on Quirós, many expected the six-time European Tour winner to lag his putt up safely. Quirós however, had other ideas. The amazing moment sent the Spaniard into a crazy celebration with the adoring crowd feeding off his joy to make it a moment to remember. Trick Shot Boys

One of the best things about the DP World Tour Championship is the wide-range of entertainment they have available off the course. The Trick Shot Boys have been part of the furniture at the DP World Tour Championship for a number of years and their greatest tricks always involve a member of the audience! Fancy getting one of the Trick Shot Boys to smash a ball from the top of your pocket while they’re bouncing on a giant ball? Of course you do!

NIALL HORAN

G O L F F O R A L L

If someone told you that one of the most infl uential people in golf used to be one fi fth of the world’s most famous boyband, you’d probably tell them to go and have a sit down! But former One Direction singer Niall Horan is just that. The Irishman, who founded golf management company Modest! Golf in 2016, has quickly become one of game’s most prominent fi gures with both the European Tour and R&A joining forces with the global popstar in a bid to make the game more inclusive. Worldwide Golf’s Thomas Wragg caught up with the 28-year-old to fi nd out where the motivation to make the game more inclusive comes from and what’s next for Modest! Golf.

Worldwide Golf: When did you fi rst fall in love with the game?

Niall Horan: I started playing when I was young back in Mullingar, Ireland with my friends. We were addicted and played all the time. I also loved watching the Masters with my dad and I grew up in the Tiger era which got me addicted.

WWG: How does one go from being part of the world’s most infl uential boy bands to being considered one of the most infl uential fi gures in golf?

NH: I’m not sure! My day job is my music, however golf is a massive passion of mine and I just felt I could help some younger golfers coming through. The growth of the business these last few years has been unreal and I’m loving every minute. I have a great team within Modest! Golf and we’ve got some amazing clients – I’m very lucky.

WWG: The innovative World Invitational was a game-changer for golf. How important is to you to give everybody an equal platform?

NH: So important in this day and age. I’m aware I have a large female following and feel I have a responsibility to do my bit and try and make it a more equal platform. The event does exactly that and I hope it inspires more events to do the same in the future. We’re very happy with how the fi rst staging of the tournament went, but of course there is always room for improvement. To put on an event like that during the pandemic was hugely challenging, however we know where we can make improvements and we are already planning 2022 and beyond.

WWG: Where does the motivation come from for making the game more inclusive?

NH: Very simply the love of the game. I think the industry as a whole needs to keep striving towards this goal. Golf is an incredible game and we must continue to break down the barriers that are stopping people from giving the game a try. . Golf has given me a lot and is a massive part of my life. If I can use my platform for good then I am only to delighted to do so.

WWG: You’ve been a huge advocate for disability golf and a lot more opportunities have arisen in the last few years. But what do you think needs to be done to take this to the next level?

NH: Modest! signing Brendan Lawlor (pictured bottom right with Niall) was a huge moment for our business and has taught me so much about disability golf. The industry collectively needs to continue to put golfers with disability on a bigger platform. Hopefully this will attract more sponsors, more investment and more media to back it and help grow it. We have seen fi rst hand the number of people who have struggles reach out to Brendan and tell him how me he is inspiring them. He is a legend and has become a great friend. Brendan has the world at his feet, he is so determined and is so selfl ess. He wants to use his platform to help others which is very inspiring. Modest! will do all we can to help.

WWG: If it were down to you, what single thing needs to change in golf to make it better?

NH: A big question. I think in short we need to make golf more accessible. Dress code, cost, certain rules all must be looked at in order to attract the younger generation.

WWG: What plans do Modest! Golf have for the future?

NH: We want to continue to grow the business, sign great talent and use our company to give back to the game. Disability golf and women’s golf need to be supported more and we will continue to do all we can.

WWG: What golf courses have you played in Dubai?

NH: I played with Rory at Emirates Golf Club and loved it. Dubai is great, the golf courses are amazing and I love the nightlife and restaurants. I enjoyed doing the desert safari which was amazing, I will come back soon to do that again!