08 April, 2021, Augusta, Ga, USA: Nine-time Major Champion, Gary Player, has joined Golf Saudi as its latest and most influential ambassador to date. One of the most decorated golfers of all time, Mr. Player will work with Golf Saudi to help implement a shared vision for golf and its future development within the Kingdom.

The news was announced shortly before Gary Player took up his traditional role as the Honorary Starter of the Masters alongside Jack Nicklaus and Lee Elder, with their tee shots officially due to open the tournament and continue a tradition that began back in 1963.

Since Golf Saudi’s inception in late 2018, Gary Player has been supportive of the organisation’s development plans from the start regularly attending events, including both the 2020 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, as well as the inaugural Golf Saudi Summit in the same year.

As part of his role as an ambassador with Golf Saudi, Mr. Player will share his views on how health and wellbeing are integral to the long-term success and sustainability of the game. As such, he will support and champion Golf Saudi’s growth plans for the game, in bringing golf to the wider population within Saudi Arabia.

“I have long admired the vision of Golf Saudi, but more importantly the work that is being done on the ground to provide access to the sport for all levels,” commented Mr. Player, who won his first Major title at the 1959 Open Championship. “I have had many fantastic experiences visiting the Middle East and was lucky enough to visit Saudi Arabia to see first-hand the great work that is under way, in particular the effort and focus to introduce the country’s youthful population to the health benefits the sport can provide.”

As a renowned golf course designer, Gary Player has also had initial conversations with Golf Saudi about how to further develop the Kingdom’s infrastructure and deliver on the scale of the organisation’s ambition when it comes to playing its part in Saudi Arabia’s transformation and meeting Vision 2030 targets, particularly in regard to the socio-economic benefits golf course development can bring to the country.

Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We are privileged to have Gary Player join us as our latest international Golf Saudi ambassador and support our ongoing development. Since his first visit in early 2020, we have kept in regular contact with Mr. Player and his interest in introducing golf to the younger members of Saudi Arabia’s population remains undimmed. Following his appointment as an official ambassador, we are looking forward to learning from his expertise and benefiting from his strong track record within the game to help us build a golfing ecosystem, which future generations can be proud of.”

For further information on Gary Player and his appointment as a Golf Saudi ambassador, please visit: www.golfsaudi.com.

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Paul Waring (right) with a member of the EDGA at one of the European Tour events

EUROPEAN Tour star Paul Waring has signed up to officially represent EDGA – the international body that encourages people with disability to thrive through golf.

Waring has been one of the European Tour’s most popular golfers with fans and players alike since he started competing on the Tour in 2008.

The former England Boys captain won his first European Tour title – the 2018 Nordea Masters – in his 200th tournament.

Born in Birkenhead, Paul was on home territory when he first met and played with EDGA golfers while competing in the 2019 Betfred British Masters at Hillside GC.

EDGA players Caroline Mohr, from Sweden, Spain’s Juan Postigo Arce and Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor all said they were inspired by Paul’s encouragement and advice during their pro-am fourball.

Paul joined those players as an ambassador for leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, which supports EDGA and shares its vision to encourage 500,000 new players into the game.

The former English Amateur Champion was equally supportive of EDGA players and volunteers during last season’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and the DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai.

RSM offered free golf lessons from PGA professionals to all spectators with a disability present at the two tournaments, which were part of the high profile Rolex Series.

EDGA president Tony Bennett said: “When I asked Paul if he was interested in a more formal role with EDGA in our aim to grow the game for people with disability, he did not hesitate in saying he’d be delighted to help us.

“We are therefore thrilled to welcome Paul as an official ambassador for EDGA.

“Right from the very first tee shots when he encouraged Caroline, Juan and Brendan at Hillside, we knew he had something special about him.

“Paul and the team at RSM have been highly encouraging as more of our EDGA players have competed in our tournaments staged alongside European Tour events, providing a priceless shop window for our work in raising awareness of inclusive golf internationally.”

Tony added: “We are sure Paul’s reputation as a player and his knowledge of all layers of the sport will assist us greatly in our key aim, which is to encourage people of all ages who have a disability to consider trying golf, while highlighting the power of golf to change lives.”

Waring impressed by players’ talent

Paul, who won the McGregor Trophy at the England U16 Amateur Championship in 2001, said: “I am delighted to become a formal ambassador for EDGA.

“I have had the opportunity to meet and play with a number of their players and I am extremely impressed by their talent.

“I am very honoured to be a part of their journey and to support the work that EDGA is doing to increase the opportunities for those with disabilities within golf.

“I am very excited to be a part of this development within golf.”

GEORGE GROVES CROWNED ENGLISH DISABILITY CHAMPION

EDGA is a not-for-profit volunteer association, which is made up of the National Golf Federations from 31 countries around the world.

The EDGA team provides advice, guidance and standards to all the leading golfing bodies including the International Golf Federation (IGF), The R&A, USGA, European Golf Association (EGA).

They also work closely with the European Tour on the delivery of showcase events involving golfers with disability.

EDGA also offers training to coaches, therapists, volunteers, clubs, and golfers who wish to be more active helping the players.

RSM supports EDGA’s qualifying players in tournaments attached to the European Tour, funding travel requirements and welcoming the golfers as they are meeting, practising alongside and even playing with some of the star names in world golf

The work helps to raise the profile of golf for the disabled to a global audience.

•Former Cheshire Boys champion Paul Waring claimed the English Amateur crown on his home course at Bromborough in 2005, beating Steven Capper 3&2 in the final.

Waring with players from the EDGA at a European Tour event in 2019. The former England Amateur Champion was very impressed by the players’ abilities

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