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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ET player Amy Boulden teaching a young girl ahead of the Saudi Ladies International, which is being staged at the Royal Greens G&CC, in King Abdullah Economic City

THE inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International – the first female professional golf tournament to be played in Saudi Arabia – has been rearranged for October.

The switch following its postponement last month due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the announcement was made by the Ladies European Tour and Golf Saudi to move it to October 8-11.

The $1million event will take place at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club where some of the world’s finest golfing talent are set to arrive on Saudi shores for the historic occasion in the autumn.

Royal Greens hosted the European Tour Saudi International for a second time in February when Graeme McDowell picked up his first European Tour win in nearly six years.

Yasir O Al-Rumayyan, chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm we are working towards a new date of October 8-11 for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund.

“We will, of course, continue to work closely with health authorities both domestically and across the region in the interim, but are hopeful we will be able to bring this momentous occasion to Saudi Arabia in six months’ time.

“As we focus upon the necessary precautions, we would like to pay particular thanks to all of our sponsors, partners and players, who have shown unwavering commitment through these unprecedented times.

“And it is due to their support that we are now able to announce a revised date for this landmark occasion.”

The October tournament will be a watershed moment for the country.

The LET reiterated its commitment to visiting Saudi Arabia after the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and echoed Golf Saudi’s calls to ensure the inaugural tournament lives up to its billing.

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas said: “Postponing the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International – originally scheduled to take place in March – was a difficult decision.

“However we have been extremely impressed by Golf Saudi’s commitment to working through the challenges and making this historic event happen.

“We would like to thank all stakeholders for their incredible support, and I am sure this fantastic new tournament will be one of the major highlights of 2020.”

One of the richest tournaments on the LET schedule, the hosting of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International was part of a move to increase golf participation significantly through a very ambitious development programme in the kingdom.

The country has staged a number of high-level sporting fixtures, including football, boxing, motorsport and equestrian events – countering criticism of the Saudi regime’s human rights record.

•More information about Golf Saudi and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International can be found at https://www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/ladies-international/

For information on the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club visit: https://royalgreens.net/

Graeme McDowell – winner of the 2020 Saudi International at Royal Greens G&CC. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

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