RIYADH, 28 May 2004 — As part of the Saudi-British sport cooperation program, two Saudi Golf Committee officials will travel to the UK first week of June for a tournament familiarization tour during the Celtic Manor Welsh Open which will be held just outside the Welsh capital Cardiff.
Sheikh Khaled Abunayyan, president of the Saudi Golf Committee and owner of Dirab golf club course, and his deputy, Yousef Al Mahfouz, will examine the organization and coordination behind the scenes at a world-class golf event.
Peter Waddell, the BAE Systems manager who coordinates the program, said: "Golf is a growing sport in Saudi Arabia. Apart from ever increasing numbers of players taking up the sport it is also a growing spectator sport. Because of this it is an important step for the officials to see how world class events are run abroad and for them to decide the best way of running similar events in the Kingdom."
In February this year, members of Saudi national team played an expatriate team in a Ryder Cup-style event at Dirab. The Saudis won by one point. Also on the cards is the visit of British professional golfers to the Kingdom next year.
