ABU DHABI: With three big-name tournaments, an expanding roster of new championship courses and an increasingly interested public each taking root in the Gulf, it would appear that golf in this region is prospering.
But unlike with so many other sports, golf must work extra hard to develop players, facilities and interest. While football, for example, requires little more than an open space, a ball and something to mark out the goalposts, golf is far more complex. Western expats are no strangers to golf, with the sport enjoying massive levels of popularity in the United States, Europe and the Antipodes. Though the game is still establishing its roots among a Gulf clientele the potential for growth is encouraging.
Golf in Saudi Arabia, let alone the UAE, for example, has been witnessing a steady following the past five years. In Riyadh, there are five all-grass courses including the 18-hole championship layouts at Dirab Golf & Country Club and Riyadh Golf Club. Dirab has a membership approaching the 300-mark with RGC not far behind. At the City Center is the Riyadh InterContinental Golf Club, which also stages regular tournaments for its members.
Also, there is the exclusive Rolling Hills Golf Club in Dhahran, which started as a sand course for American oil workers in the late 1940s.
And the latest grass course to rise in the Kingdom is the Safaa Golf Club.
“We’re working very hard to attract newcomers to the sport, particularly kids,” says Tom Rourke, project director at the new Safaa Golf Club at the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (Kaust) campus in Thuwal. “We’re trying to keep things very relaxed – players can even turn up to the driving range in national dress. We put on free clinics each night and the pros are at the range from 5 to 8 p.m. For kids we organize movie nights with lessons before or afterwards. We probably get between 50 and 60 juniors at the course every week.”
Perhaps more than any other sporting pastime, golf requires hard work, aptitude, patience and expense. Those who have recently taken up the game would not be expected to endure 18 holes until they had reached a certain level of competence — something which could take months.
According to Justin Rose, one of Europe’s leading golf professionals, the sport can also play an important part in a child’s development. “Youngsters everywhere should consider taking up golf,” says the 29-year-old Ryder Cup player. “It teaches you honesty and integrity. You have to interact with adults most of the time, which makes you more mature. It is also a game for life.”
The early-season Gulf Swing leg of the European Tour, which encompasses Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, brings some of the great names of golf to the Gulf. The Qatar Masters, Dubai Desert Classic and Abu Dhabi Golf Championship serve not only to provide world-class sporting entertainment to the region, but showcase golf to a new generation of follower.
A relative newcomer to the world’s golf stage, Abu Dhabi has been taking strides to first establish itself and then grow as a premium golfing destination. With the $2.2 million Abu Dhabi Golf Championship due for its fifth year in January, the tournament has already established itself as a favorite among players and fans.
As well as bringing some of the best professional golfers in the world to the emirate, Abu Dhabi sees junior development as a priority and this year has taken headline sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, presented by The Daily Telegraph.
A tournament that teed off with over 40,000 juniors from Great Britain and Ireland this spring will reach its conclusion this week at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, when 21 youngsters will compete for one of golf’s most anticipated prizes at this level.
For the first time in the tournament’s long history, a UAE resident will compete. In addition, a challenge match, that will precede the finals, will give 21 of the region’s best players – including a Saudi and three Emiratis – the opportunity to gain experience by playing alongside some of the best young golfers in the world.
“Since I started to play golf, I have always looked for new tests to take my game forward,” says Khaled Attieh, a talented Saudi junior who will be taking part in the challenge match. “The harder you work, the better you play and the more you take out of golf. I see every day how this appeals to young Arab golfers as more people take up the sport.”
Abu Dhabi is looking to the future in other ways too, with the development of a number of new, world-class golfing facilities, from the links course under construction on Yas Island to Saadiyat Island’s Gary Player-designed ‘ocean’ course and the extension of the Palm Resort course in Al Ain to 18 holes.
Rourke believes golf has a big future in the Kingdom. “We have already seen a huge amount of interest among students, faculty and their children. We have sent lots of announcements to the Kaust community, and they have been extremely enthusiastic in their response and participation.”
As golf gains popularity in the region, it is likely that even more Gulf cities will develop their facilities as Abu Dhabi is doing. Who knows? Maybe one day, Saudi Arabia will have its own Tiger Woods.
