Saudi Open to debut on expanding Asian Development Tour

RIYADH: New ground will be broken this year when the Asian Development Tour visits Saudi Arabia for the first time. 

Boasting a prize fund of $75,000, the Golf Saudi-managed Riyadh Golf Club will play host to the inaugural Saudi Open from Dec. 8-10. As well as highlighting the ADT’s rapid expansion this year, the event is a further sign of the strengthening of ties between the Asian Tour and Golf Saudi.

Last year, Golf Saudi entered a 10-year partnership with the Asian Tour. As a result of that alignment, the $5 million Public Investment Fund Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers has become the opening event on the Asian Tour’s annual calendar.

Golf Saudi Deputy Chairman and CEO Majed Al-Sorour said: “We’re delighted to extend and deepen our ties with the Asian Tour, a key strategic partner for us. We’re especially pleased that Riyadh Golf Club will be the venue for the Saudi Open on the Asian Development Tour.”

Managed by Golf Saudi and playing to a par of 72, the Riyadh Golf Club is 20 minutes from Riyadh city center. The course, opened in 2005, is characterized by undulating terrain, wide fairways and manicured greens.

Al-Sorour continued: “Riyadh Golf Club is the go-to recreational and social getaway from the capital with the club providing fun and exciting golf experiences for beginners to established players, whether men, women or children. Golf Saudi facilitates uptake and participation in golf through the delivery of world-class facilities, operational excellence and the implementation of industry best practices to position the Kingdom as an exceptional golfing nation. 

“Combined with grassroots training and educational programs that introduce people to the game at the earliest