Stars of the Ladies European Tour are ready to make golfing history this week as they play in Saudi Arabia’s first ever professional female tournaments, taking place in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
Held at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, on the Red Sea Coast near Jeddah, seven days of elite-level women’s golf will see the hosting of two world-class debut tournaments: the $1m Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund taking place 12th-15th November, and the $500,000 Saudi Ladies Team International, running17th-19th November.
Held within a safe bio-secure environment, 108 of the tour’s best golfers are in the Kingdom competing for a total $1.5million prize-fund for the landmark Ladies European Tour events.
Headlining the events are English duo Georgia Hall and Charley Hull – leading global players who have won multiple events across the world including teaming up for Solheim Cup success.
“It’s massive for Saudi Arabia to have the first professional ladies’ event here,” said 24-year old Hall, a major winner at the 2018 AIG Women’s Open.
“It’s actually rare to get a chance to come to a new country and play these days so it’s nice to get a chance to play somewhere different. Events like these can help grow the next generation of younger boys and girls here in Saudi Arabia and be inspired to get out and play.”
Both players are suitably impressed with their first look at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club layout and the challenges it will bring.
Charley Hull said: “The wind tends to get up in the afternoon which makes it challenging. The 16th next to the Red Sea is one of the prettiest holes I’ve ever played anywhere. I’ve heard loads of positive things here about the course. I’m massively impressed.”
She continued: “It’s really cool to be here. I like playing in the Middle East and we’ve got a great chance to inspire Saudi women to take up the game and play golf. With the challenges around the world at the moment we’re really lucky to play and this is one of the strongest prize funds on Tour.”
Maha Haddioui, the first Arabic professional golfer to play on Tour, is relishing a chance to play another event in the Middle East.
“I am really pleased and proud to represent my region in my region,” said the 32-year old Moroccan.
“It’s a big tournament, a big statement and it’s positive to see women’s golf get more recognition. The prize fund is a huge statement from Golf Saudi. Winning anywhere would be special but it would mean a lot more to happen here in an Arab country. I love the course, I love the place and feel really welcome here.”
To celebrate the historic nature of both tournaments, Golf Saudi will this week launch a world-first ‘Ladies First Club’, which will offer free golf to 1,000 women living across the Kingdom.
For more information, please visit: www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/ladies-international
