Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund PIF, has announced The National Golf Club, Qiddiya City, the official name of its Sir Nick Faldo signature-designed, 18-hole championship golf course, and confirmed the appointment of Golf Saudi as operator under a five-year management agreement.
As per the deal, Golf Saudi will lead golf operations, events, course management and player development, connecting The National Golf Club to its national network of facilities, programmes and competitive pathways.
Opening tomorrow (October 30), the National Golf Club requires no membership and is set to be a major international golf destination in the Kingdom for professional and amateur golfers, new players, families, tourists and future generations of Saudi talent.
The National Golf Club has been designed to make the game more accessible from the outset. Its three, six-hole loops, gives players the flexibility to play a shorter or full round of golf, creating a more welcoming experience for beginners while still offering a full championship-level challenge.
Combined with its practice and coaching facilities, beginner-friendly programming and future academy, The National Golf Club brings play to life by opening the sport to more people.
It supports QIC’s commitment to the Kingdom’s ambition to increase sports participation and promote health and wellbeing across society.
The National Golf Club sits within Qiddiya City, the future capital of entertainment, sports and culture and is 45km from Riyadh.
Located next to the National Tennis Centre which is currently under construction, and set to be surrounded by new homes, offices, hotels, retail and public spaces, The National Golf Club will form part of a new city shaped by the transformative power of play - a place designed to inspire social connection, improve quality of life and encourage discovery.
The National Golf Club demonstrates Qiddiya City’s belief in the Power of Play: creating places where sport is not only watched, but experienced, shared and enjoyed by more people, more often.
It is where championship-design, breathtaking natural beauty and accessibility all come together. Set beneath the dramatic 200-metre high Tuwaiq cliffs, few courses in the world can match the striking landscape.
Combined with its location in Qiddiya City, The National Golf Club will be one of the most recognisable and talked about golf courses in the world.
From tomorrow, it will provide players and visitors with a dedicated clubhouse, ahead of the opening in 2028 of a new iconic clubhouse, state-of-the-art driving range and academy designed by Patterson’s.
Speaking on the occasion, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: "The National Golf Club in Qiddiya City reflects the significant progress taking place across the Kingdom’s sports sector, made possible by the unwavering support of our leadership. This support has driven the continued expansion of sports facilities and destinations and created more diverse opportunities to participate in sport, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It also contributes to building a vibrant society and broadening access to a wide range of sports."
"We look forward to the club playing an important role in the growth of golf in the Kingdom by offering a world-class sporting experience to people from all segments of society, attracting new players, and identifying and developing Saudi talent. This landmark will also represent a significant addition to the Kingdom’s sports facilities, enhancing its readiness to host major international tournaments and events and strengthening its growing position on the global sports map.”
Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company said: “Qiddiya City is being built on the belief that play has the power to shape how people live, connect, and experience sport. The National Golf Club reflects this commitment. It’s a championship course with international credibility and designed to open golf to everyone. With Golf Saudi as our operator, we have the expertise and reach to increase participation, inspire a new generation of golfers and encourage more active lifestyles. Together we are helping to grow the future of golf in Saudi Arabia, in support of Vision 2030.”
Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City represents an exciting addition to Saudi Arabia’s growing golf landscape, bringing together a world-class golfing experience with the spectacular natural setting of the Tuwaiq Mountains and creating a welcoming destination for players and visitors alike.
“Golf Saudi will bring its expertise and experience to help maximise the Club’s impact, creating an environment that reflects the highest standards of the game alongside Saudi Arabia’s distinctive culture of warmth and hospitality.
“We see the National Golf Club as part of Golf Saudi’s broader strategy to build an integrated golf ecosystem across Saudi Arabia, creating more opportunities for players, visitors and communities, while supporting the Kingdom’s growing appeal as a golf and tourism destination. Through projects like this, we are helping broaden participation, attract visitors and investment, and support the long-term growth of golf and its contribution to the Kingdom.”
The National Golf Club will further support the growth of golf in Saudi Arabia through its partnership with the Faldo Series, which provides emerging Saudi talent with a globally recognised pathway for competitive development and regular junior competitions.-TradeArabia News Service
