Arab News: Golf Saudi wins global honor for contribution to game

Thu 05 November 2020

The World Golf Awards, one of the industry’s most prominent accolades, has awarded Golf Saudi with a “Vision Award,” during their COVID-modified annual ceremony in Dubai.

The awards, which brought together market leaders from more than 40 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, North America and Oceania, was a celebration of the best courses and destinations across the golf industry. The World Golf Awards celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations.

Voted for by professionals working within the golf travel and tourism industry, this accolade is expected to further solidify Golf Saudi’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic new golf markets.

Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “To be recognized by the World Golf Awards is a great honor and provides a valuable boost to the progress of the game in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to the support of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, and in line with Vision 2030, we have made great efforts to ensure our strategy for developing the sport is as progressive as it is inclusive. Whilst we are still in the formative stages of our national golf plans, progress has been considerable, giving us great confidence that our direction and commitment to sustainability will stand us in the best stead for the years to come.”

The World Golf Awards recognized Golf Saudi with their “Vision Award” for their efforts in facilitating uptake and participation in golf through the delivery of world-class facilities, operational excellence, the implementation of industry best practices and a continued commitment to establishing Saudi Arabia as an exceptional golfing nation. This has all been achieved with Golf Saudi simultaneously looking to instill a culture of environmental and ecological innovation throughout all of its ongoing initiatives.

Chris Frost, managing director of World Golf Awards, said: “I have closely watched over the past few years the accelerated development of Golf tourism in Saudi Arabia. Golf Saudi’s vision is truly breathtaking and quickly coming to fruition. The next decade is incredibly exciting for Golf tourism in the Kingdom and I believe in the near future the industry will be looking to the region as a market leader in golf development and sustainability.”

Launched in 2014, World Golf Awards aim to improve standards within golf tourism by rewarding the leading destinations in their field. Votes for the 2020 edition were cast by industry professionals and consumers from across the world in a range of categories, including both global and regional awards, with the ceremony itself taking place virtually from the Park Hyatt Dubai on Oct. 29.