If you include the inaugural Saudi Ladies Team International in November 2020, the Aramco Team Series 2023 season-ender in Riyadh will be the 15th event in this innovative new concept’s run. 

While the series, which sees an individual strokeplay competition and team tournament run concurrently, has grown in popularity on and off the course and has attracted some of the world’s biggest names in women’s golf, Anne van Dam probably knows the format better than most.

The Dutch star was runner-up at that first event at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City in 2020 and has been an almost ever-present since, watching the ATS evolve over the years first-hand. 

“The event has grown tremendously since 2020,” she told Golf Digest Middle East recently. “Back then it was relatively new for everyone. But it has been great to play as part of a team — also adding the amateur was something really new we hadn’t seen on tour — and that aspect has really grown on all the players over the past three years.”

The ATS’ global reach has expanded year on year, adding new destinations to help spread awareness of the series and the game of golf.

“I think it is always good to play in new venues and it is important to showcase the Aramco Team Series and our players in as many places as possible,” Van Dam said, while also praising some of the continuity in place. “I also like that some of the venues have stayed the same  — London for example — as it allows you to see the growth as more and more people come out every year. But I really love all the new additions: Singapore, Hong Kong, Sotogrande. To keep adding these new locations all around the world is super exciting for us as players and I hope over the coming years to keep adding more and more venues to the schedule and bringing new players to the game.”

The Golf Saudi Ambassador added: “I have done clinics at the past couple of events and they are a super fun way to bring a lot of together. To give girls a chance to try golf when they normally would not consider it is great and the Aramco Team Series has been a great opportunity for that.

“I do see myself as a role model to grow the game for kids and women around the world. It is great to see those enthusiastic faces around the golf course watching me, and the clinics and media events are powerful tools.”

As the Aramco Team Series prepares for its 2023 finale in Saudi Arabia, 27-year-old Van Dam is keen to chalk off another new destination on her travels — and even get her tourist hat on. 

“I have actually never been to Riyadh so I am excited,” she said. “I have heard many awesome things about the city and course so hopefully we can explore a bit. I have been to Jeddah and Royal Greens a few times and I am ready and excited for a new course and a new venue — especially to be there with the Aramco Team Series.”

Van Dam burst on to the professional golfing scene towards the end of 2018 when she went on a hot streak that saw her pick up four titles in just over a year — a run of form she feels she is rediscovering in 2023 having just missed out on the Irish Open title this summer.

“I have been playing really well this past while, getting close to a handful of wins,” she said. “Unfortunately I have not been able to get it over the line, but my game is good and I am getting closer to those wins. I am definitely hoping for an Aramco win — hopefully this year and in the years to come. One thing that drives me on out on the course is to finish the year strong and get another win under my belt.”

Main Image: Tristan Jones/LET