Maha, you are here representing Morocco in the USD 5 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International, how big is this event not only for all women but specifically for Arab women?

“It’s really big. For me, it’s a really important week in a sporting sense because there is a lot of money at stake and there are also a lot of world ranking points. The better the field, the more points you get. It’s a really important year, with the Olympics, so you want to get as many points as you can every week.

“But I think there is something bigger. We’re here in Saudi Arabia, we’re playing for 5 million U.S. dollars and I think that is a great statement to the importance of women’s golf for the Kingdom. I’m just really proud to be a small part of that and I’m really proud that myself and Ines (Laklalech) are two Arab players in the field.

“I am 100% positive that there will be a lot more Arab players in the future. But, you know, it’s a start. What’s happening in the region there’s definitely been a shift of powers in the world of golf and I really think that it’s going to encourage people to take up golf. I’m not just talking at the high level, but it’s just as important to get leisure golf going.

“For example, weeks like this one, and the improvements that have been made to the course here at Riyadh Golf Club. It’s unbelievable. Just from last year how much better and how perfect it is.

“To me, growing golf in the region is not just through elite players, it’s also completely normal people taking up the game and playing golf. So, I think it’s really going to push it forward and I’m really excited for the future.”

There must be a huge sense of pride between yourself and Ines?

“Oh yeah! I’m so proud. Even though this event isn’t happening in my home country of Morocco, I still really feel at home here.

Maha Haddioui – LET

“It’s in the region and it’s the same culture to me, so it’s something I’m very proud of. We always look at the big tournaments in the U.S. the big tournaments in the U.K. the big tournaments in Europe. Now we have big tournaments in Saudi Arabia, and hopefully, we can get more tournaments in the Arab world and other countries that don’t have women’s events yet and they will look at this as an example.”

Do you think without the catalysts of the Arab Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today?

“Definitely. You can play golf and you can practice all you want, but it’s all about having the opportunities to compete. If you don’t have that big exam then what are you practicing for, and this week is that exam.

In the future, between yourself and Ines, how would you like to look back on these monumental years for being trailblazers in female Arab golf from a personal standpoint?

“Even though I am in my 11th year on tour, I still don’t want to stop. I just love it too much to stop. But I do look back and I do think, wow.

“On my first year on tour, there was just me. Then last year at the end of the year at the Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, there were seven Moroccan ladies competing.

Ines Laklalech. LET

“So, it’s with great pride and hope I’ve inspired young girls. I do speak to a lot of them, not in an arrogant way, but they would see me a girl from their hometown, playing on tour, and these are girls who come to my house, they know my parents, we grew up in the same neighbourhood like 500 meters away. So they will be thinking, if she can do it, then I can do the same.”

Is golf growing in all Arab countries? Do you feel it’s trending?

“Yes and no. If I’m going to be honest, we’re still missing a lot of tournaments in some areas of the Arab world where there are a lot of men’s events and still no women’s events. So, I think there’s still a lot of work to do. But again, if you see your neighbour doing something, maybe it’s a good idea to do the same.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to women’s golf and the trust, especially from Aramco. It’s not just this tournament, there are loads of Aramco events over this year. And to me, that’s a big statement. People don’t just put their money into something. It means they believe in women’s golf, and we also believe that it can grow and there’s so much further we can go.”

Maha gets her first round of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International underway at 11:25 local time and Ines at 11:45.

Image Credit: Mark Runnacles / LET