His Excellency Yasir Al Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi, and Mr. Jerry Inzerillo (left), CEO of DGDA, sign the MoU during the Golf Saudi Summit in King Abdullah Economic City.
By Kent Gray
A new 27-hole Greg Norman-designed layout earmarked near the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh has moved a step closer to realisation after a collaboration was signed on the sidelines of the Golf Saudi Summit on Tuesday.
Golf Saudi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) which announced plans to build the club in Wadi Safar, Diriyah, last September.
It will be the centrepiece of an “exclusive” new residential district being developed in the Wadi Safar valley 30 minutes north-west of the centre of Riyadh.
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DGDA signed a deal with the Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) Company at the Open Hearts, Open Doors event in September. The MoU tasks Golf Saudi with providing technical and management services to bring the golf project to fruition.
The two entities will form a joint working team, with specialists from both sides set to “activate areas of collaboration as envisioned in the memorandum” and to “reinforce sports and increase leisure and tourism activities for Saudi citizens, residents, and tourists.”
The MoU, which was signed in the presence of His Excellency Yasir Al Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi, and Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of DGDA, took place during the Golf Saudi Summit in in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
“Diriyah is set to become a global cultural icon and one of the world’s greatest gathering places. A mixed-use traditional urban community which celebrates the rich cultural history of Saudi Arabia,” said Inzerillo.
“Diriyah, Riyadh’s new global cultural and lifestyle destination, will be home to leading luxury and lifestyle retail brands as well as over 100 cafes and restaurants and world-class events. With Saudi Arabia swiftly establishing itself as one of the world’s most dynamic golf markets, we are incredibly excited about our partnership which fits into our mission to make Diriyah a global icon and a must-visit destination.”
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, said: “This partnership demonstrates the ambition of the Kingdom to become a global destination of interest attracting international visitors and we are delighted to be part of it through our partnership with Diriyah Gate Development Authority to bring this sport to life.”
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 socio-economic programme recognises the importance of encouraging physical and social well-being in reinforcing the nation’s ambition of creating a vibrant society with fulfilling lives. Saudi Arabia is making huge strides in the promotion of sports and athleticism in recent years with world-class events including the 2020 Dakar Rally and the Spanish Super Cup.
DGDA’s role in fuelling the Kingdom’s sport remit includes hosting the 2018 and 2019 Formula E auto racing events and the heavyweight title fight between boxers Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in December.
The Golf Saudi Summit has brought together golf business leaders and key industry stakeholders to help Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation to fast-track “new benchmarks” in mass participation, design and management.
