Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has officially revealed the name and designs of its golf course and clubhouse on Shura Island at The Red Sea set to complete and open in full in 2025.
Shura Links promises a one-of-a-kind golf experience, offering Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course with, marina views and spectacular fairways overlooked by the Red Sea.
Developed in partnership with world-leading environmental consultants, Shura Links is guided by the highest sustainability standards, addressing a number of areas in tandem such as water-use reduction and innovative re-use of irrigation for habitat development.
An artist impression of Hole 15 at Shura Links, Saudi Arabia. Image supplied
“Shura Links will provide an unparalleled golfing experience, offering a visually stunning, natural course right here on the Red Sea,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG.
“As ever, it’s not enough for us to provide spectacular experiences and world class playing conditions.
“We are committed to ensuring Shura Links aligns with our ambition to set new sustainability standards. From innovative turf management and careful foliar feeding, we’re putting respect for nature above everything else.”
“We’ve already commenced with turfing the fairways and look forward to welcoming first players to this unique course.”
World Class Designs
The iconic clubhouse is designed by Foster + Partners. It follows the overall Coral Bloom design concept on Shura Island, also created by Foster + Partners, which takes inspiration from the incredible flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia.
The course has been designed in partnership with world-renowned golf architect Brian Curley, the designer behind the world’s largest golf facility, Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzen, China.
Curley, Principal of Curley-Wagner Golf Design, said: “There are very few places in the world that can offer year-round sunshine, stunning vermilion sunsets and a wonderfully natural design. Shura has it all. We expect everyone from professionals to beginners to be drawn to this unique course and have designed it accordingly.
An artist impression of Hole 3 at Shura Links – Image supplied
“There’s plenty to challenge the world’s best, while stirring the senses of amateurs looking for the greatest playing experience.”
The par 72 Shura Links course tops out at a championship length of over 7,500 yards, and offers multiple tees with options on each hole. Every hole has been designed to provide maximum variety, playability and memorability for all levels of ability.
Holes four to seven hug the coastline of the Red Sea, while holes 14 to 18 provide a finish with each hole enjoying a backdrop of open sea or channel views. While the 18th hole finishes your experience with being overlooked by the iconic clubhouse.
The designers have incorporated width off the tee to make the course suitable for beginners, yet also includes challenging features that ensures the course is in tournament spec, creating the opportunity for staging major events in the future. There is also a two-acre putting green that the designers claim to rival the best in the world.
The clubhouse has been designed to maximise views of the golf course and the waterfront – Image supplied
Clubhouse Design
The design of the clubhouse mirrors its natural surroundings, while it maximises views of the golf course and the waterfront to the west.
Nestled within the landscape, the clubhouse aligns with the topography of the golf course and steps down towards the beach.
A petal-like timber canopy wraps around a welcoming central courtyard, showcasing a tranquil water feature and a magnificent Delonix regia tree.
Working closely with timber manufacturers, the canopy’s form has been carefully crafted to minimise the structure’s embodied carbon.
The canopy cantilevers over the beachfront terrace, which provides a shaded outdoor space that overlooks the water and a luxury resort.
Tactile natural materials such as stone and exposed timber are used throughout.
The pioneering clubhouse is designed to enhance guests’ wellbeing, with direct connections to nature, a range of luxury spaces, and a refined palette of natural materials.
Grab a bite to eat in the restaurant – Image supplied
Fully Integrating Sustainability
RSG is working with the OnCourse® platform to ensure sustainability is at the heart of Shura Links. Water consumption is reduced through the careful selection of turf grass and soil sensors to understand moisture levels and minimise water use.
It is also using the innovative POGO turf management system to measure key variables that influence growth and performance, including salinity, temperature and weather, helping to inform decision making and irrigation efficiency.
The course also uses foliar feeding incorporating natural nutrients like seaweed to ensure a precision approach that maximises nutrient uptake while mitigating against nutrient runoff, maintaining the playing surfaces.
Of the 140-hectare site, just 20 percent is maintained turf. The designers purposely developed a natural golf course, using irregular turf lines and transitional bunkering with outside edges that blend into the natural dunescapes.
On top of this, RSG is developing a Habitat Development and Protection Plan that will explore ways to encourage the island’s wildlife. Including research into whether the course’s irrigation system can be used to accelerate mangrove growth around the course.
Get swag ready in the proshop. Image supplied
Golf Saudi Partnership
Golf Saudi will manage the golf course and operations. Shura Links will be accessible to all 11 hotels on Shura Island, as well as guests staying at other resorts at The Red Sea.
A second course is in the works as part of subsequent phases of the destination’s development and is part of Saudi’s ambition to become the world’s next golf destination.
In 2023, The Red Sea welcomed its first guests, with three of their hotels now open. The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September 2023 and international flights began in April 2024, marking a new twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International.
Desert Rock and Shebara will welcome first guests later this year, while Shura Island is well on track to welcome guests in 2025.
Images: Supplied
