There was a time when Lebanon had four golf courses. Today, only one remains. The rest were lost to conflict. Even that surviving course, the Golf Club of Lebanon, was once reduced to rubble during the 1982 invasion.

Karim Salaam (below) has a first-hand experience of it all and knows the story better than most. His father, Salim Ali Salaam, was both President of the Lebanese Golf Federation (LGF) and Founder of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF).

Karim Salaam. Image supplied by Lebanese Golf Federation

Salim refused to let the sport of golf disappear in Lebanon, despite its struggles.“It’s a true example of Lebanese resilience at its best” Karim recalls.

Golf in Lebanon has endured a turbulent period over the past five years, from the end of 2019 to the end of 2024. Like the country itself, the club faced a series of extraordinary challenges: a revolution, a financial collapse, a global pandemic, a massive explosion that devastated half of Beirut, and even a 90-day war that placed the club’s location under direct threat. “Through all of this, the commitment of the club’s stakeholders and employees never wavered. Instead of retreating, they pushed forward, working not only to preserve the club but also to expand participation through various outreach programs, ensuring the game continues to grow despite the adversity.”

“Through it all, the Golf Club of Lebanon remains more than a golf course. Alongside its 18 holes, it hosts tennis, squash, swimming, taekwondo, football and basketball. It’s a place for community.”

Image supplied by Lebanese Golf Federation

For Karim, who has taken over the reins as President of the new-look Lebanese Golf Federation, they have built further foundations with a three-year plan launched at the end of 2024.

One focus is grassroots development. The Federation’s Golf in Schools programme introduces the sport to pupils through The R&A’s Unleash Your Drive initiative. Its companion project, Golf for All, works with people and children with special needs. “We want to open the game to everyone,” Karim says, “not just those who already know it.”

Image supplied by Lebanese Golf Federation

The second pillar is raising the standard of competition. By adding WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) events like the Lebanese Spring Open and Lebanese Junior Open, local Arab players can earn points without leaving the country.

“The upcoming Lebanese International Amateur Open in September is another chance to draw talent from abroad while giving homegrown players a bigger stage to perform on.”

The third is tapping into the Lebanese golfing diaspora. “There are nearly four times as many Lebanese golfers abroad as in Lebanon,” Karim explains. “That network we have proved invaluable when security concerns limited local travel last year. Diaspora players stepped up in representing our country, and the victories showed.”

The fourth is visibility. The Federation’s improved relationship with the press means results now land in local headlines and even international outlets. “When Lara Bakhour won the European Juniors U18 Championship, she got a phone call from our President Joseph Aoun, that was huge for us all!

“In the junior ranks, two of the three girls who attended the Arab Golf Federation’s Elite Sports Scholarship Camp in Riyadh have now earned spots at Florida’s IMG Academy for the next three years. It’s incredible, really.”

Running anything in Lebanon means working around unpredictability. Just a few weeks ago, the Lebanese Golf Federation (below) joined Dr. Nora Beyrakdarian, the Minister of Youth and Sports with a Sports for All tour, bringing multiple sports to cities across the country. The first stop was golf, in the South Lebanon, which drew big crowds despite the region’s recent hardships.

“Everytime someone knocks us down, we stand up again,” Karim says. “That’s Lebanon. And that’s golf here too.”

Golf in Lebanon now needs the opportunity to grow wider. They’ve tackled the problem by staging more internationally recognised amateur events like the Lebanese Spring Open and Lebanese Junior Open. Up next is the Lebanese International Amateur Open, scheduled for 26 – 28 September. The tournament offers divisions for men, women and juniors plus awards WAGR points. “For a small federation, these are big logistics and a publicity test. Given the recent instability, sport is a way to show that Lebanon is still a destination,” Karim says. “Even with just one golf course we can host international standard events.”

Back in April the Cedar Golf Championship, an event on the Arab Golf Series, was played at Al Zorah in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The twist being was that the Cedar Championship was organised by the Lebanese Golf Federation but hosted by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). “It was the first time a country hosted a tournament on behalf of another nation,” Karim notes. “It showed the strength of our federation ties and the UAE’s support. It was a gesture of solidarity as we emerged from conflict.”

The importance of the Arab Golf Series events brings together regional talent across the Middle East and gives local juniors a chance to test themselves against an international field, without occurring the cost of long overseas trips.

This then creates a ripple effect. Better rankings attract better fields. Better fields bring more attention and therefore more sponsors.

Image supplied by Lebanese Golf Federation

The Lebanese population that lives abroad is a sporting advantage. Karim estimates there are nearly four times as many Lebanese golfers living overseas as there are in Lebanon. When security issues made travel difficult last year the diaspora filled in. “Players representing Lebanon who are based in the United States, the UAE and Europe kept the country visible in international events. The diaspora stepped up and ensured Lebanon stayed represented. We had some important results, despite limited resources.”

That diaspora connection also opened doors for partnerships and training opportunities. Since 2024 the EGF has hosted a summer training camp in Morocco and has welcomed all Arab nations to join. This past summer, Lebanon sent four juniors who were joined by players from Palestine and Oman. The shared camp includes coaching, builds networks, sets standards and exposes the players to regional competition that their home structure may sometimes struggle to provide.

Karim is mostly proud of the progression that Lebanon’s women and girls are having in the game. “Right now the girls are making more noise than the boys,” he says with a smile.

“Elena Zreik, Lara Bakhour and Victoria Richani have all pushed into international visibility. Victoria’s recent run included qualifying for the USGA World Teen Championship where she made the cut and finished tied for third.

“Vanessa Richani, became the first Lebanese woman to reach the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship, she is now aiming at a professional career. Then there is Yasmeen El Husseini, just nine years old, who is one to watch for the future!”

Lebanese Golf Federation (Image supplied by Lebanese Golf Federation)

The success across Arab golf is down to the structure and timing. The Arab Golf Federation is investing in regional development thanks to Golf Saudi, that has helped add resources. Clubs and federations around the region are now shifting their view of golf from an elite hobby to a national asset.

“With the AGF strategic plan we have a pyramid structure, and the ultimate goal is to produce a Major champion from the Arab world.” Karim then points out Morocco’s Adam Bresnu, a recent breakthrough figure who became the first Arab-born player to make the cut in a DP World Tour Rolex Series event at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “It was such an emotional moment for us all there watching at Emirates Golf Club. He is such a great young man, with a lot of Arab people so proud and inspired by him.”

The LGF’s job is to create a pathway and remove barriers. Free junior programmes, local WAGR events, regional training camps and diaspora engagement are all pieces of the strategy. The next challenge is converting those pieces into something durable.

For a sport often presented as private and exclusive, the Golf Club of Lebanon behaves like a public square. “It is the place people gather, meet, and compete. It is where a child first holds a club and where our national team trains. It exists because people kept choosing to rebuild, despite the odds.”

That’s a fact of how sport in Lebanon has carried on through displacement and economic turbulence.

That’s the drive that matters to both the Lebanese players and its fans. It also matters to a sport that is trying to grow in a crowded field of issues.

“What Lebanon can do is make sure that the next generation has the chance to try, to fail, and to improve.

“Being involved with golf in Lebanon and the Arab Golf Federation is a privilege and an emotional connection to my father’s work.

“I’m not sure if he imagined exactly where we’d be today, but he always believed golf had an important place in the Arab world.”

Main image: Lebanese Golf Federation

This article was featured in the September 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine

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This month’s cover story dives into Keegan Bradley, who now faces the biggest test of his career as U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Bradley has thrived in the heat before, but leading Team USA places him under a different kind of pressure, one that could define his legacy.

We also track the latest developments from the PIF Global Series. After a headline-making stop in London, all eyes now shift to Houston as the series continues to shape the female game.

On the G4D Tour, Kipp Popert continues to push boundaries in the game. Already one of the most decorated players in the adaptive space, he now has his sights set on a fourth straight title at Wentworth.

Closer to home, Karim Salaam is doing his part to keep golf alive in Lebanon. With resources scarce and challenges everywhere, Salaam’s work is both rebuilding a sport and protecting a nation’s pride.

In our “How To Play” section, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald shares a bunker technique that will help you eliminate fat shots and play with confidence under pressure. Plus, Michael Thorbjornsen’s swing is under the microscope in our latest analysis.

For course lovers, we spotlight Bethpage Black, one of golf’s most demanding tests, and break down what makes a great matchplay venue. Then, from the brutal stretches of Bethpage to the artistry of Cypress Point, we uncover the elements that separate good from great!

All this and plenty more in the September 2025 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your FREE 2025 September edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The week-long celebration of Arab golf, hosted by the Arab Golf Federation, is marking 35 years since the Cup was played for at Emirates Golf Club in 1988, to celebrate the opening of the Majlis Golf Course.

Karim Salaam, President of the Lebanese Golf Federation and Arab Golf Federation Executive Committee member

President of the Lebanese Golf Federation and Arab Golf Federation Executive Committee member Karim Salaam, was delighted to announce the host venue, “It’s fantastic to be able to announce Riyadh Golf Club as the host venue. This is the objective of the Arab Golf Federation Cup that we play annually, which is to get the Arab community involved in the sport we love.”

Karim’s father, Salim Ali Salaam, was the founder of the Arab Golf Federation in 1975, and this year the federation is celebrating a successful 50 years of the Arab Golf Federation.

“My father was head of MEA Airlines in 1984, which is Lebanon’s national airline carrier. And at the time, he met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum to discuss what later became Emirates Airlines. He was able to convince him that, because he had an objective to have a national airline carrier for Dubai, he should have it in parallel with golf as the driving tool to get tourists.

Emirates Golf Club in the late 1980s – David Cannon

“So this is where we encouraged and supported Dubai to build the Majlis Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club, which was opened in March 1988. We then played our first Arab Golf Federation Cup on Dubai soil to celebrate the opening of the Majlis.

“Sheikh Hamdan was so happy that he immediately gave instructions to build Dubai Creek, which was opened in 1991. I still remember that we did a nine-hole demonstration for the opening of the course with Ernie Els and Raymond Floyd, so the Arab Golf Federation have a strong history of golf in the UAE.”

From there, Salim, who was a good friend of the now king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, convinced him to build a grass golf course in Bahrain as well. He then went to Qatar, and also convinced them, all part of the Arab Golf Federation nurturing.

1975 Arab Golf Federation Cup

“Thankfully, I was able to witness how Lebanon was able to influence what would later on become the Arab golf world as we know it today.

“I’m so proud of how the Emirates Golf Federation were able to develop the Arab Golf Federation, as they had the presidency for quite some time, but now with Saudi Arabia being able to change not only the local scene, but also the world scene is really impressive.”

1975 Arab Golf Federation Cup – Team Palestine

His Excellency Yasir Al-Yasir Al-Rumayyan President of the Arab Golf Federation, with Rory McIlroy – Ross Parker – SNS Group

Arab Golf Federations Pan Arab Junior and Ladies Golf Championship

“It’s emotional as well, because it’s something that my father would be proud of.

“I don’t know if he envisioned where we are today, but he definitely believed that golf is very important to have in the Arab world.”

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Main Image: Arab Golf Federation

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Sixty-six amateur golfers competed for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, Arab Golf Series points, and a coveted spot in the upcoming HotelPlanner Tour event – the UAE Challenge at Al Zorah.

How the Arab Golf Series is paving the way for future champions

The tournament was played over 54 holes, culminating in an 18-hole Stableford format for the final round.

In a dramatic Men’s Division play-off, UAE National Team player Sam Mullane emerged victorious after six tense holes. He battled against Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne, both fellow Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) members. With a sponsor’s invite to next week’s HotelPlanner Tour event at stake, Mullane’s victory was significant.

However, recognising the high level of competition and sportsmanship, the Emirates Golf Federation granted exemptions to both Pinto and Bryne, ensuring their participation in next week’s event alongside Mullane.

 

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Ladies’ Division Champion, Anca Mateiu delivered a stellar performance, shooting rounds of 65-68-73 for a 10-under-par total of 217.

 

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Junior Division Champion, Daniil Sokolov secured victory with a one-under-par total, finishing nine shots ahead of the runner-up. The Qatari National Team player’s outstanding performance also earned him a place in next week’s HotelPlanner Tour event, the UAE Challenge.

Group Photo of Winner and Sponsors at the 1st Cedars Golf Championship

During the prize presentation, attended by EGF Chairman His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi and Vice Chairman General Abdullah Alhashmi, Lebanese Golf Federation President Karim Salaam reflected on the significance of the tournament, “It is important for countries to stand with one another. Although Lebanon is going through difficult times, sport can serve as a powerful vehicle for diplomacy.

(R-L) President of the Lebanese Golf Federation Karim Salaam – EGF Chairman His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi – Vice Chairman General Abdullah Alhashmi

“Thank you to the Emirates Golf Federation and to our brothers and sisters in the UAE for this opportunity. We look forward to continuing to use this championship for more than just the development of golf.”

The Cedars Championship featured players from Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, and the UAE, alongside EGF members and UAE residents.

This event also marked the second tournament in the Arab Golf Series, an initiative launched by the Arab Golf Federation to promote competitive golf across the region.

With thrilling competition, outstanding performances, and a strong message of unity, the inaugural Cedars Championship was more than just a golf tournament—it was a testament to the power of sport in bringing nations together.

Main Image: Emirates Golf Federation

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