Golf course designer and champion in the game’s history with a record 18 professional major championships to his name, Jack Nicklaus, is designing his first ever course in Saudi Arabia, a championship golf course for Qiddiya.
The course, located 40 minutes from the Saudi capital, is under design and is awaiting commencement of construction.
Jack and Nicklaus Design are creating the championship course for a private golf and country club, set within an exclusive residential community in the heart of the Qiddiya development, just outside Riyadh, with ground expected to be broken later this year. The golf course will be framed by the majestic Tuwaiq mountain range.
Construction began on the Qiddiya project in 2019 and the golf development will include a high-end resort hotel and spa, as well as exclusive residences.
It will be constructed to the highest standards, with a view to hosting the most prestigious international championships in future years.
Commenting on Jack Nicklaus’ involvement, His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation said: “To have the greatest-ever golfer commit to making his mark upon our developing golf landscape in Saudi Arabia and at a project as significant as Qiddiya gives us great pride.
“To be part of the Nicklaus legacy will be something that we will always cherish, especially knowing the positive impact it will have on growing awareness of the sport at a domestic level, whilst increasing our national visibility as a vibrant new golf destination. We are looking forward to welcoming Jack Nicklaus for his first visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming months.”
Nicklaus commented: “I am excited by this project and my first golf course design in the Middle East. To be selected as one of the first international designers to work in Saudi is a great honour.
“I’ve already spent time looking at the topography of the land, images of the backdrop and terrain, and discussing with our design team a strategy for the course. The design will fully integrate the natural environment and the beautiful Qiddiya landscape, bringing together green spaces and mountainous terrain to form a picturesque canvas for both a beautiful and challenging golf course.”
The planning of the course has been undertaken by Qiddiya in consultation with Golf Saudi. The Nicklaus-designed course is the centrepiece of what has been positioned as the most exclusive golf residential community in the Kingdom.
Further expanding the sport of golf in the Kingdom, Qiddiya will be seeking designers for a second course. Together, the two courses will provide top-notch golfing facilities for residents and day visitors to Qiddiya, from elite players to those just learning the sport.