World’s Greatest Golfer Jack Nicklaus To Design Signature Championship Golf Course At Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia

Jack Nicklaus, the globally

renowned golf course designer and the greatest champion in

the game’s history with a record 18 professional major

championships to his name, has confirmed that he is

designing his first ever course in Saudi Arabia, a

championship golf course for Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s capital

of Entertainments, Sports and the Arts. The course, located

40 minutes from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, 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.

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 Mr. Nicklaus for his first visit to

Saudi Arabia in the coming months.”

Nicklaus, the most decorated player in the game’s history,

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 the Kingdom is a

great honor. 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.”

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, that once finished will

position the development as both the premier Golf and

Country Club and number one course in the Kingdom. It will

be constructed to the highest standards, with a view

to hosting the most prestigious international championships in

future years, challenging elite golfers while providing casual

players with an opportunity to enjoy the sport and develop

their skills.

“By being involved in this project, we hope to promote the

development and enjoyment of the game in the Kingdom,”

Nicklaus said. “We not only want to entice Saudi residents to

take up the great game of golf, but we also hope this presents

employment opportunities for citizens of the Kingdom that are

within or related to the golf industry. This mirrors the vision of

Qiddiya.”

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.

CEO of QIC, Philippe Gas commented; “The underlying

philosophy behind this entire development is to introduce a

new, active lifestyle to the people of Saudi Arabia. This project

has been carefully planned to ensure an unmatched resort

experience for both golfers and regular guests. We expect the

Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and residential offering

to provide the most entertaining challenge for golfers and

the most appealing homesteads for residents seeking an

extraordinary lifestyle.”