This week, some of the finest golfers from around the world will descend upon the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for the US$5mil PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers. Aside from this prestigious tournament, Royal Greens has also played host to the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Ladies Team International, both on the Ladies European Tour. It also hosted the 2019 and 2020 Saudi International.
18th hole of Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Royal Greens, which opened its doors in September 2017, embodies unparalleled prestige as a golf destination for both the game’s enthusiasts as well as for those who are just starting to indulge in the sport. It has a distinctive appeal for those looking for an exclusive lifestyle experience.
The 18-hole championship Royal Greens Golf & Country Club is located in the Al Murooj district within the fast-emerging King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) on the West Coast of Saudi Arabia. The KAEC, situated 100km north of central Jeddah, covers 181sq km of natural landscape. It is set along the coastline of the Red Sea, a panoramic vista that is appreciated and enjoyed by golfers and visitors to the clubhouse.
The main idea behind Royal Greens is to give its members an exclusive lifestyle and avid golfers an opportunity to enjoy the challenging aspect of its verdant greenery.
The high-end international 18-hole golf course plays to a par 70 with a maximum length of over 7,048 yards. Designed by European Golf Design, the course is characterised by smatterings of wadi and lake features that meander throughout the layout and regular-sized bunkers. The wadi feature plays a significant strategic role in terms of playability and a functional one, helping to alleviate storm drainage from the golf course and the adjacent neighbourhood.
The well-manicured grassed areas contrast seamlessly with freeform desert waste bunker edges. The subtle, bold contouring and seeming imperfections add character and intrigue to the layout. It would be interesting to watch how the world-class players manoeuvre the varying challenges dotted along the fairways and greens.
The par 5s are reachable in two for long hitters on a calm day. Water running along the fairways may prove challenging for some, but most professionals would be able to carry them easily. The par 4s may look easy, but they can play longer on a windy day, especially when the breeze comes in from the Red Sea. The greens can be pretty undulating, and one needs to be in a good approach position to land onto the right spot to make the putt.
The 16th par 3 is probably one of the most scenic and challenging holes on the layout
The par 3 16th 180 yards hole is probably one of the most scenic and challenging holes’ on the layout. The Red Sea frames the entire left side and when the wind blows in from the sea, golfers have a choice of either hanging the shot out over the ocean and watch it come back on the breeze or draw the ball into it. The green slopes gently from back to front and right to left towards the ocean.
There is also a golf academy featuring state-of-the-art facilities, large practice areas, a driving range with swing studios, and putting, chipping, and bunker greens areas.
This week professionals from around the world will be able to experience the world-class design of the layout and the luxurious award-winning clubhouse. The clubhouse design has a distinctive Italian Miesian Mediterranean architectural style. Products were sourced worldwide to make each room a unique piece of art. It is said that Royal Greens has set a new standard in luxury golf within Saudi and the Middle East.
Justin Rose of England plays his tee shot on the 1st hole during the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers . (Photo by Andrew Redington/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
Royal Greens is accessible via the local road and rail network or air. It is 20 minutes from Jeddah airport via the Haramain High Speed Rail network.
