Riyadh hosts Peace and Sport Middle East Forum 2023

Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Golf Saudi, in partnership with Aramco and the Public Investment Fund, has announced that tickets for the Aramco Team Series are now on sale, giving sports fans in the Kingdom the chance to attend the capital’s first-ever professional golf tournament.

The series, which is affiliated with the Ladies European Tour and takes place from Oct. 27-29, has a unique dual format which teams up the world’s best golfers with amateur players in an exciting four-person team tournament, alongside a simultaneous individual event.

The 84-player field, which will feature four stars in the top 20, includes world No. 1 Lilia Vu, who will be battling to make the cut on the final day.

The top 60 will compete for the individual title and a prize fund of $1 million, as well as Race to Costa Del Sol and Rolex World Ranking points.

Chiara Noja last year became the youngest professional winner on the Ladies European Tour, at the age of 16. The German player, who is now a Golf Saudi ambassador, secured a thrilling playoff win over English star Charley Hull at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

The Riyadh event marks the launch of the new strategic partnership between the Aramco Team Series and the Future Investment Initiative Institute.

Business leaders can engage in panel discussions powered by the FII Institute around Aramco Team Series’ strategic pillars at the event.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “As a further catalyst for the game of golf both locally and globally, we are delighted to welcome the world to Riyadh for the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF Riyadh.

“This is a significant moment for golf and sport in Saudi, and we are immensely proud to be hosting the first-ever professional golf tournament in Riyadh.

“The event programme will showcase golf to a whole new audience, while providing family friendly opportunities for attendees to experience golf through interactive and fun learning sessions at on-site golf clinics and academies.

“We want to encourage, enable and inspire the next generation of golfers in Saudi Arabia and we look forward to welcoming the Riyadh community and beyond to this exciting event.

“We will also celebrate the launch of our exciting new strategic partnership with the FII Institute, providing new opportunities for leaders at the intersection of golf and business.”

This year marks the third edition of the Aramco Team Series in the Kingdom. The first event to be played away from the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club gives 7.6 million Riyadh residents the chance to watch quality women’s professional golf in person for the first time.

This further underscores the drive for diversity, inclusivity, and excellence in golf that Aramco has been working to promote through its role as title partner for the series.

Khalid Zamil, Aramco’s vice president of public affairs, said: “At Aramco we are proud of our efforts to support and grow the women’s game worldwide with the Aramco Team Series.

“Through these efforts we can grow the game on a global scale and create opportunities which elevate women’s golf and encourage the next generation of young females, sustainably growing the game in the region and around the world.”

The Riyadh event falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to mark this a 5 km walking route named the Pink Ribbon Trail will weave its way through the golf club.

The Aramco Team Series also pledges to plant a tree for each ticket purchased, and for every birdie made by a player across the three days of the tournament. The number of trees planted will be tracked in the fan village where spectators will also be able to contribute to the total through fun challenges.