Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

King Abdullah Economic City – the largest privately-funded new metropolis in the world – covers a vast 181-square kilometre area and is situated less than a 2-hour drive north of Jeddah, on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The project consists of a Red Sea port, industrial areas and five residential districts, one of which, Al Murooj, is the setting for the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club development.

Construction of the golf course began in 2008 and sixteen of the holes were shaped before the global recession halted proceedings. Work recommenced six years later but it took until the end of 2017 before the clubhouse finally opened its doors to golfers with Troon Golf, the world’s largest operator of upmarket golf course facilities, managing the business.

The course has been grassed throughout with Paspalum Dynasty, a new strain of the salt and heat tolerant grass that doesn’t discolour during changeable weather conditions so the club doesn’t need to overseed with other grasses. The irrigation system, designed by UK- based company Irritech using Rainbird equipment, provides the all-important application of water, wasting as little as possible.

Notable holes on the course include the 470-yard 6th, the longest and toughest par four on the card, which doglegs left to the target and the 427-yard 15th, where the fairway also veers left from the tee towards a green that’s sited very close to the beach. The front and back nines conclude with demanding par fives, with water running along one side on either hole.

Architect Dave Sampson commented as follows: “The design intention was to create a course rich with variety and choice which the golfer will never tire of. With the prevailing wind off the Red Sea, the course has been routed in such a way that holes play in multiple directions, creating a layout brimming with risk-and-reward choices and opportunities for creative and varied shot making.’’

During the summer of 2018, the Saudi Arabia Golf Federation confirmed that a new European Tour event will take place at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club from January 31 to February 3 2019, featuring Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose and Thomas Bjorn.

With the aim of establishing the Tournament as a leading fixture on the European Tour schedule, the SGF announcement also mentioned a special focus on families, community, charity and junior development as the Kingdom looks to develop its golfing pedigree. Dustin Johnson won the inaugural event by two shots and he reclaimed the title in 2021.

In November 2021, Royal Greens will host the last of four stages of the Aramco Team Series – the first team event of its kind on any professional golf tour – when three female professionals team up with an amateur. The unique series spans three continents with tournaments in London (Centurion Club), Sotogrande (La Reserva), New York (Glen Oaks) and Jeddah (Royal Greens).