Golf Saudi has announced the creation of its first ‘National Golf Week’, which will take place from Sunday to Sunday (Jan. 30 – Feb. 6, 2022). Multiple golf activities and opportunities will be organized throughout the Kingdom for all generations and playing abilities, as part of Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation program. The feature week will also include the 2022 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, helping to raise further awareness of the sport. Officially starting on Jan. 30, ‘National Golf Week’ will provide all golf courses and facilities with the equipment needed to engage with new and existing audiences enabling them to experience exciting activities across a range of locations. During the week itself, complimentary golf lessons will be provided to all those who express an interest, as well as a schools’ championship for up-and-coming junior stars. With Golf Saudi aiming to shine a light on the positives playing golf can offer. Golf Saudi will continue their efforts in communicating the many great benefits golf can bring with a particular emphasis on the clear impact on physical, mental and social health. As part of Golf Saudi’s Social Agenda and its focus on education and employment opportunities, events will be organised to help connect Saudi-based professionals working in the golf industry to share learnings and best practise. Golf Saudi is also working with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) to develop a program, which will be launched at the 2022 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers that promotes golf to Saudi’s with disabilities, with the intention of making the game fully inclusive. Additionally, as part of a monumental shift on the Asian Tour, the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will be taking place between Feb. 3-6. 2022 and will showcase a number of activations and initiatives to support National Golf Week, including a takeover on the famous 16th hole by school children. The lucky winners of art competitions will also have their designs printed on course boarding which will be visible to the world of golf. The tournament will showcase some of the best names in the game, identifying new role models as a means of increasing participation and developing future home-grown domestic players. Commenting on Golf Saudi’s first-ever ‘National Golf Week’, Majed Al Sorour, deputy chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We are already very excited about this great initiative and I hope it lasts for years to come. “At Golf Saudi, we endorse encouraging as many Saudis as possible to get involved in not just golf but other sports too. As both a physical and mental activity, golf is a great way to build confidence and playing with others can play an important role in helping to build an active and fun social life.” Al Sorour continued: “Our inaugural ‘National Golf Week’ will support our Vision 2030 goals in terms of encouraging as many Saudis as possible to get active, regardless of their age, gender or how good they are at golf, we at Golf Saudi want to celebrate the golfing achievements of all those who take part next February.” ‘National Golf Week’ is another milestone within Golf Saudi’s long-term vision and mission and key aspect of the organisation’s Mass Participation program. Golf Saudi remains committed to its Vision 2030 goals and will continue to prioritize the promotion of the game by creating interest and touch points throughout the Kingdom for all Saudis, through activations such as ‘National Golf Week’. Bouchaib El Jadiani, head of mass participation & national teams at Golf Saudi, said: “Heading-up Golf Saudi’s Mass Participation program, I know first-hand the positive impact that golf can play in the lives of young Saudis. “No place is this clearer than in my additional role with the Saudi National Teams, where each weekend I am lucky enough to see these young Saudi men and women not only compete in international tournaments but also enjoy themselves as golf gives them the opportunity to develop, learn and compete. That is why schemes such as ‘National Golf Week’ are so important in terms of bringing this great game to the people of Saudi Arabia.” —