Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course, Shura Links, is set to be fully operational next year, Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced.
The golf course and clubhouse on Shura Island at The Red Sea, will feature holes on the water, marina views and spectacular fairways framed by the Red Sea.
The par 72 Shura Links course tops out at a championship length of 7,500 yards but offers multiple tees and every hole has been designed to provide maximum variety and playability. Holes four to seven hug the coastline, while holes 14 to 18 provide a crescendo finish with each enjoying a backdrop of open sea or channel views. The 18th hole finishes below the Clubhouse.
“Shura Links will provide an unparalleled golfing experience, offering a visually stunning, natural course right here on the Red Sea,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG.
“As ever, it’s not enough for us to provide spectacular experiences and world class playing conditions. We are committed to ensuring Shura Links aligns with our ambition to set new sustainability standards. From innovative turf management and careful foliar feeding, we’re putting respect for nature above everything else.
“We’ve already commenced with turfing the fairways and look forward to welcoming first players to this unique course.”
The iconic Clubhouse is designed by Foster + Partners. It follows the overall Coral Bloom design concept on Shura Island, also created by Foster + Partners, which takes inspiration from the incredible flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia.
The course has been designed in partnership with world-renowned golf architect Brian Curley, the designer behind the world’s largest golf facility, Mission Hills Golf Club.
Developed in partnership with world-leading environmental consultants, Shura Links will focus on sustainable measures at the club, such as water-use reduction and innovative re-use of irrigation for habitat development.
GREEN DEVELOPMENT
RSG is working with the OnCourse platform to ensure sustainability is at the heart of Shura Links. Water consumption is reduced through the careful selection of turf grass and soil sensors to understand moisture levels and minimize water use. It is also using the innovative POGO turf management system to measure key variables that influence growth and performance, including salinity, temperature and weather, helping to inform decision making and irrigation efficiency. The course also uses foliar feeding incorporating natural nutrients like seaweed to ensure a precision approach that maximizes nutrient uptake while mitigating against nutrient run off, and maintains the quality of turfgrass and golf playing surfaces.
Of the 140-hectare site, just 20 per cent is maintained turf. The designers purposely developed a natural golf course, using irregular turf lines and transitional bunkering with outside edges that blend into the natural dunes.
On top of this, RSG is developing a Habitat Development and Protection Plan that will explore ways to encourage the island’s wildlife to thrive. This includes research into whether the course’s irrigation system can be used to accelerate mangrove growth around the course.
Golf Saudi has been awarded a contract to manage the golf course and operations. The 18-hole championship course will be accessible to all 11 hotels on Shura Island, as well as guests staying at other resorts at The Red Sea. A second course is in the works as part of subsequent phases of the destination’s development and is part of Saudi’s ambition to become the world’s next golf destination.