Saudi Arabia is set to get its first golf course with holes on the water in about a year when the Shura Links golf course opens.

Saudi Arabian tourism destination development company Red Sea Global (RSG), which is developing Red Sea and Amaala, two of the largest tourism destinations under construction in the world, has finalised the name and designs of its golf course and clubhouse on Shura Island at the Red Sea.

In a press statement RSG says that the golf course, Shura Links, promises a one-of-a-kind golf experience, offering Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course with holes on the water, marina views and spectacular fairways framed by the Red Sea.

The statement adds that developed in partnership with world-leading environmental consultants, Shura Links is guided by the highest sustainability standards, addressing a number of areas in tandem such as water-use reduction and innovative re-use of irrigation for habitat development.

“Shura Links will provide an unparallelled golfing experience, offering a visually stunning, natural course right here on the Red Sea. As ever, it is 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,’’ says John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG.

“We have already commenced with turfing the fairways and look forward to welcoming first players to this unique course,” Pagano adds.

The statement adds that the clubhouse has been designed by Foster + Partners. It follows the overall coral bloom design concept on Shura Island, also created by the same company and which takes inspiration from the diverse flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia.

RSG says that 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 at Shenzhen in China.

“There are very few places in the world that can offer year-round sunshine, stunning vermilion sunsets and a wonderfully natural design. Shura has it all. We expect everyone from professionals to beginners to be drawn to this unique course and have designed it accordingly. There’s plenty to challenge the world’s best, while stirring the senses of amateurs looking for the greatest playing experience,’’ says Curley, Principal of Wagner-Curley Design.

The statement adds that the designers incorporated width off the tee making the course suitable for beginners. It also includes challenging features that ensures the course is tournament quality, opening the possibility for staging major events in the future. There is also a two-acre putting course that the designers expect to rival the best in the world.

RSG says it 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.

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 pc 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 dunescapes.

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.

RSG says that 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.