Sir Nick Faldo spent over three decades competing in golf as a major-winning player, throughout time then developed into a broadcaster and now designer, with his latest project taking him to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Set against the Tuwaiq mountains, Qiddiya City, a major new development outside Riyadh, will feature a signature 18-hole championship course from Faldo Design, along with a clubhouse, academy and practice facilities. The city will also become the Kingdom’s base for the Faldo Series, a global pathway for young golfers.
“This is a unique opportunity to become involved in one of the most exciting cities being developed today where a new way of city life is fused together with sport, entertainment and culture,” said Sir Nick. “Our partnership with Qiddiya City brings together the golf community with a whole nation bubbling with energy to be active and try new sports.”
The course will open to the public in 2026, with the supporting clubhouse and academy following in 2028. It’ll sit intensely beneath the 200-metre cliffs of the Tuwaiq Mountains, offering a setting rarely seen on championship golf courses. “I made the decision to go in and use the 650-foot-high cliffs.
“I should think it’s an architects dream to be able to just dream up something unbelievable and then be able to go and build it,” Faldo said.
68-year-old Sir Nick sees the course as a visually natural fit for the landscape. “I think it’s going to be iconic. Every hole is literally an instant postcard.” The design balances accessibility with challenge, as it has a three-hole return system built into the design, to allow players of all levels to enjoy the course and floodlighting for night golf playing hours.
Faldo’s focus is on giving people, specifically juniors, the chance to engage with golf at all levels. “If you’ve got the opportunity to try the game and then learn the game, and then maybe compete at the game. I think you put all of that together. I think the way you plant a seed is opportunity and I think you’re (Qiddiya) creating a great opportunity for people to come and play, experience at every level.”
The Faldo Series has been a backburner throughout Faldo’s work for 30 years, providing young golfers with competitive opportunities and mentorship. Matthew, who works alongside his father, highlighted the significance of bringing the series to Saudi Arabia. “70% of Saudi’s are under the age of 35. Using golf as that vehicle to give them life skills as well as playing an amazing sport is pretty cool.” Our (Faldo Series) partnership for the series has allowed us to create so many more tournaments, opportunities for the players worldwide, but then also the Saudi juniors as well.”
The course, academy, and clubhouse will form part of a wider community hub, with Patterson’s green-roofed clubhouse linking the three spaces wellness, social spaces, and leisure facilities together.
It’s clear to see that this project is another step in Sir Nick’s career, defined by creating opportunity and growth, for both himself and for the next generation. “We’re (Faldo Design) unbelievably excited about the project at Qiddiya. When we first went there (2023) with the vision of what we could do, we knew the backdrop would be instantly recognisable, and now we’re really able to bring everything to the game of golf.”
“Qiddiya City could be the future of junior golf. A global hub for young golfers to come and play and compete,” Faldo said.
For a country continuously building its golf pedigree, and having a legend like Sir Nick Faldo directly involved, could mark a new chapter for golf in Saudi Arabia.
Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media
X
YouTube
Main Image: Supplied
Subsribe to Golf Digest Middle East Newsletter
