Abdullah Kamakhi has been accepted into the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA), positioning him to become Saudi Arabia’s first golf course architect.
Kamakhi studied landscape architecture at Arizona State University before working as a landscape designer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. In 2019, Abdullah joined Golf Saudi and begun his journey in the golf industry.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity and the support that Golf Saudi has given me,” said Kamakhi. “Since joining in 2019, my curiosity for golf, particularly golf course design, quickly grew and I was able to work under some great golf course architects and agronomists to give me invaluable resources to learn from. I’m extremely motivated to continue along this career path and be a part of Golf Saudi’s incredible vision to design sustainable environments throughout the kingdom.”
Creating new jobs for Saudi nationals within the golf industry continues to remain a priority for Golf Saudi. Investments continue to be made to provide individuals with the opportunity to learn from industry experts as well as through training and qualifications.
Majed Al Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, said: “This is one of the most rewarding parts of the job, seeing Abdullah thrive in a career path that, only a few years ago, didn’t exist within Saudi Arabia. Abdullah has shown great enthusiasm and a commitment to learning since joining Golf Saudi in 2019 and now we get to see him take the next exciting step in his career.
“Access and infrastructure forms one of Golf Saudi’s key pillars, with the aim for golf to be sustainable and accessible to all within Saudi Arabia, Abdullah will be an integral part of the team in the years to come to make this vision a reality. I hope Abdullah’s story inspires other Saudi nationals to pursue a career in golf and help to grow this great game in our beautiful kingdom.”
Kamakhi will begin a two-year course at the EIGCA in May 2021 and could become the country’s first-ever qualified golf course architect by mid-2023.