9 A new 18-hole golf course by Sir Nick Faldo’s design team will open in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, in 2026. Qiddiya City, one of the world’s largest city developments, is 22 miles southwest of Riyadh. It is designed to boost tourism and centres on sport, culture and entertainment. The Faldo layout has been built in a dramatic location, directly below the 200-metre cliffs of the kingdom’s Tuwaiq Mountains. “We had a design workshop with the client team and the masterplanners to kick off the routing process,” said Andrew Haggar, lead golf course architect at Faldo Design. “Prior to that, following a visit from Sir Nick to the existing site and on his suggestion, we pushed the proposed golf course site further east so that it was properly situated in the amphitheatre of the cliffs, which meant that they would become a dominant backdrop and a very real part of the golf course experience and strategy.” The Faldo team routed a course that would take advantage of the cliffs while also incorporating the significant network of wadis (dry riverbeds) on the site. “We wanted to achieve returning sixes and returning nines,” said Haggar. “We achieved both and, at the same time, set up the possibility for three six-hole loops, all from the clubhouse. The clubhouse location needed a 360-degree area around it because, together with the 18-hole course, we had to have the practice range and short course in close proximity as well.” The clubhouse, academy and practice facilities designed by Pattersons are expected to open in 2028. “The Qiddiya City public course is not only a championship venue,” said Gareth Williams, consulting golf course architect at Faldo Design. “It is also a place for player development. Those new to the game can pass through a range of facilities – from practice tees and greens, through to short and longer academy holes, before stepping foot on the championship course.” Haggar added: “Fortunately, we had the room to do this and without topographical restrictions. The doubleended range fits perfectly into a corner with the cliffs wrapping around it on two sides. We feel that we’ve extracted the maximum possible visual impact with the routing of both courses.” The championship course has been built by Saudi Salco Contracting Company partnering with Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management, under the supervision of Jasara Program Management Company, and has been grassed with Platinum TE paspalum, supplied by Atlas Turf Arabia. Platinum TE paspalum was chosen for its heat, salt and drought tolerance, which makes it an ideal selection for the Middle East climate. “We were all agreed that we wanted to push as far as we could into the corner where the third hole sits,” said Haggar. “This would take the golfer as close to the base of the cliffs as possible and give a real sense of scale. It’s a wonderfully natural corner of the site and holes one and two also take advantage of their location close to the cliffs. There is a magnificent rock buttress that sits to Photo: Qiddiya Investment Company
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