Saudi Arabia’s investment into the sports sector continues to take off with the announcement of a partnership between Golf Saudi, the Kingdom’s leading commercial developers of golf, and Topgolf Callaway Brands, the global leader in modern golf, bringing their golf entertainment venues and wider innovative product offering to Saudi.
This collaboration between Golf Saudi and Topgolf Callaway Brands not only aims to engage a wider audience through the latest technologies but also to co-innovate and propel the future of golf within Saudi, one of the world’s fastest-growing golf ecosystems.
As part of the overall agreement, Topgolf – the world’s premier golf-entertainment experience with more than 100 outdoor venues globally – will launch in Saudi with three brand new facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. Future expansion to locations across Saudi Arabia are expected, with details to follow in due course.
Topgolf’s unique approach, combining a social experience with gamified golf, has brought the game closer to golfers and non-golfers alike. Recent research in the U.S. conducted by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) shows that 10% of all new golfers took up the sport following a visit to a Topgolf venue.
In addition to the exclusive franchise agreement of Topgolf entertainment venues, Golf Saudi will also become the exclusive distributor of Toptracer technologies, which will bring the latest ball tracing technologies to the driving ranges that are to be built across the Kingdom.
Furthermore, Golf Saudi will become the official Saudi distributor of Topgolf Callaway Brands’ equipment and apparel brands, which include Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Ogio and TravisMathew. Callaway Golf will also sponsor Saudi’s professional golfers, as well as provide the official attire of the Saudi national golf team. TravisMathew and Ogio will become the equipment and apparel brands for the Saudi men’s, women’s, and junior national teams.
With Saudi interest in golf growing every day, the arrival of Topgolf Callaway Brands, – which includes one of global golf’s most exciting brand names – into the Kingdom marks yet another key milestone in Saudi’s ongoing golfing development.
Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi – the commercial entity developing golf infrastructure in Saudi Arabia – said: “Our partnership with Topgolf Callaway Brands marks a pivotal moment for golf in Saudi Arabia. Our golf infrastructure has been rapidly evolving and this multi-brand deal with Topgolf Callaway Brands will accelerate the game we love across the whole ecosystem. Topgolf has brilliantly tackled the age-old challenge of accessibility, bringing joy and innovation to the game of golf for everyone. We are confident that we’ve found the right long-term partner to leverage the fast-developing sports and golf canvas in Saudi Arabia, and to co-innovate to help shape the future of golf in Saudi and beyond.”
Alireza continued: “This partnership ladders back to Golf Saudi’s role in achieving the goals of Vision 2030. We are driven by improving the lives and opportunities of all Saudis and expats living in the country. Opening Topgolf will not only get thousands of people into playing golf and enjoying the health and wellness benefits that come with that, but it will also bring hundreds of new jobs to young Saudis, which is another part of our ambitions of building a far-reaching and sustainable golf ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.”
Managing Director and President, EMEA for Callaway Golf and former Topgolf Chief Franchise Officer Ben Sharpe said: “We’re excited to enter another market in the Middle East with three venues in Saudi Arabia. We have found a strong partner in Golf Saudi to help us bring our modern golf brands – Topgolf, Toptracer, Callaway Golf, Odyssey, Ogio and TravisMathew – to the region and help transform Saudi Arabia into an exceptional golfing nation. This partnership will ensure Topgolf Callaway Brands and Golf Saudi continue to drive the game of golf forward into the future, working together to explore and innovate, and develop what comes next in the game we love.”
Today’s announcement was made by Golf Saudi and Topgolf Callaway Brands – alongside Topgolf’s proprietary technology partner, Toptracer.
To find out more, visit www.golfsaudi.com or www.topgolfcallawaybrands.com
