Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, has officially opened for play, marking a significant milestone in the country's ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. Situated in the breathtaking Red Sea, this new course is set to become a premier destination for both international tourism and sporting events.
Designed by renowned architect Brian Curley and managed by Golf Saudi, the course is a masterful blend of strategic design and environmental consciousness. The layout features just 70 acres of irrigated turf, utilizing drought and salt-tolerant grass to minimize water usage. The landscape seamlessly integrates with the natural desert flora, palms, and flowering trees across vast sand expanses, and the irrigation system, supplied by Toro, is designed for maximum efficiency.
"Our goal was to create a course that is both strategic and forgiving," said Curley. "Too many desert courses penalize golfers with lost balls in thick vegetation. Here, the course is framed by brilliant white sand and open expanses punctuated with bursts of natural dunes vegetation that inspire creativity while keeping the game moving."
The 7,400-yard layout plays in two loops of nine, winding through native mangroves and white dunes. Many of the holes hug the stunning Red Sea shoreline, offering golfers breathtaking views. The course is built for varied play, with wide corridors, firm fairways, and open approaches that are particularly valuable in coastal conditions.
Signature holes include the dune-framed par-3s on the 6th and 15th holes, which play directly toward the Red Sea. The dramatic, driveable par-4 16th hole offers a tempting risk-reward opportunity late in the round.
Beyond the course itself, Shura Links is equipped to support both resort play and professional tournaments, featuring an expansive practice range, a short-game area, a two-acre putting course, and a modernist clubhouse designed by Foster + Partners.
Shura Links is a key component of the larger Shura Island development, which will include 11 luxury hotels from prestigious brands like Four Seasons, Raffles, Rosewood, and Jumeirah. The island, located just 30 minutes from Red Sea International Airport, is designed to be accessible yet exclusive.
John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, the developer of Shura Island, expressed his pride in the project. "Shura Links sets a new benchmark for the game of golf in the region. It's more than just a course – it’s a place to connect, challenge yourself and experience the full beauty of The Red Sea," he said. "This is another proud milestone in our mission to reshape global tourism through sustainability and design, and a significant step in building Red Sea Global’s diverse sports portfolio, aligning perfectly with Vision 2030’s goal of establishing Saudi Arabia as a premier global sporting destination."
The opening of Shura Links represents a bold stride forward for Saudi Arabia as it diversifies its economy and solidifies its place on the world stage as a top-tier destination for sports and luxury travel.
Related: Shura Links the Kingdom's first-ever island golf course to debut soon
