Golf Saudi take their world-first GoGolf coaching scheme to Seoul – giving South Korean kids free lessons at the LET’s Aramco Korea Championship

                          

• Saudi coaches lead clinics for 300+ expats & Korean kids alike at Seoul event
• Hundreds take part as Golf Saudi continues to grow golf in KSA & globally

  Tournament organizers Golf Saudi are hoping to have laid the foundations for future Saudi and South Korean champion golfers after taking their world-first free coaching initiative GoGolf to Seoul as part of the Aramco Korea Championship.

Played as part of the new-look PIF Global Series, the $2million prize-fund Aramco Korea Championship brought more than 100 of the world’s best golfers together at New Korea Country Club, May 9-11. Team Kouskova – led by Czech star, Sara Kouskova – and local hero Hyo Joo Kim were crowed team and individual winners respectively, following three challenging days in the South Korean capital.

And while the PIF Global Series aims to elevate women’s golf and drive greater equality at the peak of the professional game, organizers Golf Saudi are also focused on driving the grassroots growth of golf both domestically in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

Into the swing of things in Seoul

In line with that, a team of Golf Saudi’s leading coaches and global ambassadors came together to host an international GoGolf coaching clinic on-site at the Aramco Korea Championship.

GoGolf is Golf Saudi’s world-first golf coaching initiative that offers all new golfers in Saudi Arabia three months of free golf lessons. Once completed, each aspiring golfer is given a year of discounted rounds of golf at golf courses across the Kingdom, plus further discounted lessons and reduced-price club memberships. To date, an estimated 70,000 free lessons have been given as part of GoGolf, driving a 300% increase in Saudi golfers since 2022, with 3,000 Saudi women taking up the game since 2021.

In Seoul, Golf Saudi’s GoGolf lessons welcomed more than 300 young South Koreans and Saudi-born expats for three days of on-ground coaching clinics. Led by Golf Saudi’s GoGolf coaches, the sessions also featured tips and guidance from Golf Saudi ambassadors, all held at the tournament’s official driving range.

“At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” said Muath Al Alsheikh, Program Manager at GoGolf. “We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that’s why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons – and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul.

“It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants – amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf.” 

Hands-on coaching for future world champion golfers

Lessons included fun swing sessions for kids aged between 5-8 years old, brought to the event through a partnership with South Korean non-profit golf development scheme, First Tee.

First Tee Executive Director, Mr Choi, said: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Golf Saudi and the PIF Global Series Aramco Korea Championship for bringing the GoGolf initiative to Seoul and for giving our First Tee children an unforgettable opportunity that will stay with them for a lifetime.

“This meaningful encounter has inspired us to pursue a vision: creating a more inclusive and community-centered golf culture together with Golf Saudi. To achieve our shared goal, we believe that if Golf Saudi continues to nurture the next generation of golf talent into world-class athletes, and we do our part to ensure that more young children have the opportunity to dream and grow through golf, then our dream of uniting the world through golf will surely become a reality.

“To the GoGolf team, who are playing such a vital role in setting young Saudi golfers on their journey – thank you once again for being with our First Tee children.”

There were also sessions given to Saudi expats living in Seoul, themselves with eyes on one-day becoming Saudi Arabia’s first international champion golfers.

Expat Abrar Abdulwahab was one of the more than 100 Saudis who took part in the GoGolf lessons at New Korea Country Club. She said: “I really enjoyed GoGolf. I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I’ll continue learning more – it’s been a wonderful experience.”

Fellow Saudi expat, Fahad Al-Qahtani, added: “I’m extremely grateful for this program and its organizers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.” 

GoGolf is available year-round for Saudis to register to learn to play golf across Saudi Arabia. For more information, visit www.golfsaudi.com/Go_Golf