DAMMAM — There are a total of 11,623 open spaces for cultural activities in Saudi Arabia, according to a recent report.
These include urban centers, festival grounds, children’s playgrounds, public parks, and municipal squares, in addition to 48 popular and heritage markets. These markets are an example of the public squares available for holding local cultural festivals, and these represent an urban environment with which members of the community of all segments can interact, Al-Watan newspaper reported.
The report showed that the number of tourist trips for domestic tourists, which include cultural activities, reached unprecedented levels, with a total of 10.5 million trips in the first 10 months of 2021. This figure recorded a growth rate of 24 percent compared to 2019.
There has been a growing tendency on the part of domestic tourists to participate in cultural activities, with an increase of 18-20 percent. In another sense, one among each five tourist trips includes participation in one or more cultural activities. This is a general positive indicator of the growing interest in cultural activities, which means an increase in demand for the cultural show mainly related to tourism, such as attendance and participation in festivals and cultural events, and visiting heritage and archaeological sites. The cultural presence in open spaces is not limited to cultural events, but takes diverse forms, including mobile libraries, literature platforms, and display of murals and various forms of arts.
The report also highlighted the diversity of the cultural shows, and its availability and ease of access for the unaffluent members of the society. This shows that the cultural practices are no longer an elite affair, and that the cultural field is not limited to certain age groups with a prominence for elders and far from catering to the interests of the younger generation.
There was discrepancy in the frequency of cultural activities between various segments of society. This was evident from the fact that the participation of individuals belonging to higher economic levels frequently increases in cultural activities compared to their counterparts from the lower economic strata.
According to the data of the Cultural Participation Survey for 2021, the vast majority of the survey participants stated that they participate in the nearest cultural event being held in a public space no more than 40 minutes away from a car drive, and that only a quarter of the participants can reach these events in open public places in less than 20 minutes.
Despite Lee Westwood’s claims, golfers have not been singled out for special attention during dalliances with Saudi Arabia. In fact the ease with which the Saudis have breezed into the golf scene – both male and female – serves as a reminder of the charmed life players lead. What a rude awakening they – and their representatives – would encounter if they had the levels of focus bestowed on Premier League clubs.
Westwood is candid about participating in the upcoming LIV Golf Series on the basis of chasing money. As a cost of living crisis impacts upon the ability of millions to heat their homes or put fuel in their cars, the relish of Westwood – hardly a pauper – for a $25m golf tournament in Hertfordshire is pretty distasteful but not a patch on an extended defence of his actions.
“They [Saudi Arabia] are trying to make changes quickly, and that’s probably worrying a lot of people and scaring a lot of people,” Westwood said. On 12 March this year, the Kingdom carried out the execution of 81 people. That feels considerably more scary than the rapid pace of modernisation Westwood perceives. A spokesperson for UPS, a longtime sponsor of Westwood, hardly delivered a ringing endorsement when asked what the firm thinks of high-profile athletes gleefully accepting Saudi swag. “We are constantly evaluating our sponsorship and partnership decisions and will continue to monitor this situation,” they said.
As Greg Norman, the public face of Saudi’s golf exploits, carries out media duties with hand-picked outlets this week, there is further cause to ponder the absurdity of the entire scheme. Norman announced a $2bn boost to something that made no commercial sense in the first place. The Australian stated he did not answer to Mohammed bin Salman, as if the crown prince would take a direct interest in the tee times of Robert Garrigus. Norman is very keen to portray golfers as independent contractors. Maybe they are.
Greg Norman, pictured (right) with Phil Mickelson in Saudi Arabia in February, has been a public face of the Kingdom’s golf push. Photograph: Luke Walker/WME IMG/Getty Images
It remains depressing that golfers are so willing to assist the Saudis in a sportswashing exercise. Human rights atrocities cast a shadow over everything the Public Investment Fund writes cheques for. Yet in a competitive sense Norman’s plans for an opening tournament, taking place at the Centurion Club in early June, are already undermined by the cast list (which, oddly, LIV remains reluctant to reveal). Martin Kaymer, now the world No 195, has been touted in some quarters as a star turn.
Centurion had initially been named as the host venue of an Asian Tour event, but was jettisoned when LIV decided it wanted to carry on with tournaments of its own that have no world ranking status. The Asian Tour shuffled off to Slaley Hall. Meanwhile the world’s top players stated their commitment to existing tours.
The DP World Tour refuses to comment on the status of its members in respect of Centurion. However, research by the Guardian has shown that five of the six top-ranked Englishmen in the world – Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose – will not feature in their homeland. Which says something about the low level of appeal. The one exception is the 49-year-old Richard Bland. Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Casey, Hatton and Rose are taking preparations for the following week’s US Open seriously. Neither Westwood nor Ian Poulter – who will also play at Centurion – are in the field for that Brookline major.
Norman can speak of a “start-up” tour all he wants but what he is currently presiding over is second rate. The playing of 54 holes with a shotgun start looks gimmicky. There is no main broadcasting deal and no current hope of capturing the minds of the public. Norman will pin hopes on Phil Mickelson but the reality is he has been discredited by remarks made about Saudi Arabia that forced him into professional exile.
Sign up to The Recap, our weekly email of editors’ picks.
Then there is the case of Sergio García. The Spaniard created ripples last week with an outburst at a rules official that suggested he is not long for the PGA Tour. Should García choose to abandon the PGA Tour – which has afforded him on-course winnings of $54.4m – or the DP World Tour, this is of course up to him. Yet two LIV events later this year, in Bangkok and Jeddah, clash with DP World Tour stops in Madrid and Andalucía. Does García, adored in his homeland, realise how preposterous he would look as a show pony for Saudi Arabia as Spain simultaneously holds these tournaments?
The PGA Tour has taken its first meaningful step towards a courtroom battle by denying the request of members to play at Centurion. The DP World Tour will adopt an identical stance. It remains to be seen what penalties for players follow. “We will not be stopped,” Norman responded. What level of field appears for LIV’s second outing, in the United States on the first weekend in July, was already intriguing. On American soil, a direct challenge to the PGA Tour exists. It is just hard to avoid the sense that, for now, it remains a weak and contrived one.
After its efforts to lure the top professionals in the world backfired, the new Saudi-funded startup league is going after the world’s best amateurs.
According to a Telegraph report, the top six players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking have been extended one-year invites to compete in all eight events of this year’s inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series, which begins next month in London. It is unclear when the invitations were sent out and which players were in the top six at the time.
“We did invite several amateurs as part of our mission to develop the next generation of golf talent,” a LIV spokesperson told the Telegraph. “They can stay amateur or turn pro.”
GolfChannel.com has confirmed that at least two of the current top six amateurs have been contacted by LIV Golf, but further details could not be disclosed.
The report adds that such amateurs would have the opportunity to earn guaranteed paydays of $840,000 total for the first seven events, the equivalent of finishing last in each, and the chance to compete for $4 million winner’s checks and percentages of the $90 million team prize pool.
However, the report also mentions that amateurs cannot earn prize money in PGA Tour and DP World Tour events because of those tours’ specific policies, which is not completely accurate. Even new rules regarding name, image and likeness, as well as the USGA’s rules of amateur status, stipulate that amateurs cannot earn prize money. And currently, there are NCAA-eligibility hurdles for international players in obtaining NIL deals, which would be one way for LIV Golf to financially compensate current amateurs.
Lee Westwood confirmed he has asked the PGA and DP World tours for a conflicting-event release to play in the first LIV event next month.
Of the six players in the latest WAGR, updated Wednesday morning, four of them play college golf and only one is expected to turn professional after the NCAA Championship this June. So, it’s assumed that any acceptance of prize money at these LIV events would cause such player to forfeit his amateur status and, in some cases, his NCAA eligibility.
The report also notes that a spokesperson said the league “would allow amateurs quickly to change their status and earn unprecedented sums to kick-start their careers,” and the amateurs would also be extended Asian Tour membership.
Several F1 teams have allowed their drivers to not compete in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix if they do not wish to race under the current circumstances.
During Free Practice Two on Friday, an attack on an Aramco facility some 12km from the circuit prompted an immediate meeting between the FIA, F1, and the teams.
With smoke rising in the distance, the teams and drivers released a statement saying that they unanimously agreed to plow on ahead with the weekend’s running.
However, all 20 drivers stayed for a lengthy meeting that went on until the early hours of the morning.
They ultimately decided to continue racing, even though there were some concerns raised amongst senior drivers.
Now, the teams have agreed that should a driver feel uncomfortable in competing around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit this weekend, then they would be free to not race.
“You cannot force someone to drive who doesn’t want to drive, or is uncomfortable to drive,” said Mike Krack, Aston Martin boss, in the Saudi Arabia GP team principals’ press conference on Saturday.
“We were not in that situation but if we were, we would respect the opinion or concerns of the driver and try to talk, try to understand, to find an agreement.
“Ultimately, you need to respect what they want to do.”
Meanwhile, Mattia Binotto, Ferrari team principal, who has agreed that there is “no right reason” to stop racing this weekend, has revealed that there have been no requests from the Scuderia’s personnel.
“No one has left, no one is willing to leave,” said Binotto. “But just to say, before coming, we as Ferrari certainly tried to get our own information, making sure that everything was secure.
“We got in contact with the local authorities, with the Italian consulate here just to be sure that everything was under control, and our people know that. They know we are taking care, that we are sensible.
“Finally, if someone left, as for the drivers, it is important to listen, to come back to them and try to explain and make sure that any decision is a proper one.
“But I am pretty sure that with the way things are going, all the people in the team trust us, they are relaxed and feel really safe.”
McLaren’s team principal Andrea Seidl echoed Binotto’s thoughts adding that the Woking-based squad are working together as a team throughout the weekend.
He said: “The same on my side. No one from the team has approached me so far wanting to leave.
“It was very important to make sure the team is well informed of all the information that we have got as well.
“That is what we did and that is how we go now into the rest of the weekend as a team.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The F1 and FIA confirmed on Saturday morning that, following discussions with teams and drivers, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled
The F1 and FIA confirmed on Saturday morning that, following discussions with teams and drivers, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled
Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian GP is set to go ahead despite concerns from drivers after an attack on an oil depot close to the Jeddah circuit.
F1’s grid of 20 drivers met for over four hours after practice on Friday and talks – which included team bosses and F1 chiefs – continued until 2.30am local time on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – which all drivers are members of – released a statement on Saturday morning admitting a “difficult and stressful day” and “human concerns” in the wake of a missile attack on a nearby oil facility during Friday practice, but confirming they would continue after being assured that “security measures were being elevated to the maximum”.
Sky Sports understands that Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly were leading concerns, although the drivers eventually agreed that the event would continue.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby provides an update on developments after a fire erupted at an oil depot in Jeddah, which Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim was an attack by the group.
Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby provides an update on developments after a fire erupted at an oil depot in Jeddah, which Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim was an attack by the group.
On Saturday morning, F1 and the FIA reiterated that final practice and qualifying would go ahead as planned later, with Sunday’s race to follow.
“Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled,” read a statement.
“Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure.
“It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and for the future.”
Shortly after, a statement from the GPDA meanwhile said: “Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula One and a stressful day for us Formula One drivers.
“Perhaps it is hard to comprehend if you have never driven an F1 car on this fast and challenging Jeddah track, but on seeing the smoke from the incident it was difficult to remain a fully focused race driver and erase natural human concerns.
“Consequently we went into long discussions between ourselves, with our team principals, and with the most senior people who run our sport. A large variety of opinions were shared and debated and, having listened not only to the Formula 1 powers but also to the Saudi government ministers who explained how security measures were being elevated to the maximum, the outcome was a resolution that we would practice and qualify today and race tomorrow.
“We therefore hope that the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be remembered as a good race rather than for the incident that took place yesterday.
Yemen’s Houthi rebel group have taken responsibility for the attack.
An oil depot – around seven miles from the track and owned by F1 sponsor Aramco – was set ablaze during first practice in Saudi and a large black smoke cloud could be seen from the circuit.
The fire was still burning late on Friday night and there was still smoke pouring into the sky on Saturday morning.
Saudi Arabian authorities say there were no casualties from the attack.
Final practice begins at 2pm on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying to follow at 5pm.
Slater: I can’t say the drivers were absolutely unanimous
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Craig Slater says that as a group of drivers they have agreed it’s correct to carry on with Saudi Arabian GP
Craig Slater says that as a group of drivers they have agreed it’s correct to carry on with Saudi Arabian GP
Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater
“They had a very long discussion yesterday, all 20 drivers, for around about four hours, the vast majority of that time dealing with concerns about the rocket attack.”
“They sought the most robust assurances they could about the level of safety, what had gone on and how they saw things developing from here.
“Among those leading the conversations were the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Mick Schumacher as well. In the end, I can’t say they were absolutely unanimous that it was the right thing to proceed, but as a group of drivers they have agreed that it is correct to carry on and that is what is happening.
“We’ve had the drivers included in both the FIA and F1 statement and also this from the GPDA. Quite poignant, wasn’t it, maybe one or two things we hadn’t thought about raised by that GPDA statement, including how the drivers were feeling as they saw black clouds of smoke from close to the circuit and they’re driving around at speeds of 200mph.
“You have to be fully concentrated to do that kind of thing and to be concerned and worried is surely very destabilising. In the immediate aftermath, we didn’t know if it was an accident or an attack, now it’s confirmed it was an attack there’s that extra level of concern with ‘could it happen again?’
“We heard the FIA president saying in effect ‘don’t worry, the Houthi rebels claiming responsibility for it are targeting infrastructure like oil depots and refineries.
“What I would say, F1 and the FIA answered as best they could all the drivers’ questions and gave them as much time and room to ask the questions they wanted to ask.”
F1 and FIA presidents insist Saudi GP is safe
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the Saudi Arabia GP will go ahead after there was an attack at a nearby oil depot
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the Saudi Arabia GP will go ahead after there was an attack at a nearby oil depot
Before the F1 drivers continued their meetings in the Jeddah paddock, the sport’s president Stefano Domenicali insisted they had received support from drivers to continue and “total assurance” about safety from authorities.
The attack took place during first practice, which continued as normal, though there was a 15-minute delay to the start of second practice as drivers and team principals met with F1 president Domenicali and the FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
There was another meeting following P2, which was also attended by a Saudi delegation, after which the F1 and FIA chiefs emerged at 10:40pm local time and insisted the Grand Prix would be going ahead.
The fire at the North Jeddah Bulk Plant happened around seven miles from the Jeddah circuit
“We have received total assurance of the country’s safety first,” said Domenicali. “They have placed all the systems to protect this area. So, we feel confident that we have to trust the local authority in that respect. We will of course go ahead with the event.”
Ben Sulayem added that attackers were “not targeting the track”.
“We had meetings with the high-level security then we had meetings with the team principals and the drivers,” the FIA president said. “And to assure you that, they are targeting the infrastructure of the economy not the civilians and, of course, not the track.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff say they have been assured safety and have come to a unanimous decision to keep racing after a nearby oil outlet was attacked at the Saudi Arabia GP.
Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff say they have been assured safety and have come to a unanimous decision to keep racing after a nearby oil outlet was attacked at the Saudi Arabia GP.
“Of course, we have checked the facts from them and we have had the assurance from the high authorities of the safety here and let’s go racing.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “It was a good meeting, the drivers are going to talk now at a drivers’ meeting. We are the team principals, we’ve been assured we are protected here and it’s probably the safest place you can be in Saudi Arabia at the moment and that’s why we are racing. [It was a unanimous decision] by the team principals, yes.”
Red Bull principal Christian Horner added: “I think the sport has to stand together collectively. Any act of terrorism cannot be condoned and sport shouldn’t be bullied into a position – a situation like that just isn’t acceptable. Stefano and the president are dealing with it, there has been all of the assurances from the organisers and we’ll be going racing.”
The drivers, who had their scheduled media commitments cancelled, then met to discuss the situation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the moment smoke was visible from the Jeddah Circuit in Saudi Arabia
Watch the moment smoke was visible from the Jeddah Circuit in Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Houthi rebel group takes responsibility for attack | No casualties reported
Neither F1 nor the FIA have confirmed the blaze was caused by an attack.
However, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a barrage of attacks on the kingdom, according to the Associated Press, while the Saudi Motorsport Company also referenced an attack.
“We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon,” a statement read.
“The race organisers remain in direct contact with the Saudi security authorities, as well as F1 and the FIA to ensure all necessary security and safety measures continue to be implemented to guarantee the safety of all visitors to the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as all drivers, teams and stakeholders.
“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment.”
Fire broke close to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia during Friday’s practice
The blaze was centered on the same oil depot that the Houthis had attacked in recent days.
The al-Masirah satellite news channel run by Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they had attacked an Aramco facility in Jeddah, along with other targets in Riyadh and elsewhere. The report provided no further details.
Saudi state TV acknowledged that a “hostile operation” had taken place at the Aramco facility in Jeddah, with Reuters reporting there had been no casualties and that the fire was under control.
All driver media sessions were cancelled on Friday evening, although near the end of first practice Verstappen said on team radio: “I smell a bit of a burning feeling. I am not sure if it is my car, or another car.”
His engineer Gianpiero Lambiase replied: “We are happy it is not your car.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Max Verstappen stated he could feel ‘burning’ in his Red Bull F1 car during first practice at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Max Verstappen stated he could feel ‘burning’ in his Red Bull F1 car during first practice at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Explaining the situation in Jeddah
Analysis by Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater
“We have learnt that the explosion was caused by an attack on an Aramco oil plant setting two tanks ablaze.
“Reuters have reported there are no casualties.
“Houthi rebels from Yemen have claimed responsibility for this, they did so soon after the event on a satellite news channel they run. There has been an ongoing conflict in Yemen, government forces aided by a Saudi-led coalition have effectively been in a civil war with rebels for the past seven years and these rocket attacks have been a fairly regular yet infrequent occurrence and Jeddah has been targeted before but shocking that it could happen during such a big event.
“It took a while for F1 to stand up the reports that it was indeed an attack, that they wanted confirmation from the Saudi authorities. What F1 have said though is that they have been in close contact with the relevant authorities over the situation, as they still continue to call it, today.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the moment smoke was visible from the Jeddah Circuit in Saudi Arabia
Watch the moment smoke was visible from the Jeddah Circuit in Saudi Arabia
“The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned.
“Formula One knew about the possibility of these rocket attacks before they came out here. I spoke to Prince Khalid, who is the Chairman of the circuit at Silverstone and he had assured me the air defence systems were adequate enough to stop an attack getting through.
“Domenicali is on site and able to deal with this situation. It was a little surprising when we heard it was a deliberate attack because what is there to say what those individuals might attack next. They have never given any indication they would attack the Grand Prix itself of course but does it have to be considered a health and safety risk.
“It all happened very quickly. Formula One does exist, if I am honest, in a little bit of a bubble away from the significant events from around the race tracks around the world and the show carries on.”
“At face value, at least, Formula One and the race promoter admitted that the safety of all our guests continues to be the priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of entertainment.”
In a letter he sent Tuesday to players and obtained by SI.com/Morning Read, Norman expressed his plan to “offer additional exciting tournaments in which you can play,’’ and stressed that “this is in addition to, not in place of, your current Tour schedule.’’
His letter stated that information about the first events will be shared on Wednesday when a larger announcement is expected.
In October, Norman was named CEO of LIV Golf Investments, which struck a deal with the Asian Tour to commit $300 million over 10 years to help fund a series of events that would offer more and better playing opportunities.
As part of that deal, the Asian Tour agreed to be the sanctioning Tour to the to-be-named LIV Golf league that has yet to announce its business plan but that loosely would include 14 with 48-player fields over 54 holes with no cuts. Purses would be $20 million per week, and there would be a team component with team owners.
Players such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson were among several who were believed to be in serious negotiations with LIV Golf, and expected to receive nine-figure commitments just to sign on. The league would be funded by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Scroll to Continue
DeChambeau and Johnson have since backed off, as have several other players who said they would be sticking with the PGA Tour. Mickelson, who has not competed since the Saudi International in early February, announced three weeks ago that he would be taking a leave to deal with personal issues after there was severe pushback to his criticisms of the PGA Tour and trying to gain leverage with LIV Golf Investments.
So far, no players have been announced for the new league, nor has a schedule, but Norman is poised to disclose a few events that will likely be staged with big purses and no league affiliation required.
Last week at the Players Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “The PGA Tour is moving on. We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish to be consistently distracted by rumors of other golf leagues and their attempts to disrupt our players, our partners, and most importantly our fans from enjoying the Tour and the game we all love so much.’’
Norman, meanwhile, is pushing on with an alternative idea.
“We consider ourselves a start-up,’’ he said in the letter. “We may start with a modest number of players, but we won’t stay that way for long. I fully understand some players may choose not to play with us right away. But after we get going, I believe many of those who aren’t with us now will be with us later. I want to thank you for your patience, but know, it will be worth your while.’’
Norman said in the letter that his concept has “always been designed in deference to the majors and heritage championships. LIV Golf has been consistent in its desire to complement the annual tour schedules and wider golf ecosystem. From the beginning, we designed this so players have the choice to play any tour, and in LIV Golf events, and actively encourage you to do so. We will not ask you to choose one or the other. This is in addition to, not in place of, your current Tour schedule.’’
Norman added: “You should know that we are launching, and we will continue to drive this vision forward. We will not stop. We believe in our mission and will announce information about our first events (Wednesday).’’
One of the people familiar with the matter said Trump had spoken to Greg Norman, the head of LIV Golf Investments, about having his properties involved in the tour.
Story continues below advertisement
A spokeswoman for LIV Golf Investments declined to comment. Eric Trump, the former president’s son, and a Trump Organization spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment. The Saudi embassy in Washington also did not respond to comment requests.
Taylor Budowich, a spokesman for Trump’s political action committee, offered a statement only touting the former president’s golf courses when asked about the talks.
“It certainly sounds possible given the fact that President Trump owns some of the most beautiful and renowned golf courses in the world — from the cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes, to the majestic rolling hills of Bedminster and, of course, the iconic Doral property,” he said.
Story continues below advertisement
The financial terms of the proposed deal are unclear, but the events would undoubtedly provide revenue for Trump through the Saudis, who are making a fierce bid to recruit PGA Tour players and launch a series of golf tournaments.
As president, Trump frequently defended the Saudi government even as it committed a wide range of human right abuses, including the 2018 murder of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the imprisonment and execution of gay citizens. Trump’s first overseas trip as president was to Saudi Arabia, and he regularly praised the country’s wealth and power, even as some advisers pushed him to take a tougher line on the country.
Such a deal would also provide a measure of revenge for Trump against the PGA Tour, an organization that he courted for years but that later enraged him when politics came between them. While Trump campaigned in the summer of 2016, the PGA Tour announced it was yanking its elite World Golf Championship tournament from Doral and moving it to Mexico City. Trump also lost the PGA championship from his course in New Jersey last year, as the organization pulled its event days after the Jan. 6 insurrection by a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol.
Doral has been the biggest revenue generator of any of Trump’s golf properties, but he borrowed heavily to acquire and renovate it, and the 643-room resort suffered financially during his presidency.
Story continues below advertisement
Trump, working closely with his daughter Ivanka, bought the 650-acre resort set among business parks and homes in 2012 for a reported $150 million and planned $250 million in renovations. He borrowed $125 million from Deutsche Bank to do it and vowed on Twitter that “within two years it will be the best resort in the country.”
But from 2015 to 2017, the club’s revenue fell from $92 million to $75 million — an 18 percent drop, according to company financial documents and Trump’s government disclosure forms. Operating income — the amount left over after expenses were paid — fell even faster, prompting Trump’s own tax consultant to tell Miami-Dade County officials in 2018 that the course had been “severely underperforming” competing clubs. Revenue suffered an additional 40 percent drop in 2020, when pandemic travel restrictions were in place for most of the year.
His company has been trying to revive Doral since his presidency ended. Last year, Florida legislators passed legislation easing the path for his company to pursue a future casino license for Doral, and last month his company announced that it would attempt to build 2,300 homes there.
It’s difficult to say how such a deal would affect Trump financially. Professional golf organizations pay rental fees to courses where they hold events but also impose sometimes expensive obligations and responsibilities as part of that, said Larry Hirsh, president of Golf Property Analysts in Philadelphia.
Story continues below advertisement
“It’s widely believed that the only clubs that make any significant money are those that host the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup,” he said.
Hirsh said that Saudi Arabia’s record on human rights could also prompt some members of Trump’s club to cancel their memberships, which could hurt the value of the course long term.
“It depends on how much money [the league] is willing to pay, but it also depends on how many people will say they won’t be a part of it,” he said.
The Saudi tour has not announced any sites or dates for its events. But in a recent sports podcast interview, PGA Tour player Kramer Hickok said 17 PGA players had committed to the tour already, and he said he expected 10 to 14 of the events to be in the United States. He could not be reached immediately for comment.
Story continues below advertisement
Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law, was spotted on the sidelines of a Saudi golf event earlier this month. Bloomberg News reported that Kushner has sought backing from the $500 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with other government-controlled funds in the region.” A spokesman for Kushner did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Longtime professional golfer Phil Mickelson has come under fire in recent days for saying that he was willing to overlook the country’s human rights record and consider supporting the new league. Many critics have said the Saudi government is attempting to buttress its standing by holding high-profile sporting events.
“We know they killed Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights,” Mickelson was quoted as saying by Alan Shipnuck, a biographer who wrote a book about him. “They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
Story continues below advertisement
PGA Tour officials have closely watched efforts by the Saudis to recruit its players, worried about the Saudi league luring away some of the tour’s players with the promise of higher purses. But most of the league’s marquee players have not left, and some have been critical of Mickelson, who has helped with recruitment efforts. The PGA declined to comment on Trump’s talks with the Saudi league.
When the Saudis came under intense scrutiny after the murder of Khashoggi, Trump repeatedly defended the kingdom and said he believed Mohammed, the crown prince, when he claimed to not have knowledge of the killing. U.S. intelligence has disputed that assessment.
In a November 2018 statement full of exclamation marks that aides said he dictated himself, Trump said that U.S. intelligence would continue to “assess” information but that the United States “may never know all the facts surrounding the murder.”
On whether the crown prince knew about or ordered the killing by Saudi agents in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Trump said in the statement, “maybe he did or maybe he didn’t!” He suggested that U.S. interests in Saudi oil production, weapons purchases and support for administration policies in the Middle East were more important than holding an ally to account, and he stressed the importance of staying in the kingdom’s good graces because they were spending money in the United States.
“They have been a great ally,” he said of the Saudis, and “the United States intends to remain a steadfast partner.” He added: “I’m not going to destroy our economy by being foolish with Saudi Arabia.”
Story continues below advertisement
Trump came under withering criticism from Democrats, human rights advocates and even some Republicans for his position, but he did not waver.
“I saved his ass,” Trump said of Mohammed during an interview with Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward for his 2020 book, “Rage.” “I was able to get Congress to leave him alone. I was able to get them to stop.”
Trump also encouraged the Saudis to buy American weapons, backed the kingdom’s position on Iran and generally defended their most controversial moves, such as jailing people for political reasons.
Since taking office, President Biden has called the kingdom a “pariah” and has vowed to be tougher on the Saudis.
The former president has bragged to associates since leaving office about how profitable his golf courses were during the coronavirus pandemic, even as other aspects of his business struggled. He plays golf several days a week, advisers said.
Researcher Alice Crites contributed to this report.
The PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council (PAC) has held talks about developing a three-event series in the autumn that would feature a team format and reward the top players from the previous season.
According to reports, multiple members of the PAC at the Genesis Invitational confirmed this, with the three planned events being held in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Some sources have stated that there would be no FedEx Cup points awarded to participants at the event, with the tournaments including no cuts, lucrative purses, a college golf team style format, and 10 five-man squads led by a “captain” that would be drawn from the top 10 players of the Player Impact Program.
The college golf format – After each round, the team will count the lowest four scores from its five players, which will make up the team’s cumulative score.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Currently, the PGA Tour play a wraparound schedule which is where the season begins in one year and finishes in the following year. With the new team tournaments, it would become a calendar year layout. Essentially, the top 50 players from the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list would qualify for the three events, with their position on the points list secure for the following season.
According to one source though, the current autumn events, in which there are nine of them that run from September to November, would become a ‘seeding series’ for those who qualified for the previous season’s playoffs, but didn’t finish inside the top 50. Their status, the following season, would be based on their performance in those nine tournaments.
As well as the proposed events, the PGA Tour also reiterated their stance on the breakaway Saudi Golf League, with officials stating that any player who signs on to play the proposed SGL would be banned from playing on Tour.
World number one, Jon Rahm, has pledged his allegiance to the PGA Tour
(Image credit: Getty Images)
So, what has been the response to the ‘team series’? Well, varied is probably the right answer, with one PAC member stating the interest in the proposed tournaments were “mixed”, adding that the conversation would continue. The PAC, which is made up of 16 players, will ultimately vote on the proposed series, with no set date confirmed as of yet. The players who are part of the PAC, are listed below for you.
