Amid the $3B PGA Tour Merger Debates, Yet Another Endeavor Follows LIV Golf’s Footsteps To Bolster the Eastern Influence on The Sport

The $3 billion merger between the Tours was a big step for LIV Golf, ensuring the league a long and successful run along with a big chunk of profit. However, the merger is not the only step that the Saudi funded PIF has taken towards shining its name in the golf world.

Saudi Arabia is taking big and bold steps to make its citizens more inclined toward all sports. The government has churned out numerous initiatives to spark the people’s interest in sports like soccer, and especially golf.

Saudi government launches multiple programs for the upliftment of golf and other sports

The Golf Saudi and Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) are introducing multiple programs under its Mass Participation Mission in order to educate its people on different sports. These programs will be held in educational collaborations with schools and universities, but will not remain limited to the education sector only.

The federation has higher aims and will extend it to charity and corporate and big partnerships with Saudi Pro League football clubs and the Ministry of Defence and other governmental entities. The outreach will be international and make its reach to the Golf Saudi-partnered tournaments like the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Team Series.

Also Read – ‘LIV Is More of a Parody League’: While the PGA Tour Merger Is In Full Swing, Fans Take Polarizing Stands to Its Confusing Future

To encourage golf among students and teachers, the authorities have developed a ‘Train the Trainer’ model which will be implied in 208 schools across 13 regions in Saudi Arabia. The initiative will see physical education of teachers that incorporates the necessary skills of teaching and training the students in golf.

The program will allow teachers to explain the art, etiquette, and skills of golf. For safety purposes, the Mass Participation department is providing SNAG (Starting New At Golf) equipment to every school. It is a child-friendly kit that will make the game fun and accessible for beginners.

PIF Saudi International and other Saudi-led golf events will be a door to golf for children

These programs will be a great advantage for children as they will allow them to get a taste of real tournaments as well. The partner professional tournaments like the PIF Saudi International, Aramco Saudi Ladies International, Saudi Open, and LIV Golf’s Jeddah competition will offer more than 15,000 children to play golf in fan villages, and experience the thrill of golf for the first time.

The government also plans to issue a new ‘Class to Grass’ initiative where SNAG equipment will be changed to real golf equipment. With the rapid growth that is being witnessed by LIV Golf, in a few years, the league might have some players from its own country as well.

What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia developing a sport centric model in relation to golf exposure at an elementary level? Let us know in the comments below.

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