Doha, Qatar: A 2020 European Tour venue, Qatar’s Education City Golf Club has joined the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) as a Golf Course Facility Member.

Host to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in March, the 33-hole venue is a unique facility in the heart of Education City that is under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation (QF) and has been built in line with QF’s vision, which holds education at its heart while being mindful of local values, sustainability, and research and development.

Michael Braidwood, the club’s General Manager, said: “We have a holistic approach to growing the game of golf through the exceptional facilities that have been engineered to keep established golfers and new golfers engaged at every stage of their development.

“The vision is to get people active, trying golf for the first time, enjoying it, feeling safe and welcome, and then taking up the sport of golf for life.”

The golf course consists of 33 golf holes (an 18-hole championship course, a floodlit par-three nine-hole layout and a six-hole facility) that were specially crafted and designed by Spain’s Jose Maria Olazábal, a two-time Masters champion and European Ryder Cup stalwart.

Education City Golf Club’s array of facilities includes a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence while the club’s all-inclusive environment welcomes families and friends to join in the experience ‘to play life better’.

During the club’s official opening, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser toured the facilities within the sporting and community facility at QF. Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of QF, also attended the opening ceremony.

Education City Golf Club reflects QF’s commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and the importance of well-being, and emphasises the fact that sport is for all. The inclusive facility aims to open the way for children, adults, and entire families to discover the game of golf and feel the benefits it brings in terms of physical fitness, mental stimulation and social interaction.

Education City Golf Club adds to the array of publicly-available, community-focused facilities at QF while also supporting Qatar’s national tourism goals and enhancing the nation’s global profile as a sporting destination.

Speaking at the official opening, European Tour Chief Executive Officer Keith Pelley said: “It is my first time in Qatar, and my first opportunity to visit the Education City Golf Club. The course is excellent, the facilities are brilliant, and the immediate reaction from the players has been incredibly positive.

“This is a big step in the right direction for the game in Qatar. Golf is the most inclusive sport in the world, as you can play with anybody of any age, ability and gender. Golf is very healthy and can teach life skills. We think it is the best kept secret in Qatar and hopefully it will grow over the coming years.”

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Education City Golf Club’s commitment to growing the game is admirable and an outstanding model for many golf establishments in the Middle East and Asia.

“I have had the pleasure of interacting with Michael over the years in his position as Education Director with the Club Managers’ Association of Europe (CMAE). Like the CMAE, the AGIF is an Affiliate Partner of the Club Management Association of America to deliver the Certified Club Manager degree.

“We are especially happy that Education City will be using the AGIF’s newly-launched Jobs Board for recruitment of staff. With many golf course operations and maintenance staff in the Middle East sourced from Asian countries, we believe that the Jobs Board will be a great source of talent and opportunity for both clubs and industry professionals.”