Multan, Pakistan: Six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo will savour a landmark moment next week when Faldo Design’s first South Asian project receives international exposure.

Developed by the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Multan, the Rumanza Golf and Country Club is being touted as Pakistan’s first world-class golfing venue and the most ambitious course construction project in the country’s history.

“This is a landmark moment for myself and Faldo Design. We are honoured to have designed Pakistan’s first truly world class championship course. Pakistan belongs on the global golfing map, and we are delighted to play a role in cementing its position,” said Faldo, who will be on site for the Rumanza Inaugural from February 25-27.

The invitational player field is made up of Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello and the English duo of Mel Reid and Charley Hull.

Pakistan will be represented by male professional Ahmed Baig and 17-year-old female amateur Humna Amjed, both past winners of the Faldo Series Pakistan Championship.

Faldo said: “We broke ground in Multan in 2018, and despite the challenges that have been presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, I was able to visit twice during construction. We are delighted that the course and its range of superb facilities are now ready to welcome the world’s best. I can’t think of a more fitting way to launch the course than by welcoming Graeme, Rafa, Charley and Mel to play alongside promising Pakistani talent.”

Faldo Design, with a global footprint of 34 courses across five continents and 20 countries, is an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Project Director Brigadier Shoeb Anwar Kayani, SI(M) predicted that the Faldo Design project will kick-start a rise in the popularity of golf in Pakistan.

He said: “The course is without question the crown jewel in Pakistan’s golf course portfolio. Its launch event will herald a new era of excellence for golf in Pakistan.

“The Rumanza Inaugural unveils Pakistan’s first signature golf course and will, no doubt, pave the way for the Rumanza Golf and Country Club to host sanctioned Tour events in coming years.”

Located in Pakistan’s fifth largest city, Multan, the golf course is the centrepiece of the DHA Multan residential community which includes high-end apartments and villas, a five-star hotel, commercial retail space, multiple sports and lifestyle facilities, state-of-the-art education facilities, health care services and extensive F&B outlets.

“We’re expecting the development to have a tremendously positive effect on Pakistan’s sports tourism, firmly positioning the country on the global golf map, as well as igniting a passion for the sport in our next generation,” said Brigadier Anwar.

Measuring 7,533 yards and playing to a par of 72, the course is a classic desert oasis, carpeted in TE paspalum grass and featuring four lakes. It incorporates stunning local elements including mango and orange orchards, as well as ‘deras’ (vernacular mud brick dwellings surrounded by walls which form a courtyard). Native sand plays a critical role in the layout.