Sotogrande, Spain: Talented teenage German professional golfer Chiara Noja is the latest international ambassador to join Golf Saudi.

The youngest golfer to win a professional Tour event in Europe, Noja joins fellow female players Anna Nordqvist, Anne Van Dam and Carlota Ciganda as part of the Golf Saudi line-up.

One of the in-form players of the past 12 months, Noja will not only feature in Golf Saudi owned events going forward but, more importantly, will aid the organistion in its on-going journey to bring golf to new audiences, particularly young girls and women, both globally and within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

News of Noja’s ambassadorship was announced during this week’s Aramco Team Series event. At Sotogrande, she’ll be up against household names such as Nelly and Jessica Korda, Nordqvist, Ciganda and last year’s winner Alison Lee.

Part of Noja’s role with Golf Saudi will be for her to participate in on-course lessons and clinics with female amateurs with a view to inspiring and encouraging them to continue playing the sport.

Noja will draw upon her own experiences of rising through the amateur ranks and what it takes to become a professional as well as talking about how golf can reach new audiences.

“I have always enjoyed fantastic support from the whole team at Golf Saudi, not only via invites to their fantastic events but also in terms of providing advice,” said Noja, who became a scratch golfer at the age of 11. She topped the European rankings at both Under-12 and Under-14 level and has maintained her upward trajectory ever since. 

She added: “By turning professional, I have been able to concurrently continue my academic career whilst still developing and improving as a golfer. I was lucky enough to make my debut on the Ladies European Tour at the end of 2020 and the subsequent 12 months gave me the confidence to turn professional in 2021.

“Golf Saudi is doing amazing things for the game, whether it’s through their Mass Participation programmes to drive youth engagement, and their efforts to draw more people to our sport, particularly young girls and women.

“I am delighted to be confirmed as the latest Golf Saudi ambassador and to not only work alongside so many female superstars from women’s golf but also to support such an ambitious organisation as Golf Saudi.

“Having come to prominence at a similar time to Golf Saudi, I’d like to think that we’ll be able to share insights mutually and both do our bit in terms of growing the game in Saudi Arabia and globally.”

Noja enjoyed a stellar first year as a professional. Making the step up at just 15 years old in October 2021, she paid back her early sponsor invites in full by making the cut at the Dubai Moonlight Classic, Aramco Saudi Ladies International, and the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah.

In June, Noja secured her maiden professional victory at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge, nine strokes ahead of Sára Kousková, and rose to the top of the LETAS Order of Merit.

“Chiara immediately impressed me when I saw her play last year in Saudi Arabia,” said Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. 

“She put in impressive back-to-back performances at both of our tournaments. To make not only the cut in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and finish tied 40th, but to do so with a shoulder injury, before following this up with a tied 26th in the Aramco Team Series bodes very well for both our new partnership and also the future of women’s golf on the Ladies European Tour.

“Having lived and played in the Middle East, she has the potential to become a role model for all young girls here in the region and help us with our long-term aims at Golf Saudi of developing the women’s game in the Kingdom.”