Saudi Arabia is rewriting the story of global tourism, and Red Sea Global is holding the pen. The company behind some of the most ambitious regenerative destinations on Earth has unveiled its newest chapter: Shura Links, the Kingdom’s first island golf course, a dramatic fusion of sport, sustainability, and coastal beauty set amid the turquoise waters of the Red Sea.
“This is more than a course,” says John Pagano, group CEO of Red Sea Global. “It’s a place to connect, challenge yourself, and experience the full beauty of The Red Sea.” The launch marks a bold step forward in the country’s transformation under Vision 2030 and reflects the Public Investment Fund’s determination to diversify the economy and elevate quality of life by unlocking new sectors like sport and sustainable tourism.
Designed by acclaimed architect Brian Curley and managed by Golf Saudi, Shura Links reimagines what a modern coastal links course can be. Its par-72, 7,400-yard layout winds through native mangroves and sculpted dunes before tracing the shoreline in sweeping arcs that feel organic rather than imposed. Every curve and contour reflects Red Sea Global’s belief that development should regenerate rather than dominate the landscape.
“This is more than a course — it’s a place to connect, challenge yourself, and experience the full beauty of The Red Sea.”
John Pagano, group CEO Red Sea Global
Anchored by a striking beachfront clubhouse, the course is as much a social destination as it is a sporting one. Elegant dining spaces, curated retail, and panoramic terraces overlooking the eighteenth green turn it into a gathering place, while a family-friendly putting course, expansive practice ranges, and PGA-level coaching make the game accessible to players at every level. Even the smallest details, from premium Callaway balls to tailored nine- and eighteen-hole options, have been chosen to heighten the experience.
“From the outset, Shura Links was designed to blend seamlessly with its brilliant white dunes while delivering a one-of-a-kind golf experience,” says Curley. “It’s a course built to test seasoned pros yet welcoming for those trying golf for the first time.”
The opening of Shura Links is part of a wider transformation unfolding on Shura Island, which will soon host 11 world-class resorts and a collection of exclusive homes. Red Sea International Airport already connects the destination to global routes, placing this new frontier within easy reach of much of the world.
More than a sporting landmark, Shura Links is a bold statement of intent — a vision of how Saudi Arabia is reinventing the very idea of a destination. It shows a nation using sport, design, and nature to power new industries and invite the world to experience its future up close. Ambitious, imaginative, and deeply rooted in place, it captures the scale and spirit of a transformation that is only just beginning.
