Saudi Arabia Secures USD 100 Million Golf Resort Investment

Canadian tech entrepreneur and BlackBerry co-founder Jim Balsillie has invested USD 100 million to build a national network of luxury golf resorts in Saudi Arabia. The investment is part of a broader partnership with Sumou Global Investment and aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and boost tourism.

The first project is expected to break ground soon in Jeddah, on a site previously used as a sewage dumping ground. Plans include not only golf courses but also integrated hotels and residential developments. Balsillie aims to expand the country’s existing portfolio of a dozen golf courses to up to 100, with seven to ten already in development and several expected to be completed by 2027.

One strategic objective is to integrate golf tourism with religious tourism. By offering golf packages to Muslim pilgrims visiting Makkah, the initiative seeks to encourage longer stays and create new revenue streams from leisure-focused visitors.

The move builds on momentum generated by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has invested nearly USD 5 billion into golf globally, including the controversial LIV Golf tour and domestic projects like a Jack Nicklaus-designed course near Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia faces competition from regional neighbours such as the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, all of which have invested in golf infrastructure. However, the Kingdom’s rapid pace of development has raised environmental concerns, particularly around water use for maintaining courses in arid climates. Developers have pledged to use recycled water and renewable energy solutions to mitigate impact.