Architect Brian Curley has completed Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course and the newest addition to the country’s growing golf portfolio. Managed by Golf Saudi, the course anchors the Shura Island resort development on the Red Sea, part of Red Sea Global’s major tourism initiative.
The par-72 layout stretches 7,400 yards through native mangroves and white dunes, with several holes running along the shoreline. Designed for both strategy and playability, it offers wide fairways, firm turf and large, contoured greens that invite a range of approach options.
“Shura Links offers 18 unique and visually stunning holes in a beautiful island environment that will redefine golf in the region,” Curley said. “Our goal was to create a course that is both strategic and forgiving, where golfers can enjoy the ground game and be inspired by the seaside setting.”
The design features bold, naturalistic bunkering and open sandscapes that frame play without penalizing golfers, a look Curley describes as “visually alluring and accessible.” Only 70 acres of turf were irrigated, all planted with Platinum TE Paspalum for drought and salt tolerance. Landscaping by Curley-Wagner Design incorporates desert flora, palms and flowering trees to blend with the environment.
The project, built in-house by Red Sea Global’s construction team, was designed to host both resort guests and professional tournaments.
“The effort here by Red Sea Global is groundbreaking and monumental, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Curley said.
Located 30 minutes from Red Sea International Airport, Shura Links sits among 11 luxury hotels set to open soon, including Four Seasons, Raffles and Rosewood.
