Golfer aiming to be first Saudi pro player

Khaled Attieh is taking a shot at Royal Melbourne golf course - and hoping to become the first professional golfer from Saudi Arabia in the process.

Saudi golfer

Khaled Attieh aims to be the first Saudi Arabian professional golfer. Source: SBS News

For most aspiring golfers, a green jacket at Augusta or a win at St Andrews would be golfing nirvana. But for promising amateur Khaled Attieh, simply turning pro is his objective.

If he makes the grade, the 21-year old would be the first fully fledged professional golfer from his native Saudi Arabia.

On the esteemed fairways of Royal Melbourne, his text-book swing, refined over more than a decade, isn't out of place.

Attieh is one of 78-elite golfers from around the world participating in the annual Australian Master of the Amateurs championchips.
Saudi golfer
Khaled Attieh hopes to be the first professional golf player from Saudi Arabia. Source: SBS News
The tournament is a stepping-stone to Attieh’s gofling dream.

"I'm hopefully trying to be the first professional to try and boost the game back home," he said. "That would be amazing. It's been a dream since I been a young kid, it's been a long journey.”

With just four quality courses in his homeland, Attieh sought greater opportunities overseas as a teenager.

“I think the sport is lacking over in the Middle East, not a lot of really good young talent, that's why I moved to the States and played most of my golf over there just to compete and stay competitive at a higher level,” he said.

The decision has paid dividends, and success at this amateur tournament is considered an indication of a bright future - Jason Day took the title in 2006, for starters.
Saudi golfer
Saudi Arabian Khaled Attieh is one of 78 elite golfers from around the world participating in the annual Australian Master of the Amateurs championchips. Source: SBS News
Tournament director Peter Mann says over the course of 19 years, the National Master of the Amateurs has become one of the pre-eminent events on the international amateur golfing circuit.

“The top players around the world treat this like a tour event - a major like the British Open or the Masters and that's how we attract all the top amateurs in the world,” Mr Mann said.

He also says Khaled Attieh's professional dream is achievable - he has the game and the patience to match.

“That can happen, he'll take time but he'll be a good player," Mr Mann said.

The 21-year old is already considering life after the sport he loves, and once his playing days are done, hopes to provide a golfing pathway for young Saudis.

“Have a golf foundation with a junior program that can run throughout the country of Saudi Arabia and help the juniors all around the world to be honest,” he said.


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3 min read

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By Luke Waters



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