Staff WriterGolf Saudi took centre stage in Shenzhen as it teamed up with the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute to host the FII Elevated Green at Mission Hills Resort — a fitting finale to the 2025 PIF Global Series.
The exclusive event gathered leaders from sport, finance, and technology to discuss how golf is fast becoming a driver of foreign direct investment, economic diversification, and international cooperation.
“Golf is a bridge to one’s own personal potential. It’s a cultural bridge that leads to trust, and ultimately becomes a bridge for business,” said Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, during his keynote address.
Alireza underlined that Saudi Arabia is not just building golf courses, but an entire ecosystem. “We’re building the infrastructure and foundation for golf in the Kingdom, learning from global best practices like here at Mission Hills, and leapfrogging to create something truly special.”
Vision 2030 Meets the Fairway
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Golf Saudi has been tasked with transforming the sport into a pillar of the nation’s diversification strategy. Its work now stretches beyond fairways and greens — touching industries like fashion, retail, agronomy, and entertainment, and inspiring mass participation through grassroots programs.
At FII Elevated Green, the conversation extended into the Middle East-China Innovation Corridor, spotlighting collaborations across AI, green energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Executives from Primavera Capital, InfiX.ai, and ShoreVest Partners shared real-world examples of cross-border innovation in action.
“We helped Envision, a Chinese wind turbine giant, partner with Saudi PIF to build green hydrogen and energy storage solutions; a textbook example of cross-border innovation,” said Philip Hu, Managing Director of Primavera Capital.
Adding to the dialogue, Arthur Chen, Co-founder of InfiX.ai, noted: “Data is the new oil. You don’t want to give it away for free — and our model ensures data privacy while enabling powerful AI applications.”
Mission Hills: Where Golf Meets Global Capital
Held at Mission Hills, the world’s largest golf and leisure destination, the forum demonstrated how sport can be a gateway to serious investment.
“Mission Hills became the catalyst to attract foreign investors like Foxconn, Huawei, BYD, and Alibaba,” said Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group. “The golf course serves as an extension of the green office — a place where people connect, collaborate, and build relationships.”
Chu’s words echoed the event’s underlying message: that golf is more than a game — it’s an international networking platform where ideas and investment flow as freely as conversation on the course.
Golf Saudi’s Global Ambition
From grassroots development to elite competition, Golf Saudi is shaping the Kingdom into a new global hub for sport-led investment. The vision is bold, but the momentum is undeniable.
“Golf is a proven economic engine,” Alireza concluded. “It’s an obsession, a lifestyle, and a platform for global growth.”
As the PIF Global Series closes and Golf Saudi looks ahead, the message from Shenzhen is clear: the Kingdom isn’t just hosting golf tournaments — it’s building bridges across economies, industries, and cultures.
For more information, visit the PIF Global Series website or the FII Institute.
