Aqaba: The 34th Jordan Open Golf Championship teed off Thursday at Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, drawing more than 100 players from 20 countries in an event that organizers say underscores the Red Sea city's growing profile as a hub for sport and tourism.
According to Jordan News Agency, the tournament is held under the patronage of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and is jointly organized by Ayla Oasis Development Company, ASEZA, and the Jordan Golf Federation, with support from the Jordan Olympic Committee and the Arab Golf Federation.
Competitors from across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Lebanon-are participating in the four-day championship, which runs through September 6.
ASEZA chief commissioner Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali remarked that the championship is a milestone in Aqaba's journey to becoming a global sports destination. He highlighted that the event boosts hotel occupancy, stimulates the local economy, and showcases Jordan's capacity to host world-class sporting events.
Sahl Dudin, CEO of Ayla Oasis, described the tournament as a reflection of Ayla's vision for sustainable development through sport, emphasizing Aqaba's advanced infrastructure and natural setting as factors enhancing its international appeal.
Jordan Golf Federation vice president Nasser Al-Shoumeli pointed out that the event counts toward the World Amateur Golf Ranking, offering players a platform for international recognition. Tournament director Alaa Barakat noted the surge in registrations this year as a sign of growing confidence in Jordan as a venue for global sporting events.
In addition to the competition, Ayla is hosting cultural and eco-tourism activities, including the "Ayla Bird Trail," to highlight the integration of sport, nature, and sustainability across the resort's lagoons and green spaces.
Organizers assert that the championship, followed by thousands of golf fans worldwide, strengthens Aqaba's ambition to establish itself as a regional center for niche sports and high-value tourism.