Ask anyone who has ventured to the Middle East to play golf, and I’d be willing to bet that the vast majority of golfers will have played in Dubai, and probably, Abu Dhabi too.

But look a little further away from the glitz and glamour of the UAE, and you will discover that Bahrain – the tiny Kingdom Island situated just off Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf – has a lot to offer, and not just when it comes to golf.

Bahrain has a rich cultural heritage, and although has only one golf course – unless you include the sand course at Awali – holds a unique place in the region with one of the most liberal cultures in the Middle East. With three UNESCO world heritage sites, Bahrain is often referred to as the pearl of the Gulf.

Factor in that the living costs, and therefore the cost for visiting tourists, are significantly lower than Dubai – with some reports stating that Dubai can be as much as 62 per cent more expensive – what Bahrain lacks in the number of golf courses, it more than makes up for away from the greens.

And with only one golf offering at the moment – although more are in the pipeline – The Royal Golf Club (RGC) excels at offering a world-class visitor experience, on par with some of the more established destinations in the UAE.

Designed by Colin Montgomerie, and opened originally as Riffa Golf Club in 2008, the Royal Golf Club as it’s now known, is nestled in the very core of Bahrain, a short 20-minute drive from the capital Manama – the same distance as it is from the Saudi-Bahrain Causeway which links the two Kingdoms together like an umbilical cord.

Designed by Montgomerie in collaboration with European Golf Design, the 18-hole course is a links-style experience in the desert with fast running fairways and open approaches into huge, contoured greens.

The aptly named Wee Monty nine-hole, par three course, is a scaled down version of its big brother with holes ranging in distance from 60 to 140 yards, designed specifically for less experienced golfers, and beginners.

In recent years the club has invested heavily on-and-off the course, and last year completed a significant renovation project ahead of hosting the DP World Tour in February 2024 – which returned to Bahrain after a hiatus of 13 years – with South African Dylan Frittelli winning by two shots with a score of 275.

Speaking prior to the Bahrain Championship, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi, chairman of Bahrain International Golf Course Company and the Royal Golf Club (RGC) said: “Our team has undertaken a major project of renovation of the golf course, aligning it with international standards.

“This renovation not only enhances the playing experience but also positions RGC as a key player in Bahrain’s burgeoning tourism sector.

“The return of the DP World Tour to the Kingdom after 13 years is a historic moment for RGC and Bahrain as a whole. Achieving this milestone required meticulous planning, collaboration and a dedicated team. We have worked closely with the Bahrain Olympic Committee, event organisers and local authorities to ensure a seamless experience for players and spectators alike.

“Operationally, RGC has invested in state-of-the-art facilities and services to meet the demands of such a mega event, including major course enhancements with a number of greens on the front and back nine being redesigned along with all the bunkers.

“The changes are aimed at creating larger, less undulating playing surfaces which will enable more pin positions to be available.

“With less undulation there will also be an opportunity to increase the firmness of the greens, which will lead to tour-standard green speeds.

“The exciting journey that the renovations have brought to the club aims to challenge the best golfers in the world whilst also providing the highest quality experience for those that play the course throughout the year.”

As part of that commitment to upgrading the visitor experience, the club recently took delivery of an 80-strong fleet of Club Car Tempo golf cars complete with Visage GPS technology and comfort seats.

“The long-term strategic vision focuses on establishing the club as a premier destination for golf enthusiasts around the world,” added Captain Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi. “It will undergo several positive changes to achieve this vision, starting with the course enhancement and redesign that took place last year.

“The enhancement project focused on implementing advanced sustainability practices such as water conservation, organic maintenance techniques and other sustainability initiatives. To encourage player development, we will introduce comprehensive programmes tailored to different age groups and skill levels, including coaching clinics, junior golf camps and beginner-friendly initiatives.

“Delivering exceptional family-friendly experiences will be our focus by offering personalised services, exclusive programmes and an array of social activities.

“We aspire to become a beacon of excellence, fostering a love for the sport and enriching the lives of our members and the wider community.”