High in the mountains of NEOM, where skeptics question whether snow will ever fall consistently enough for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is doubling down on another ambitious vision: the region’s first high-altitude mountain golf course. Despite mounting concerns over delays plaguing his $500 billion desert ski resort project, the Crown Prince remains undeterred in his pursuit of transforming Trojena into a world-class sporting destination.
The Trojena Golf Course represents more than just another addition to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding golf portfolio, as pointed out by Factmagazines. Positioned at 2,100 meters above sea level in NEOM’s dramatic mountain landscape, this 18-hole, 80-hectare course designed by Dusenberry promises an experience unlike any other in the Middle East. With a remarkable 300-meter elevation change across its routing, the course is being marketed as “golf with a vista” – a fitting description for a layout that will challenge players both technically and visually.
The ambitious design places Trojena’s course among the world’s highest golf destinations, though it falls short of claiming global supremacy. For perspective, America’s highest 18-hole course, Copper Creek Golf Course in Colorado, reaches 9,863 feet at its 14th tee, significantly higher than Trojena’s 6,890-foot elevation. Nevertheless, in a region where sea-level courses dominate, Trojena’s mountain setting represents a revolutionary leap in Middle Eastern golf architecture.
This latest project reflects the Crown Prince’s broader golf revolution across the Kingdom. The Public Investment Fund’s commitment to golf has reached staggering proportions, with public reporting estimates suggesting PIF spending approaching $5 billion by the end of 2025, including $4.58 billion already committed by May 2025. The LIV Golf funding represents just one component of Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive golf strategy, which includes plans to more than triple the Kingdom’s course count by 2030, with private capital targeting multiple luxury golf resorts.
The Crown Prince has been refreshingly candid about his sporting investments’ economic motivations. In a 2023 Fox News interview, Mohammed bin Salman dismissed “sportswashing” criticisms, stating he doesn’t care about such labels if sports contribute to GDP growth. “I have 1% GDP growth from sports and I’m aiming for another 1.5%,” he declared. “Call it whatever you want.” He further described a potential PGA Tour-DP World Tour-PIF alliance as a “game changer” that would reduce duplication and “focus on developing the game” for the benefit of players and fans alike.
While questions persist about Trojena’s readiness for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, with whispers of potential venue shifts to rival locations, the golf course project continues full steam ahead. Perhaps that’s fitting for a leader whose vision extends far beyond immediate challenges, building not just for today’s skeptics but for tomorrow’s possibilities among the clouds.
