NEW YORK: The Aramco Team Series — New York has launched the Driving Force presented by Aramco, an initiative aimed at helping further open golf to people of all backgrounds and make the sport more inclusive.
Backed by some of the biggest names in modern golf, the initiative seeks to create a culture within global golf that promotes involvement from people of all backgrounds.
The Aramco Team Series — New York will take place at Glen Oaks Club, Long Island, from Oct. 14-16.
Organizers will pair up NYC street golf icon Tiger Hood with big-hitting long drive competitor Troy Mullins and the Girls on the Green Tee charity, which aims to introduce young women to the game, and provide leadership and character development.
Aramco Team Series director Tom Hogg said that it is hoped the initiative will help to develop golf around the world “in a way that makes it more accessible and open to all.”
He added: “That is something that can only be of major benefit to the sport.”
“All four Aramco Team Series events are designed to inspire and attract more women, girls, men and boys into the sport we all love,” he said.
“That invite is open to all, and if there are any obstacles that stand in the way, we as a tournament, and Aramco and Golf Saudi as our backers, will look to take the steps available to help overcome them for the greater good of golf and all those excited by the sport.
“We’ll do this in New York by throwing our weight behind the Girls on the Green Tee charity with the support of Tiger Hood, who has created a form of street golf never seen anywhere before, and Troy Mullins, who through her long-driving alone has become a modern golf icon,” Hogg said.
The Aramco Team Series is a new concept and the first team event series on any professional tour, where the world’s best compete in concurrent team and individual contests.
The New York event is the third leg of the four-tournament Series and heads to the US following successful events in London and Sotogrande in Spain, where American Alison Lee secured her maiden professional victory with a win in the individual format.
The $1 million Aramco-backed event sees teams of four battle it out for a share of an $800,000 prize fund, with a $200,000 purse for the leading individual scores over the weekend. As a full LET event, each tournament also carries points toward the world ranking and the Race to Costa del Sol, LET’s season-long competition to crown Europe’s leading female golfer.
Ahmed Al-Subaey, vice president of marketing, sales and supply planning at Aramco, said: “The Aramco Team Series is all about doing things differently, taking a fresh approach to golf, how it’s played and enjoyed from the top level down. The Driving Force presented by Aramco initiative is a product of that philosophy, which aims to make golf more accessible for everyone. We hope to introduce more young people to the game and make it easier than ever to get a club in your hand, no matter your background or where you’re from.”