Iraq’s open golf championship returns in Erbil after nearly 50 years

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Open Golf Championship has returned for the first time in nearly five decades, teeing off Monday in Erbil with three dozen golfers from across Iraq.

The three-day tournament is being held at the Erbil Hills Golf Course - the country’s only 18-hole-standard facility - marking a milestone for a sport long stalled by war, political turmoil, and a lack of infrastructure.

Omar Sahib, competing in his first championship, told Rudaw on Tuesday that he was pleased with his performance and the conditions in Erbil. “The weather and the course are great,” he noted, hoping to improve his score on day two.

Ghazal Karar said that completing 18 holes in four and a half hours was a strong start for many players. “We achieved a good level today, and we aim for better results tomorrow,” she said.

The Iraqi Golf Federation President Hamid Hanoun praised the Erbil course for meeting international ranking standards, explaining that players compete on two nine-hole levels to complete a full 18-hole round - a qualification that now places Iraq on the global golf map.

“This is the first time Iraq has entered the international golf rankings,” Hanoun said, calling it an important step for the sport’s future in the country.

The championship continues through Wednesday at Erbil Hills, boosting hopes of reviving golf across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

 

Dilnya Rahman contributed to this report.