From L to R: : Colonel Habih ur Rehman, Sir Nick Faldo, Hamza Amin, Charley Hull and Rafa Cabrera Bello at the opening of the Rumanza golf course in Pakistan.

A star-studded team of Graeme McDowell, Charley Hull and Hamza Amin reigned victorious at the recent Rumanza Inaugural Challenge Match – celebrating the opening of Pakistan’s 1st signature golf course, the Rumanza Golf and Country Club.

Team Hull, led by 3-time Ladies European Tour winner and 5-time European Solheim Cup player Charley Hull from the UK, shot an impressive 14-under par to take the win. Joining Hull was 2010 US Open Champion and 2021 European Ryder Cup vice-captain Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland; and Asian Tour player and one of Pakistan’s leading professionals, Humza Amin.

Team Rafa, led by 2021 Spanish Open winner and 4-time DP World Tour winner Dubai based Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spain), trailed by just 2 shots. Cabrera Bello’s teammates included 17-year-old amateur, Humna Amjed – one of Pakistan’s most promising female golfers; and PAK Pro Tour Number 2 ranked player, Ahmed Baig also from Pakistan.

Flanked by a large crowd of fans, the players made their way around Sir Nick Faldo’s latest architectural masterpiece, with fireworks coming early on in the 7,533-yard, par-72 Rumanza course.

The Rumanza Golf and Country Club, developed by the DHA Multan, marks Sir Nick Faldo’s first venture in South Asia and the most ambitious course construction project in Pakistan’s history. The international players shared their thoughts on the course during a post-event press conference.

Cabrera Bello said: “It’s a great course - everyone is very impressed. It’s fairly forgiving off the tee, but makes you think a lot on the second shot in. The greens have lots of movement. Some really deep links-style bunkers around the greens protect some hidden pins. Nick has always been a fantastic strategist and the beauty of this course is that he makes you think about every single shot you hit.”

A key objective of the Rumanza development is to provide the facilities and expertise required to develop and nurture local talent. Alongside the 18-hole Championship course, the Rumanza Golf and Country Club has a double-sided driving range and a short-game practice area with putting greens, chipping greens, and eco bunkers. These state-of-the-art facilities are a first for golf in Pakistan.

Amin, one of Pakistan’s leading pro golfers with 8 pro tour wins under his belt, talked about the importance of facilities such as Rumanza: “I’ve been a pro for 10 years, and there’s been a lot of progress in Pakistan during that time. The PAK Pro Tour now hosts 20 to 25 events each year, prize money is increasing, and the player fields are growing. Adding facilities like the Rumanza Golf course to the existing infrastructure here in Pakistan can only add to that progression. I’m excited to see the development of the next generation of Pakistani golfers.”

McDowell added: “One of things I’ve felt this week is the passion and the intensity for wanting success in Pakistan golf. What DHA Multan has done in creating the first world-class facility here in Pakistan is that it gives these players the opportunity to play on the type of course that they can expect to see on the Tours. Having had the chance to spend time with the young talent here in Pakistan, it’s only a matter of time until these guys move to the next level.”

Rumanza is located in Pakistan’s 5th largest city, Multan, famed for its rich culture, heritage, history and stature.