presents
🇬🇧 UK 🇬🇧
The Race to Makkah:
May 15th - Aug 28
Two iconic courses.
Two days of championship golf.
Three division winners.
One global pathway.
South Africa, your moment has arrived.
Forrest
Pines
Whittington Heath
The
Shire
Ingrebourne
Links
The UK series returns as the heartbeat of the Race to Makkah global circuit. Four events will shape the season. Your best three scores will define your standing. Every Stableford point will accumulate across the campaign.
This is not about one good round. It is about consistency over time.
Across four championship venues, players will compete in cumulative Stableford format, where every point earned strengthens your position on the leaderboard. At season’s end, three division champions will rise and secure their place at the Race to Makkah World Final.
Alongside the individual championship, the Liwaa Cup returns with greater intensity.
Once the Race to Makkah UK season concludes, the top four players from each division in both the North and the South will earn selection to represent their region. Twelve from the North. Twelve from the South.
Selection is earned through season-long performance. Representation is a privilege. The Liwaa Cup is not entered. It is achieved.
Compete across the UK.
Earn your place on the world stage.
presents
The Race to Makkah:
South Africa
Welcome to the Inaugural
2026 Race to Makkah
South Africa Championship
It is with immense pride and anticipation that we welcome players to the inaugural 2026 MGA Race to Makkah South Africa Championship.
For the first time, South Africa becomes an official stop on the global Race to Makkah series, a pathway that has brought together Muslim golfers from across the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond. Now, this movement arrives on South African soil.
This moment is historic.
South Africa carries a rich and often understated pedigree of Muslim golfers, players who have competed with discipline, dignity and quiet excellence for generations. Communities that have preserved their identity while embracing the game. Families who have built a tradition around fairways and friendship.
The arrival of Race to Makkah here is not by chance. It is recognition.
Recognition that South Africa deserves its place on the global pathway. Recognition that its golfers are ready to compete, to represent and to rise.
This championship is more than 36 holes of competition. It is the beginning of a chapter. A defining moment where three division champions will emerge and carry the South African flag onto the international stage.
Over two championship courses, across two decisive days, history will be written.
🇿🇦 And it begins now. 🇿🇦
Wed 15th April
Round 1: Blair Atholl
The Opening Test
The championship opens at Blair Atholl.
A course of scale and presence. Vast fairways framed by open sky. Subtle undulations that demand intelligence as much as power. It rewards patience. It punishes indiscipline. It asks questions from the very first shot.
There is nowhere to hide here.
Then the horn sounds.
A shotgun start sends the entire field into motion at once. Every division. Every contender. Every hole is alive from the first strike.
There is no gradual build.
The championship begins everywhere.
The wind can shift.
The pressure can build.
Momentum can change in a single swing.
Round one is not about glory.
It is about positioning.
About composure under expectation.
About laying a foundation that must hold under pressure.
Because once Blair Atholl speaks, the leaderboard begins to take shape.
And the chase begins…
The First Statement
Over 18 demanding holes, the field will begin to stretch. Early discipline creates breathing space. Early mistakes demand resilience.
Cumulative Stableford means every point matters. Nothing resets overnight. What you build here travels with you into the final round. Momentum becomes confidence. Ground lost becomes pressure.
This is where leaders establish authority.
Where contenders position themselves with intent.
Where belief is either strengthened or tested.
Some will stay patient.
Some will chase too early.
Some will discover that championship golf demands more than talent.
By the close of day one, patterns will emerge. The tone for Steyn City will be set.
The question is simple: when Blair Atholl settles, will your name be near the top, or will you be chasing history?
Thu 16th April
Round 2: Steyn City
The Arena of Decision
The championship concludes at Steyn City. Modern. Refined. Championship prepared.
But on this day, it becomes something more.
The horn sounds again.
A shotgun start means the entire field moves as one. Every division battling in real time. Every birdie and dropped shot rippling instantly through the leaderboard.
The pressure does not build slowly.
It is immediate.
Leaders feel the weight from the opening shot. Chasers know exactly what is required.
Across the course, momentum shifts hole by hole.
This is not about protecting position.
It is about earning it.
The Final Reckoning
Cumulative Stableford means nothing resets.
What was earned at Blair Atholl must be defended.
What was lost must be reclaimed.
With a shotgun start, the championship unfolds in parallel. No delayed drama. No quiet corners. Every hole carries consequence at the same time.
There is nowhere to hide.
No second chance tomorrow.
By the closing stretch, three division champions will emerge.
Not by reputation.
Not by promise.
But by 36 holes of performance.
Steyn City will decide who represents South Africa on the global stage.
The question is, will it be you?
The Global Stage Awaits
Saudi Arabia 2027
The Race to Makkah World Final is not simply another tournament. It is the summit of the global pathway.
In Jan 2027, division champions from the United Kingdom, the United States, and now South Africa will converge in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to compete over a championship stage worthy of the journey.
Three nations. Three divisions. One title in each category. There is no ambiguity, no regional shield to hide behind. Only performance.
This is where the best from each country stand shoulder to shoulder and declare who is truly world champion.
Yet what sets the World Final apart is not only the calibre of golf, but also the context.
Participants are given the opportunity to perform Umrah during their time in the Kingdom, grounding the competition in something far greater than sport alone. The journey becomes both competitive and spiritual. Excellence on the course paired with reflection beyond it. Brotherhood forged not only through fairways, but through shared purpose.
To win in South Africa is to earn more than a trophy.
It is to step onto a global stage in the heart of the Muslim world, to compete with the finest from across continents, and to experience a journey that unites faith and championship golf in a way no other platform does.
This is the pinnacle.
Four Continents. One Brotherhood. One Championship.
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🇬🇧 UK 🇬🇧
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🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦
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🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇸
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🇸🇦 SAUDI ARABIA 🇸🇦
Itinerary
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8:00 am Registration & Breakfast opens
8:00 am - practice facilities are open to use by tournament players
9:30 am - Welcome & Players briefing
10:30 am - Shotgun Start Let the competition begin. Starting holes will be allocated 48 hours before tee off.
Halfway Grab & Go will be provided complimentary.
4:30pm - Dinner & Day Results
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8:00 am Registration & Breakfast opens
8:00 am - practice facilities are open to use by tournament players
9:30 am - Welcome & Players briefing
10:30 am - Shotgun Start Let the competition begin. Starting holes will be allocated 48 hours before tee off.
Halfway Grab & Go will be provided complimentary.
4:30pm - Dinner & Final Prize Giving Ceremony
🏆 Tournament Format
Two-day cumulative Stableford competition
Three handicap divisions to ensure fair and competitive play:
Division 1: 0 – 8.4
Division 2: 8.5 – 14.4
Division 3: 14.5 – 21.4
Players must hold an official and verifiable handicap to be eligible to compete. Each competitor will play within their respective division, facing players of comparable ability over two championship rounds.
At the conclusion of 36 holes, the highest cumulative Stableford score in each division will be crowned South Africa Race to Makkah Champion and earn an all-expenses-paid place at the World Final in Saudi Arabia.
There is no social division at this stop.
This qualifier is built for those who wish to test themselves under championship conditions and compete for progression to the global stage.
Price Per Player - 5,500 ZAR
Tournament Entry
Two Rounds ( 1x Blair Athol & 1x Steyn CIty)
Complimentary Breakfast
Halfway Grab & Go
Buggies on both courses (sharing)
Free range & short game access on both courses
Private Dinner on both days
Trophy Presentation on the Final Day
Winner & Runner Up Trophies, Longest Drive & Nearest to the pin prizes
Hole in One Prize
Player Registration Process
The MGA Race to Makkah arrives in South Africa with purpose and intensity.
To ensure competitive balance across all handicap divisions, entry into the MGA Race to Makkah South Africa Qualifier follows a structured registration process.
Step One
Complete the player registration form with your full details, including handicap information.
Step Two
Our team will review all applications to ensure appropriate division allocation and a balanced championship field.
Step Three
Successful applicants will receive a secure payment link via email.
Payment must be completed within 96 hours of receiving your link in order to confirm your place.
The Prize
Three division champions will earn an all expenses paid journey to the Race to Makkah World Final in Saudi Arabia.
This is more than a tournament reward. It is a complete experience. Winners will travel to the Kingdom to perform Umrah in Makkah and Madinah before stepping onto the championship stage to compete in the MGA World Final against fellow Muslim golfers from across the United Kingdom, the United States and now South Africa.
Your journey will include premium accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, followed by a stay at Saudi Arabia’s first ultra luxury all inclusive resort, The Rixos Murjana. From sacred cities to championship fairways, every detail is designed to reflect the standard of the global platform you have earned your place on.
This is not simply a prize. It is the opportunity to represent your country, compete at the highest level and take part in a journey that unites faith, brotherhood and championship golf.
A once in a lifetime experience, earned, not given.
Tournament Hotel
The Houghton Hotel Spa, Wellness and Golf
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Houghton Hotel has been selected as the official tournament hotel for the 2026 MGA Race to Makkah South Africa Championship.
Located in the prestigious suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg, this award winning urban resort will serve as the central base for players across the two championship days.
Blending refined architecture with contemporary luxury, The Houghton offers an environment aligned with the standard and professionalism of the Race to Makkah platform. Spacious rooms, attentive service and carefully curated facilities ensure players can prepare, compete and recover in comfort.
MGA participants will benefit from a preferential tournament rate, available exclusively to registered players. Details and booking instructions will be shared upon confirmation.
Beyond accommodation, The Houghton delivers a complete lifestyle experience. Multiple dining venues offer elevated culinary options, while the spa and wellness facilities provide the opportunity to relax and reset following each competitive round. A fully equipped gym and indoor pool are also available for those who wish to maintain peak performance across the tournament.
Designed for comfort. Selected for excellence. Aligned with championship standards.
Your Invitation Awaits
FAQs
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If you would like to stay at The Houghton Hotel alongside MGA staff and fellow players, please email info@muslimgolfassociation.com.
We have secured preferential rates exclusively for MGA participants and will be pleased to share these upon request. Guests staying at the hotel will also benefit from dedicated transfers to and from the tournament venues, ensuring a seamless championship experience throughout your stay.
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Caddies may be requested in advance and are available at approximately SAR 500 when shared between players.
Individual caddie services can also be arranged upon request.
We will circulate a separate email closer to the event with full details regarding availability and booking procedures.
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This package is land-only and does not include flights. All guests are responsible for booking their own travel to and from Florida.
We are also putting together an optional MGA South Africa Golf Week around the main tournament. If you’d like more information please let us know via email.
info@muslimgolfassociation.com
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MGA has secured exclusive access to Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate and Steyn City Golf Club, with shotgun starts confirmed on both championship courses.
Each round includes full access to the practice range, with balls provided, as well as the world class short game facilities at both venues.
Day One
Shotgun start. Starting holes and groupings will be shared 72 hours prior to play.Day Two
The final round will follow a live leaderboard format. Players will be paired according to their division and current standings, ensuring a competitive and compelling conclusion to the championship. -
We’ll be using the Stableford scoring system – the preferred format for all MGA tournaments worldwide.
In simple terms, Stableford awards points based on the number of strokes taken on each hole, rather than simply counting total strokes over the round. The better you play on each hole, the more points you earn – and if you have a bad hole, you can pick up and move on without ruining your entire score.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
1 point for a bogey
2 points for a par
3 points for a birdie
4 points for an eagle
0 points for anything worse than a bogey
This format keeps the game fast, competitive and more enjoyable – especially for newer players. It also means one bad hole won’t ruin your entire round.
Stableford is the standard scoring method used by all MGA host countries and ensures a fair and consistent playing experience across our global tournaments.
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We have a dedicated team in South Africa and the UK:
SA: +27 82 6390071
UK: +447593 930 204
Email: info@muslimgolfassociation.com
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The three divisional winners will receive an all-expenses-paid experience to compete in the World Final, taking place in Saudi Arabia IN Jan 2027.
They’ll have the opportunity to represent South Africa and compete against Muslim golfers from across the world, including other qualifiers from the UK & USA.There will also be prizes for runners up, nearest to the pin & longest drive each day too.
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To be eligible for the main prizes, players must have a registered SAGA handicap with at least three cards submitted before the tournament begins.
If you don’t have a SAGA handicap, you will need to submit handicap certificate from your home clube. This will then be verified by the MGA Team before play.
Handicap Divisions:
Division 1: 0 – 8.4
Division 2: 8.5 – 14.4
Division 3: 14.5 – 21
Please note: All handicaps are capped at a maximum of 21 index.
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