The people who are building over there need jobs.
It's all well and good if you can turn down work for ethical reasons. But, let's just say a lot of us can't.
If I got the call tomorrow to help shape in Saudi. I would take it.
Why, well the simple answer is I need to work to pay for my apartment, I need work to pay for my study trips to improve as a shaper and designer, I need work to continue to improve my craft.
I am not saying I agree with the Saudis position on a lot of things but this happens in North America as well. I have worked for people with whom I politically and morally disagree with. Why because I needed the job.
If I had to ideological agree with every owner or even job, I would never work another day.
Now I can hear your saber rattling already, but that's the truth. My hope is that they hire and foster good young talent. That builds the best golf they can over there. Why because it's a chance for people to practice golf architecture not just golf renovation. That's an chance that is so rare these days. I am really worried about the craft as the opportunities for mentorship and practice are few and far between these day.
So in short do I love the Saudis no, but is this a chance for some good people to work, yes.