Burrow’s Retains RAK Mens Open Title As Dunn Ties Amateur Course Record

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Max Burrow produced another magical performance to win the 13th RAK Men’s Amateur Open and retain his title.

(Ras Al Khaimah, UAE) – The key EGF fixture saw the 13th installment from Al Hamra in which the finest talent from around the UAE competed in a 2 day 36 hole stroke play event. With competitors teeing it up the final two days before the course closed for the prestigious Road To Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, the course was in immaculate condition with beautiful lush fairways and speedy smooth rolling greens.

RAK Men’s Open Winners

Day 1 saw Max get off to a fast start after firing in a 68 following nines of 35 and 33, in a round which contained just 1 dropped shot. This saw him take a two-shot lead into day 2 from David Guinee who carded 70, closely followed by the duo of past winner Khalid Yousuf and Saif Thabet, who both carded level par rounds of 72.

Max followed up on Day 2 with a 1 under 71 for a 139 total and eventual 3 shot winning margin. Again he dropped just the 1 shot in his round which saw Khalid, Saif, and David all fall away on Day 2 as the trio carded rounds of 76, 76 and 75 respectively. Simon Dunn followed up his first round of 75 with a course record-equalling 67, a feat managed by Challenge Tour player James Allan in the same event 5 years prior, to finish on 142 and once again a second place finish. Third place went to Ahmad Skaik on a score of 145 following rounds of 72 and 73.

The net division saw an outstanding Day 1 performance from Al Hamra member Byung Jin Woo who posted a round of 67 and subsequent 3 shot lead into Day 2. Unfortunately, his second round score of 76 saw him finish second following a card play-off defeat to Ahmed Naim. Ahmed carded rounds of 72 and 71 to take the top net prize. Third place and claiming the last of the main prizes was Adam Zahri on a total of 144.

Tournament Winners

Gross  & Net

1st Place                                 

Max Burrow – 68 + 71 = 139                        Ahmad Naim – 72 + 71 = 143

 

2nd Place                                        

Simon Dunn – 75 + 67 = 142                       Byung Jin Woo – 67 + 76 = 143

 

3rd Place                                     

Ahmad Skaik – 72 + 73 = 145                     Adam Zahri – 71 + 73 = 144

UAE Finishes Fourth at the 38th Pan Arab Golf Championship

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(La Marsa, Tunisia) – On October 18th – 21st 2018 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Golf Team competed in the 38th Arab Golf Championship in La Marsa, Tunisia. After four days of battling the wind and challenging weather conditions, the UAE National Golf Team finished in Fourth Place out of 12 different countries. This is UAE’s best finish since 2011.

National Team Coach Samir Wallani, Mohamed Adel Al Hajeri, Saif Thabet, Khalid Yousuf and Ahmed Skaik

Hosted by the Arab Golf Federation at The Residence Tunis, the UAE Team was made up of Ahmed Skaik, Khalid Yousuf, Mohamed Adel Al Hajeri and Saif Thabet.

Leading the way for the UAE was Ahmed Skaik, finishing in Fifth Place in the Individual Category. Skaik shot rounds of 71-72-75-67 for a championship total of 285, 3-under-par. Skaik was just three shots behind the third places finishers and 11 shots back from the Individual Golf Medalist, Souadi Ayoub from Morocco.

Coming in 12th Place in the Individual Category was Khalid Yousuf, with three consecutive rounds of 74 and a final round of 71 for a championship total 293. Finishing in 23rd and 24th Place in the Individual Category was Mohamed Adel Al Hajeri and Saif Thabet. Al Hajeri shot a total of 302 and Thabet had a total of 304.

“We are very proud of our team’s accomplishments over this weekend. To have our best finish in seven years displays that our teams’ are working hard and pushing each other to be their best. The team showed strength and unity this weekend, after a full two months of traveling while playing in golf tournaments all over the world and to finish as strong as we did demonstrates the desire our team has for this game,” said Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.

The Championship was run over four rounds, the best three scores in a team of four are counted toward each round. Individual scores of players from each country are also recognized for individual Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals.

Winning the Gold Medal for the 38th Pan Arab Golf Championship was Team Morocco. Morocco shot for a combined score of 823, an impressive 41-under-par. Team Qatar took the Silver Medal and host country Tunisia finished with the Bronze.

During the weekend the UAE Team will be accompanied by, H.E. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi (Emirates Golf Federation Chairman and Arab Golf Federation Chairman), Adel Zarouni (Emirates Golf Federation Vice Chairman and Arab Golf Federation Vice Chairman), Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi (Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General), and Samir Wallian (National Team Coach).

Stay connected with the Emirates Golf Federation on their website and social media to get the latest updates and news on the regions’ golf.

EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com

EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation

EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf

EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation

EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)

UAE National Golf Team in Full Swing for the 2018 Arab Golf Championship in Tunisia

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(La Marsa, Tunisia) – This coming weekend, October 18th – 21st 2018 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Golf Team will compete in the 38th Arab Golf Championship in La Marsa, Tunisia. Hosted by the Arab Golf Federation at The Residence Tunis, over 52 players from more than 12 different countries will compete at this four-day championship. Representing the UAE Team will Khalid Yousuf, Ahmed Skaik, Saif Thabet, and Mohamed Adel Al Hajeri.

Saif Thabet, National Team Coach Samir Wallani, and Khalid Yousuf look on as Ahmed Skaik hits an iron shot at The Residence Tunis Golf Course during the first practice round.

After two months of heavy tournament golf, the UAE National Golf Team will switch their focus to the highly anticipated Arab Golf Championship. All four players have had a busy schedule since the end of August playing in events such as the World Amateur Team Championship (Eisenhower Trophy) in Ireland, Asian Amateur Championship in Singapure, and the Junior Olympic Games in Argentina.

“The team and players are in full swing after two and half months of good golf. We feel that we have the ability to compete in both of the Team and Individual Categories”, said Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the 18-hole Residence Tunis Golf Course has a challenging links feel that will test all players’ games this weekend.

“The course is not playing very long, but with the number of water hazards and winds expected to pick up during the weekend, the playing conditions will be a good test for all of the players. As a team, we are hitting the ball well and if we stick to our game plan we should have a good finish,” said National Team Captain Khalid Yousuf

The UAE Team will be accompanied by, H.E. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi (Emirates Golf Federation Chairman and Arab Golf Federation Chairman), Adel Zarouni (Emirates Golf Federation Vice Chairman and Arab Golf Federation Vice Chairman), and Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi (Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General).

The Championship is run over four rounds, the best three scores in a team of four are counted toward each round. Individual scores of players from each country are also recognized for Individual Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals.

Follow the Emirates Golf Federation on social media to get the latest updates and photos from the event.

EGF Order of Merit Championship Now A World Amateur Golf Ranking Event

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United Arab Emirates – The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) is delighted to announce that the 2019 EGF Order of Merit Championship will hold World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status. The WAGR comprises both the men’s and women’s elite amateur golf rankings that is offered by the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA). The WAGR encourages and supports the international development of competitive golf.

2017 – 2018 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit Winners

Set for the April 18th – 20th 2019 the EGF Order of Merit Championship will now provide amateur golfers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) an opportunity to be globally ranked amongst the elite amateur golfers in the world. The top players in the WAGR will be invited to play in the most prestigious amateur golf events in the world such as The Amateur Open, The US Amateur Open, and Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The venue of the 2019 EGF Order of Merit Championship has not been finalized.

“Hosting a World Amateur Golf Ranking event is a great achievement for the Emirates Golf Federation and we feel that by attaching the WAGR points to the Order of Merit Championship, UAE amateur golf will participate and compete more during the EGF Order of Merit season,” said EGF Vice Chairman Adel Zarouni.

Qualifiers for the 2019 EGF Order of Merit Championship will consist of the top 30 finishers from both the Ladies (Gross) Division and Men’s Division from the 2018 – 2019 EGF Order of Merit season.

The seven-month long Order of Merit season will take place at 14 different golf clubs, in the Men’s Division, and 9 golf clubs in the Ladies Division. The Order of Merit will still have a Junior Division but will not hold junior WAGR points at the EGF Order of Merit Championship.

Each Order of Merit season event, across the three divisions (Men’s, Ladies’ and Juniors’) will be played under the stroke-play format for at least 18-holes, with men’s events lasting 36-holes. In the Ladies’ and Junior Divisions, there will be a Gross and Net Score winner for the overall season finishers.

“With the number of talented amateur golfers that currently reside in the UAE we are happy to provide this opportunity to our members. There is no doubt that this WAGR event will in encourage and keep developing the Order of Merit season but also golf as a whole in the UAE,” Mr. Zarouni added.

The Men’s Division starts the 2018 – 2019 season at The Montgomerie Golf Club on October 19th – 20th, 2018. The Ladies will open the season at the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club on November 10th, 2018. The Junior Division will kick off the season in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on October 27th, 2018. To see the full 2018 – 2019 EGF Order of Merit schedule go to www.egfgolf.com.

With almost a new event taking place weekly, golfers can see the latest updates, event news, and results by following the Emirates Golf Federation on Facebook, Twitter and EGF Website. By the continued support from the R&A, USGA, UAE golf clubs, and the UAE golfing community these new WAGR points will surely give 2018 – 2019 golf season another level of excitement.

Skaik & Al Musharrekh Represent UAE at the 2018 AAC in Singapore

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Written By: Joy Chakravarty

SINGAPORE, Oct 3: Ahmed Skaik and Abdullah Al Musharrekh will be flying the UAE flag in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), the premier amateur tournament of the region when play begins at Sentosa Golf Club from Thursday.

Abdullah Al Musharrekh & Ahmed Skaik at the 2018 AAC in Singapore

Both Skaik and Musharrekh are making a comeback of sorts to the game, but are confident of putting on a good show in a tournament which offers a dream reward to the champion – an invitation to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and a place in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush in 2019, provided he retains his amateur status.

Skaik finished his final year in International Studies from the American University of Dubai, while Musharrekh has recently returned from South America, where he was working with Mubadala for the past four years.

This is Skaik’s second AAC appearance after missing the cut last year in Wellington.

“It’s not been a very good season for me as the focus was more on studies. But I am now done and have started concentrating on my golf again,” said the 21-year-old, who has plans of turning professional in a few years and aim for an Olympic spot in 2024.

“This is the biggest event we play all year and I have tried to prepare with it in mind. I have a few important events after this like the Pan Arab Games, so I am hoping all my hard work will pay off, starting this week.”

Abdullah played in the inaugural AAC in 2009 and is making his second appearance in the event as well. But he is not short of motivation as his younger brother, Ahmed, holds the record of best finish by a UAE golfer in the tournament (T24 at even par), which also came in Singapore when the tournament was last played here in 2011.

“Ahmed played very well that year. He was very consistent and shot two sub-par rounds. That was one of the proudest moments for UAE golf. And yes, that gives me motivation,” said Abdullah.

“I was busy with my career with Mubadala and then did my national service. Golf wasn’t a priority for almost 4-5 years. But I am now back in the UAE and I want to be part of the national team on a regular basis. I am a very competitive person, so I know golf is not going to be a simple leisure sport for me.”

Skaik admitted winning the tournament would be difficult, but he was confident that they would both make it to the weekend.

“The level here is pretty high. And as I said, I haven’t been playing regularly earlier in the year. But I know that if I play to my potential, I can post a good result this week,” he added.

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which is now one of the five ‘Elite’ events on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is organized by The Masters and the R&A in association with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. It is supported by six Proud Partners – AT&T, 3M, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, Delta and UPS – and two Scoring Partners, Rolex, and IBM.