Ahmad Skaik Represents UAE at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Presented by EGA

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(Abu Dhabi, UAE) – It’s championship time across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) golf world and with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship presented by EGA starting this weekend, January 15th – 18th, 2020, the UAE will have their eyes on National Golf Team Member Ahmad Skaik. Ahmad will be one of three amateur golfers teeing it up this weekend alongside the likes of World Number 1 Brooks Koepka and European Tour favorite Tommy Fleetwood. After battling a fever the past few days, Ahmad made it out for a practice round on Tuesday and is ready for his European Tour debut.

Ahmad Skaik on the tee of Hole 13 during his practice round with Lee Westwood

Ahmad qualified to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship presented by EGA after finishing as the top national amateur at the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship 2019 this past December. Ahmad’s played some solid golf in 2019 with an appearance at the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Amateur Championship in Shanghai, top finishes on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit, and captured a Bronze Medal at the recent GCC Golf Championship in Oman.

Ahmad had this to say about his game and the upcoming weekend, “I feel that my game is in a good place right now, I know this course well and I feel comfortable. Once I get settled in, I’ll be able to launch my driver and that will make me gain more confidence. I took the last few days off because I was battling a fever but I’m feeling a lot better and ready for this weekend.”

Due to being sick the last few days, Ahmad missed out on playing with World Number 1 Brooks Koepka but Ahmad had the pleasure to play with European Tour veteran Lee Westwood during Tuesday’s practice round.

A. Skaik & L. Westwood

“I was gutted that I couldn’t play with Brooks but I needed to rest and get ready for the weekend. Also playing alongside Lee today [Tuesday] was amazing. Lee has so much experience and knowledge, I really enjoyed my time around the golf course with him.

Being Skaik’s first European Tour event he is looking to take in the experience and learn from the environment around the tournament. Making the cut will always be on his mind but he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on himself.

Ahmed will be paired with Richard Bland and Graeme Storm for the first two rounds starting at 13:25 on Thursday and 09:00 on Friday. Come out and support!

The next two weeks will be busy for the golf scene in the UAE with this weekend’s event followed up by next weekend’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. For more information on the upcoming championships and schedule of events head to the European Tour website at www.europeantour.com.

EMIRATES AMATEUR OPEN

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(Dubai, UAE) – Thursday 9th & Friday 10th January 2020: Emirates Golf Club hosted its prestigious Amateur Open sponsored by Omega these past few days. The Faldo course was host to Round One on Thursday, with the Majlis course, primed to host the Desert Classic in less than two weeks, hosting the final round on Friday. With a field of over 100 golfers competing to be crowned Emirates Amateur Open Champion 2020, an exciting few days golf was in store.

In the net competition, Ahmed Naim (Els) had the best day one score with a solid 71, while Carl Zachau (EGF) prevailed in tough conditions on day two to win the best net with a score of 73. The overall net competition across the two days was a tight affair. Emirates Golf Club member Rajinder Razdan came third with scores of 74 & 76 to finish on a total of 150. Just a shot ahead in second place, missing out on victory due to a better back nine, was Saad Atiq also of Emirates Golf Club. Saad had scores of 71 on Faldo and 78 on Majlis to finish with a total of 149. However, the winner of the best net across the two days was Dubai Creek member Humayun Shahryar with scores of 71 & 78.

In the main gross competition, it was a head-to-head race for much of the tournament between Ashley Rees (East Sussex National) and Dan Byrne (Els). Both players fired superb 69’s (-3) on Day one, and through 16 holes on day two Dan led by just a single shot. However, after Ashley made bogey on 17, Dan played a nerveless final hole hitting his wedge to just a few feet before rolling in the putt for a finishing birdie. It gave Dan a final score of 145 (+1) after rounds of 69 & 76, and meant he was crowned Omega Emirates Amateur Open Champion 2020. Dan also won Hospitality for two to the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a spot in the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic Pro-Am.

Ashley Rees won best gross on day one with his excellent score of 69, with UAE National Golfer Ahmad Skaik winning best gross on day two with a 76. Ahmad is gearing up for his debut in the Abu Dhabi Championship next week.

Across the two days, Max Burrow, who had won the Dubai Creek Amateur Championship last week, came fourth with back to back 75’s for a total of 150 (+6). Max Grieb from Germany came third with scores of 72 & 77. Bayhaan Lakdawala proved his consistency following up his runner up position at Dubai Creek the week before, with another runner up finish courtesy of his 149 total (75 & 74).

The competitions generous sponsors Omega ensured all winners were left not only happy with their golf, but also with the excitement to enjoy hospitality for two at the upcoming Dubai Desert Classic.

After the prize presentation Cian Hurley, Emirates Golf Clubs Golf Services Manager, commented; “Thank you to everyone who has joined us these past few days, and of course to our sponsor Omega. Congratulations to Dan for his victory and prevailing in the tough conditions today on the Majlis – we hope you enjoy the experience of playing in the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic Pro-Am”.

UAE National Golf Collects 12 Medals at the GCC Golf Championships

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Muscat, Oman – A great way to ring in the New Year as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Golf Teams collect 12 medals at the latest GCC Golf Championship in Oman. On December 28th – 31st 2019 the UAE National Golf program traveled to the Sultanate of Oman to compete in the 2019 GCC Golf Championship.

UAE National Golf Teams at the 2019 GCC Golf Championship

Hosted at the Ghala Golf Club the 2019 GCC Golf Championship was the 23rd edition of the Men’s Championship, the 5th edition of the Ladies Championship, and the 11th edition of the Boys Junior Championship (18 & Under, 15 & Under Divisions, and 13 & Under). The UAE is proud to announce that the National Golf Teams won three Gold Medals, four Silver Medals, and five Bronze Medals in the Team and Individual Categories

In the Men’s Division, the UAE Team finished in Third Place winning the Bronze Medal. Lead Ahmad Skaik who captured the Bronze Medal in the individual category. Skaik shot rounds of 74-77-73-69 for a championship total of 293, one shot behind than the overall winner. Skaik’s final round (69 – 3 under par) was one of the lowest rounds on the final day providing the UAE Team the comeback they needed to reach the podium.

Last year’s individual silver medalist Khalid Yousuf finished in 9th place shooting a tournament total of 301 for another Top 10 finish to add to his resume. Abdulla Al Qubaisi had a consistent weekend placing 10th overall with a final score of 308. Playing in his first international event for the UAE this year Hassan Al Musharrekh finished with a tournament score of 326, just inside the top 20. Bahrain finished with the Team Gold and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia finished with the Silver

The UAE Ladies Team dominated the field as they claimed the Gold Team Medal by 53 shots. Reema Al Heloo was the overall Champion in the Ladies Division with rounds of 80-86-87 for a championship total of 253. Collecting the Bronze Medal was Alia Al Emadi and coming in Fourth Place just one-shot back was Hamda Al Suwaidi.

In the Junior 18 & Under Division the UAE Team won the Silver Medal. Winning the division was Qatar and coming in Third Place Bahrain.

Leading the way and winning the Bronze Medal in the individual category for the UAE Junior 18 & Under Team was Rashid Al Emadi. Rashid has had a busy month playing in the Men’s Pan Arab Championship in Morocco and now competing a few days after in the GCC Golf Championship on the 18 & Under Team. This week Rashid shot rounds of 89-80-73 for a championship total of 252.

Having a strong performance for the 18 & Under Team was Rayyan Al Maazmi. Finishing in Sixth Place with an overall score of 260 Rayyan will be a key individual to watch in this event over the next few years. Rounding out the 18 & Under team was Hami Faqihinejad with a tournament total of 266.

Gold was won in the Junior 15 & Under Division for team UAE. After finishing tied with Oman the UAE had the lowest third-round score which gave the UAE the Team Gold Medal. Obaid Al Heloo was the determining factor for the team with rounds of 77-83 but his final round of 74 was the lowest for the day and jolted the UAE to the top. Obaid finished with a score of 234 over three rounds while collecting the Silver Medal in the individual category.

Having solid performances was Mohammad Ahmed Haj and Abdullah Al Suwaidi as the finished 6th and 7th in the individual category.

Closing out the championship, the UAE 13 & Under Team won the Silver Medal. The Al Jassmey brothers lead the way as they both finished with the same score of 181. Rashid finished in Second Place with the lower final round score and Sultan finished in Third Place for the individual category. Mohammad Skaik was not too far behind just trailing by two strokes and finishing in 5th Place with a total score of 183.

“The course was really in top conditions with fast greens and perfect fairways. The Men’s Team had a very strong comeback and a great final round from Ahmad Skaik after a tough start. With Yousuf’s even-par and Al Qubaisi 4-over we gained 15 shots on the last day,” said Samir Wallani the UAE National Team Coach.

“In each division we had some kind of comeback besides the Ladies who just dominated since the first round. It just goes to show that you need to stay positive and never quit and that’s what we did. I am so proud of these teams they showed heart and teamwork,” Coach Samir added.

Moving forward the teams will focus on the Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit events and training camps that will be coming up. The UAE Presidents Cup will be coming up in February and all players will be looking to be crowned the next UAE National Champion.

Continue to follow the UAE National Teams on the Emirates Golf Federation social media pages and the Federation website at www.egfgolf.com.