Rayan Ahmed, a gifted 17-year-old golfer from the UAE, is set to leverage his familiarity with Japan’s Taiheiyo Club Gotemba as he gears up to participate in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC). Rayan has partnered with Abdulla Kalbat, and both will be competing against a formidable field of 120 golfers from 43 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) member nations. Ahmed, who holds a UAE passport, recently demonstrated his prowess in Tunisia, where he secured silver medals in both the Under-18 Boys Team and Individual categories at the Pan Arab Youth Championships. As he prepares for the AAC, Ahmed aims to capitalize on his recent success and make a significant mark on the global stage.
“I have been traveling for over 15 hours via Dubai since Sunday afternoon, finally arriving here last night – it’s a long journey from Tunisia to Japan, covering around 10,400 kilometers,” he shared with Khaleej Times. “I didn’t feel my best today – likely still adjusting to the time difference. The golf course here is lengthy and narrow, with winds gusting through the trees. I participated in a one-week golf camp here earlier this year in May. It rained every day then, and we didn’t play from the back tee boxes, but I do have some local knowledge,” Rayan added.
“The standout moment of my busy year so far has been winning the US Amateur Qualifying Medalist. This week is a fantastic opportunity to gauge my progress against my peers. It’s a pivotal week for me.” Abdulla Kalbat, who celebrated his 17th birthday just two days ago, is the UAE’s top-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
“It’s a stunning golf course and a solid test of golf,” remarked Abdulla, who plays at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. “I arrived on Monday and enjoyed my first practice round over nine holes. I’ve played in the GCC Golf Championships this year and am eager to perform my best this week.” The golf world has converged here, with federations, players, officials, and media outlets like The Golf Channel, alongside esteemed organizations such as The R&A and Augusta National.
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is taking place just 100 kilometers from Tokyo, at the base of Mount Fuji, in a country known for its fervent passion for golf. Japan, with its 2,300 golf courses and 8.1 million golfers from a population of nearly 125 million, truly embodies a nation deeply enamored with the sport. Tee times for the first round start at 6.30 am from both tee one and tee 10, with play over the Par 70, 7,217-yard golf course. The tournament will be broadcast live on television and through the tournament website: www.AACgolf.com. The competition will span 72 holes, with a cut to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes, who will then play over the weekend.
Leading this week’s field, which comprises the region’s top male amateurs, is China’s Wenyi Ding, who ranks fourth in the WAGR. Other top contenders include No. 35 Xihuan Chang and No. 79 Justin Bai of China, No. 70 Enrique Dimayuga of the Philippines, No. 87 Anh Minh Nguyen of Vietnam, No. 99 Quinton Croker of Australia, and No. 108 Rintaro Nakano of Japan. Last year’s champion, Australian Jasper Stubbs, will also return after competing in the Masters Tournament and The 152nd Open at Royal Troon this year.
Notable highlights for the UAE in past AACs include Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas (Ind) finishing tied second in 2018 at Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore, to Takumi Kanaya. In 2021, when Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club hosted the Championship, Ahmed Skaik (UAE) shot rounds of 69, 71, 77, and 71, totaling four over par 288, to place 42nd. Tee times for UAE players for the first round are as follows: 7.58 am: Abdulla Kalbat, Tee 1. 11.29 am: Rayah Ahmed, Tee 1. The AAC, a joint initiative first held in 2009, is supported by the APGC, The Masters, and The R&A.
