The excitement is building as competitors from 30 nations, including the host UAE, gear up for the inaugural 54-hole UAE Cup, sponsored by HSBC and organized by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), which kicks off tomorrow (Friday) at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. The event is set to highlight exceptional talent, with the first tee time scheduled for 6:30 am. Seventeen-year-old Mohammad Skaik (UAE) will lead the charge, followed by a day filled with intense golfing action. Players will compete in three-ball groups, with the last tee time at 11:20 am.
Among the top contenders is UAE’s Rayan Ahmed, who is set to tee off at 7:50 am. Ahmed has shown promising form, having recently made the cut at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba in Japan, solidifying his status as a rising star in the regional golf scene. The elite Division of the UAE Cup serves as a qualifier for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, supported by The R&A. This year's winners will gain significant opportunities: the Men's Champion will secure a spot in a Challenge Tour event, while the Women's Champion will earn a berth in the prestigious Ladies European Tour (LET).
The UAE Cup is expected to be a landmark event, showcasing amateur golf and fostering international competition in Al Ain. Ahead of the tournament, Rayan shared with Khaleej Times, “I shot my best career score of 63 in a JAGA tournament at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. I also performed well in the Challenge Tour event earlier this year, shooting 66 on the first day and tying for 23rd in my first Challenge Tour event. Unfortunately, I missed the cut the next day with a +2 over 72.” He added, “I have a lot of course knowledge and fond memories of this course, which is one of my favorites. My goal is to play my best golf and win the inaugural UAE Cup. On Wednesday, my only practice day on site, was crucial for me to get accustomed to the greens and grass again.”
Other notable players include three-times Presidents Cup champion, Ahmad Skaik (UAE), who tees off at 7.20 am. Emma Fleming (Ire) is a strong contender in the WAGR Women’s Division, currently ranked 224. Jumeirah Golf Estates member, Oscar Craig, representing England, tees off at 7.30 am. Oscar made the cut at the Challenge Tour’s UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. The Men’s EGF 2023 – 24 Order of Merit champion, Jonathan Selvaraj (UAE), is also in the field, teeing off at 9.20 am. Victor Larsson (The Els Club), the recent winner of the Tommy Fleetwood International Pathway Series Presented by DP World at Jumeirah Golf Estates, leads the EGF’s 2024 – 25 Junior Boy’s Order of Merit and tees off at 8.00 am.
The 36-hole UAE National Championship will run concurrently with the Elite Division on Saturday and Sunday, allowing UAE National golfers to participate in both events. The Future Falcons Par 3 Division will feature around 70 juniors, both boys and girls, over the weekend, including both UAE Nationals and expatriates. Cameron Van Rooyen, UAE National Coach, expressed enthusiasm, “We are thrilled with the high number and quality of entries. The Future Falcons initiative is the starting point for young golfers in the UAE, serving as a pathway to higher levels in golf. We look forward to meeting the parents and supporters who will help nurture our future champions and golfers.”
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