UAE Top Amateurs Primed for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in New Zealand

(Upper Hutt Wellington, New Zealand) – On October 25 – 29, 2017 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) top amateur golfers will take the biggest stage in Asian amateur golf. Hosted at the Royal Wellington Golf Club the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is considered one of the most prestigious events by the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Representing the UAE will be Ahmed Skaik and Mohamed Al Hajeri. Playing out of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club will be Rayhan Thomas.

Working in conjunction with The Masters and The R&A, the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will receive an invitation to The Masters and The Open Championship. The Open Championship invite was just recently added this year that only adds to the prestige of this event.

Ahmed Skaik has had a strong 2017 year with an Individual Gold Medal for the UAE National Golf Team at the most recent GCC Golf Championship. He placed in the Top-10 on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) 2016 – 2017 Order of Merit and had 3 appearances on the MENA Tour. With these accomplishments in Skaik’s bag, he should have plenty of confidence coming into this Championship.

Making the trip with Skaik is up and coming UAE National star Mohamed Al Hajeri. Hajeri has quickly moved his way up the UAE National Team ranks. At the age of 17 years old, he plays both for the 18 & Under Team as well as making appearances with the Senior Team. Hajeri recently competed in the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Amateur and is hoping that this experience will help him make the cut this weekend.

We spoke with Hajeri after his first practice round and he had this to say. “The course is in great condition. With that said, the landing areas on the fairways are tighter than I am used too and the greens are playing very fast. In the afternoon the winds will pick up giving all the players even more of a challenge. I am excited to play and the talent is endless here. I am just going to take it a shot at a time and enjoy this experience”.

Also playing in 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is Dubai based and No. 26 in World Amateur Golf Rankings, Rayhan Thomas. The achievements by Thomas are endless and at the age of 17 years old, he will be one of the favorites to be in the hunt during the final round. Thomas will be playing under his native country India.

With the best players in Asian amateur golf in the field at Royal Wellington Golf Club, just playing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is a massive accomplishment. The EGF and the entire UAE golf community will be following these men over the upcoming weekend looking for great finishes. To follow this event, go to www.aacgolf.com or follow the EGF on social media for daily updates.