Possible Three-Peat & New Faces Illustrate the 2018 GCC Golf Championship for UAE Golf

(Muscat, Oman) – On December 10th – 13th 2018 the United Arab (UAE) Emirates National Golf Teams will compete in the 2018 GCC Golf Championship in the Sultanate of Oman. Hosted at the Ghala Golf Club the GCC Golf Championship will be made up of all six GCC countries taking part across four different divisions. This will be the 22nd edition of the Men’s Golf Championship, the 4th edition of the Ladies Championship, and the 10th edition of the Junior Championship (18 & Under and 15 & Under Divisions).

The 2017 GCC Golf Championship in the Kingdom of Bahrain – UAE Ladies Team

The Ghala Golf Club is the first ever golf club in the Sultanate of Oman. The 18-hole course is a friendly social club that is surrounded by the Al-Hajar Mountains providing the golfers with amazing views and a unique setting. A fairly “golfers friendly” course the Gahal Golf Club will be a great venue for the players of all ages to showcase their talents.

Ahmed Skaik

Representing the UAE National Men’s Team will be Khalid Yousuf, Ahmed Skaik, Saif Thabet, and Daood Jaffal. Defending his title from last year’s championship in the Kingdom of Bahrain is Ahmed Skaik. Skaik has had a solid few months of championship golf and practice leading up to this event. With Yousuf, Skaik, and Thabet having played in World Amateur Golf Championship – Eisenhower Trophy and placing fourth at the recent Pan Arab Golf Championship the Men’s UAE Team is looking to have a strong performance in Oman. Rounding out the Men’s Team is Daood Jaffal. Jaffal will be playing in his first international tournament for the UAE team.

The UAE Ladies Team is eyeing to make this a “Three-Peat” for the GCC Golf Championship. Leading the way will be Reema Al Heloo who won the Bronze Overall Medal last year in the Kingdom of Bahrain and has had a busy few months with appearances at the Summer Youth Olympics and Asian Games. Backing Reema will be Hamda Al Suwaidi and Alia Al Emadi.

Playing for the UAE’s 18 & Under Team will be Mohammed Adel Al Hajeri, Rashid Al Qubaisi, and Rashid Al Emadi. Al Hajeri will be playing in his last international event before heading to the United States of America to further his studies at Arizona State University. Al Hajeri has had a busy summer and fall with appearances at the Summer Youth Olympics, Asian Games, and Pan Arab Golf Championship, but a good finish at the GCC Golf Championship will be a great send off.

Al Jassmy Brothers with Mother and Sisters

The UAE 15 & Under Team will have some new young faces that will be making their first international appearances. A product of the National Junior Development Program and direct reflection of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Arabic Schools Golf Initiative supported by DP World, brothers Rashed Al Jassmy (12 years old) and Sultan Al Jassmy (10 years old) will be competing in their first international tournament this week in Oman. Picking up golf just over 2 years ago this is a major accomplishment for these young boys and shows the production of the EGF’s junior program. Leading the young brothers for the 15 & Under Team will be Obaid Al Heloo. Obaid has been on the 15 & Under team for more than two years and with his experience, the UAE should see another strong finish in this division as well.

The EGF Secretary-General and UAE National Team Manager, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi had this to say about the upcoming week. “The UAE Teams are well prepared and we are looking to have strong finishes in all divisions. For the ladies to have the chance to win this event three years in a roll it is a great achievement for the UAE and the EGF National Team programs. Also to have the Al Jassmy brothers competing at such a young age in this event will be a great boost for our Junior Program. We are excited for this week and we hope to make the entire UAE proud”.

For the Ladies and Junior (18 and 15 & Under) Divisions, the championship is run over three rounds the best two scores in a team of three are counted toward each round. For the Men’s Division, 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.