EGF & Abu Dhabi Sports Council set to host the World Amateur Team Championship in 2023 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

                              

(Abu Dhabi, UAE) – In October 2023 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) will be hosting the World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Following the recent announcement and approval from the International Golf Federation (IGF), the 2023 WATC venue has officially been changed to Abu Dhabi Golf Club, National Course. In conjunction with this announcement, the EGF and Abu Dhabi Sports Council have agreed to partner in successfully hosting the 2023 WATC in the United Arab Emirates.

The World Amateur Team Championships are a biennial international amateur golf competition conducted by the International Golf Federation. The championships will be held in the Middle East for the first time since their inauguration in 1958. 2023 will mark the 33rd men’s championship for the Eisenhower Trophy which will be held from 18^th–21^st October and the 30th women’s championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy which will be held from 25^th-28^th October 2023. The competition brings together the best amateur golfers who have aspirations of collegiate golf or turning professional. Some of the biggest names in golf who participated in the WATC are Annika Sorenstam (SWE) ’90, ’92, Jack Nicklaus (USA) ’60, Colin Montgomerie (GBI) ’84, Sergio Garcia (ESP) ’96, ‘98, Rory McIlroy (IRE) ’06 and Tiger Woods (USA) ’94.

Last month the EGF and ADSC were delighted to receive a visit from IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlan. Mr. Scanlon was appointed IGF Executive Director in 2010 and is responsible for the promotion of golf as an Olympic Sport, the international development of golf, and the representation of golf within the Olympic Movement. His visit to Abu Dhabi marked the beginning of the organization of the WATC in Abu Dhabi.

Mr. Scanlon had this to say following his visit to Abu Dhabi “The IGF is very excited to be holding our first World Amateur Team Championships in the Middle East. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club will provide the best male and female amateur players in the world with the opportunity to compete on an exceptional course at a world-class facility. We thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their support and look forward to working with the Emirates Golf Federation on the successful delivery of the Championships.”

The IGF comprises 152 national federation members from 149 countries.

After hosting 16 editions of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Abu Dhabi Golf Club will be the host of many big events next year, starting with Hero Cup, a recently announced Challenge Tour event, and the World Amateur Team Championships. Abu Dhabi Golf Club was designed by Peter Harradine in 1998. The impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched, overlooks the golf course.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) was established in 2006 by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ADSC is aligned with the emirate’s leadership vision to develop sports and youth activities. The Council promotes an effective, emirate-wide sports calendar that stimulates the desire to participate in quality sports among all Abu Dhabi residents and helps the talented and motivated reach their sporting potential. The sports council supports the organization and hosting of many international sporting events in Abu Dhabi.

“We strongly believe that making the practice of sport a daily lifestyle, representing its positive impact on public health. Precisely for this reason, the Sports Council is supporting the Emirates Golf Federation and its vision of golf development, and creating a competitive pathway for the sport within the UAE. We look forward to hosting the best amateurs in the sport of golf while celebrating Abu Dhabi as a golf destination. said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

After winning the bid for the 2023 WATC back in October 2022 the EGF’s Championship Committee made the pivot of changing from the then-host city Dubai to Abu Dhabi in order to provide a better player experience.

“The Emirates Golf Federation, IGF, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Abu Dhabi Golf Club have been working hard behind the scenes to make the new venue work for everyone involved, more importantly, the teams and players. For the EGF to host the WATC in the Middle East for the first time it is important that we put our best foot forward. With the support and backing of the Sports Council, this will only elevate the player experience. Likewise, Abu Dhabi Golf Club has the resume of hosting the best championships in this part of the world. We are excited to continue to work with the IGF team and our Championship Committee to deliver a championship at the highest level leaving a legacy for UAE golf. On behalf of the EGF Chairman His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi and the rest of the EGF Board of Directors we would like to thank Abu Dhabi Sports Council for its continued support,” said Vice Chairman of the EGF General Abdullah Alhashmi.