SKAIK’S PREVAIL AT THE 2022 UAE PRESIDENTS CUP
Al Emadi Goes Back-to-Back
(Abu Dhabi, UAE) – On February 19-20, 2022 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted over 100 United Arab Emirates (UAE) national golfers, at the 2021 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The 10th edition of the UAE Presidents Cup did not disappoint. Ahmad Skaik was the overall champion for his second time, Alia Al Emadi defended her title in the Ladies Division, and brother of Ahmad, Mohamed Skaik won the Junior Division.
The 2022 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC Winners with His Highness Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and Najeeb Busheri
To celebrate this year’s Presidents Cup, the award ceremony was graced by His Highness Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and Head of Network Distribution at HSBC UAE, Najeeb Busheri.
Ahmad Skaik cruised to victory as he fired rounds of 74-73 for a championship total of 147, 3-over-par. This is Ahmad’s second time winning the Presidents Cup. Ahmad had this to say after the championship, “this year’s win is special for me and my family. To win the Presidents Cup and to have my brother win the Junior Division at the same time, will be something that we will remember forever. I wasn’t hitting the ball particularly well off the tee this weekend but I scrambled well and made a lot of pars. Coming off playing four consecutive weeks on the DP World Tour, it is time for a little break and focus on my studies. It is an honor to win the UAE Presidents Cup and I am grateful for all of the support that I have received from the EGF and entire the UAE. I’d like to thank my family, coaches, and of course my teammates for pushing me and making me a better person on and off the course.”
Ahmad Skaik is currently ranked the 31st best amateur in the world by the World Amateur Golf Rankings sanctioned by The R&A and the USGA.
Taking the Runner-Up prize was last year’s champion, Khalid Yousuf. Yousuf shot rounds of 76-79 for a total of 155. Rounding out the Top-3 and coming in Third Place after a countback, was Khaled Salmeen with rounds of 79-80 for a total of 159.
The Overall Net winner for the event was Walid Al Attar. Walid was playing in his first “national championship” in over 10 years. Playing off a 10.4 golfers’ handicap, Walid finished with a Net Total of 130 for the two days.
The Senior Division saw more than 15 different competitors that were over the age of 50 years old competing for a prize. The winner of the Senior Division with gross scores of 77-84 for a total of 161 was EGF Secretary General, Mr. Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.
Defending her title and going back-to-back in the Ladies Division was Alia Al Emadi. Alia shot rounds of 82-81 for a championship of 163. Alia had this to say after her victory. “It feels amazing to not only win the Ladies Division two years in a row but also it proves to myself that my hard work is paying off. The Presidents Cup is the biggest tournament for Emiratis in the UAE. One thing I particularly love about the Presidents Cup is the fact that all golfers from the UAE reunite to compete together. This weekend my putting has really stepped up. I made some key putts to save my score.”
The Ladies Overall Net winner was Faye Al Bolooshi with a net score of 139.
In the always growing Junior Division, and following in his brother’s footsteps, Mohammed Skaik walked away with the 2022 Junior Division title. Mohammed shot a championship total of 161 to claim his first UAE Presidents Cup Junior victory.
Winning the Runner-Up prize in the junior division was Rashid Al Jassmy with a championship total of 164. Taking home, the junior net prize was Abdulla Al Suwaidi.
In efforts to develop the game of golf within the national community, the 2022 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC also hosted a 9-Hole Championship on the Garden Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. On a modified 9 holes, this year’s event also offered the UAE Special Olympic Team players to compete in the 9-Hole Championship.
21 members of the EGF National Foundation Squad and three players from the UAE Special Olympic Golf Team competed in the 9-Hole Championship. Winning the 9-Hole Championship this year was UAE Special Olympic Team player Ali Bin Sumaida. Ali had a Hole-In-One on hole seven and an eagle on hole eight on his way to shooting an impressive 37 (1-over-par).
Latifa Al Jassmy was the Runner Up and UAE Special Olympic Team members, Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi and Vincent Bower won Third and Fourth Place.
General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice-Chairman of the EGF had this to say following the championship. “Congratulations to all of the winners. On behalf of the Emirates Golf Federation, we would like to thank HSBC for their continued support of this amazing championship. This weekend is a true celebration of UAE golf. Thank you to and Abu Dhabi Golf Club and to The Westin, Abu Dhabi for hosting our players and families. Lastly, thank you to Abu Dhabi Sports Council and eGolf Megastore for enhancing our championship. UAE golf is moving forward, we have a lot of work to do, together with our partners and stakeholders we will achieve our goals.”
About the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)
The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) was formed in 1995 and is the Governing Body of Golf in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The EGF administrates and provides the United States Golf Association (USGA) Handicap System to all EGF members. The EGF sanctions all amateur and professional golfing events and activates in the UAE.
The EGF is a non-profit organization with the goals and responsibility of increasing awareness and participation in golf. The EGF actively conducts an Order of Merit Season, National Junior Development Program, and Junior and Senior National Team Programs. The EGF and UAE golf clubs work closely together to help shape the future of golf in the UAE.
To gain more information about the EGF and UAE Golf visit the EGF Website and Social Media pages listed.
EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com
EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation
EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf
EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation
EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)