Rich, Alan, & El Chaib Compete with the Best at WAAP

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(DuyXuyen District, Duy Xuyên District, Quảng Nam, Vietnam) – On March 6th – 4th, 2025, three of the top United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Team ladies will be competing against the best female amateur golfers in the Asia-Pacific. Intissar Rich, Hannah Alan, and Lara El Chaib will be representing the UAE at this year’s Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (WAAP) at Hoiana Shores Golf Club, Vietnam.

UAE Team representatives: (L to R): National Team Manager Flora Peuch, Lara El Chaib Intissar Rich, and Hannah Alan

This is the seventh edition of the WAAP championship, which was created by The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs. Players are invited to participate from member countries of the APGC based on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). The winner earns invitations to play in three Major championships – the AIG Women’s British Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship – as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Australian Open, the Women’s Amateur Championship, and an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Intissar Rich is heading into the championship in the middle of having a strong season on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit. Having just won the Trump Ladies Open at the Trump International Golf Club – Dubai and several top finishes on the UAE amateur circuit, Rich will be looking for a strong showing.

In addition to Rich, the UAE will have two collegiate student-athletes represented. Both Lara El Chaib and Hannah Alan are in the middle of their freshman year playing golf for universities in the United States of America.

Hannah Alan, who is playing her golf at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, USA, will be making her second WAAP appearance. Alan played in the championship hosted by the EGF at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in 2021. Hannah has a National Ranking (NCAA) of 1,392.

Lara El Chaib is playing at Jacksonville State University in Florida, USA, and will be making her first appearance at the WAAP. Lara is currently holding a National Ranking (NCAA) of 594.

The 2025 WAAP championship will be played at Hoiana Shores Golf Club and hosted by the Vietnam Golf Federation, the R&A, and the APGC. Known for its shoreline links design, Hoiana Shores Golf Club will be a good challenge for Asia’s elite women amateurs. This is the first time that the championship has been held in Vietnam.

To follow the event, stay tuned to the Emirates Golf Federation social media pages.

EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation

EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf

EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation

EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)

Ahmad Skaik Makes History at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship

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UAE Men’s Team Wins 3rd Gold while Youth U18 Team Wins Bronze

 

(King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia) – On February 24 – 27, 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Men’s and Youth – U18 – Teams competed in the 2025 Men’s and Youth Cooperation Council Championship (GCC) Golf Championship at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Making history by firing the lowest score ever recorded in the GCC Golf Championships, Ahmad Skaik ran away with the Gold Medal with an impressive 18-under-par (-18) final score.

UAE Men’s Team (R-L: EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Rayan Ahmed, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj and National Team Head Coach, Faycal Serghini)

With Skaik’s historic score, he led the way for the UAE Men’s Team to capture its first ever Team Gold Medal. With rounds of 67-69-66-68, for a championship total of 270, 18-under-par (-18), Skaik finished 15 shots clear of the Silver Medalest. This was an unprecedented finish and the largest lead in the GCC Golf Championship Individual Caragory history. Jonathan Selvaraj finished with the Bronze Medal in the Indivual Category shooting four-over-par (+4) just one shot ahead of Sam Mullane who finsihed in Fouth Place. Rayan Ahmed rounded out the Men’s Team, finishing in Sixth Place with a score of nine-over-par (+9).

Ahmad Skaik

Skaik had this to say after his historic victory: “I was hitting the ball very well all week, especially off the tee, which gave me a lot of wedges for my approach shot. With my putter was on, I only made five bogeys, 21 birdies, and one eagle. This, by far, is my best score in a tournament. With all four rounds in the 60s, this was something I’ve wanted to accomplish. I have been working on a lot of tempo and force plate work, which I think has helped a lot. I look forward to taking this finish into the rest of the UAE season and into the summer.”

In addition to the two medal finishes, the Men’s Team also collected the Third Gold Medal in the Team Category, finishing 20-under-par (-20), a commanding 37 stroke difference between themselves and the Second Place – the team from Qatar. Bahrain won the Bronze Medalm in the Team Category.

In the U18 (Youth Division), Team UAE captured the Bronze Medal. Leading the way was Mohammed Thabet, who shot 22-over-par. Thabet also collected the Bronze Medal in the Indiviual Category. Abdulla Kalbat finished in Ninth Place, and Abdulla Salmeen finished in 15th Place in the individual category.

U18 Winning Teams – UAE Bronze

Vice Chairman General Abdullah Alhashmi said, “We have truly shattered records with an incredible performance. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible players for their hard work and determination. A special appreciation to the entire coaching staff and my warmest congratulations to our Secretary General, Mr. Khalid Mubarak, for his leadership and dedication.

This was a true team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder. As Vice Chairman of the Federation, it fills me with immense pride to witness such achievements. Let’s keep this momentum going and continue striving for excellence.”

Played at the Royal Greens and Country Club, this year’s GCC Golf Championship was the 16th edition of the Youth Championship and the 27th edition of the Men’s Championship. Royal Green is an 18-hole championship golf course that has played host to European Tour, LIV Golf, Asain Tour, and Ladies European Tour events.

The Men’s Championship was played over four rounds, with the top three scores from the team contributing per round. The Youth competition was played over three rounds, with the top two scores per round contributing to the teams’ overall results.

To see the full results from the championship and all EGF news, follow the Emirates Golf Federation on all social media platforms.

EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com

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EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf

EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation

EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)

Future Falcons Par 3 League Back in Action at Yas Links

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(Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) – On February 23, 2025, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the second Future Falcons Par 3 League event at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. Over 35 aspiring junior golfers, competed on the stunning Yas Links executive Par 3 Golf Course.

Winners of the Future Falcons Par 3 League – Yas Link Abu Dhabi

The Future Falcons – National Junior Development Program is a long-term commitment to support the growth of golf in the UAE. The program was created in 2016 as a recreational and mass participation platform that is evolving to become a sustainable, long-term framework for the game of golf. The Future Falcons aims to educate, engage, and inspire the next generation of golfing talent.

Sponsored by eGolf Megastore the Future Falcons Par 3 League is seeing rapid growth across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Winning the J1 Yellow Division was Chloe Zhang shooting three-over-par (+3). Winning the J2 Orange Division in the Female Category was Akira De Morney with a score of 10-over-par (+10) and in the Male Category was Majed Thabet shooting nine-over-par (+9).

Winners of the Future Falcons Par 3 League – Yas Link Abu Dhabi

Winning the J3 Green Division in the Female Category was Aatya Ganguly firing a score of eight-over-par (+8) and Pranit Mandge in the Male Category with a solid two-over-par (+2)

Winning the J Elite Blue Division in the Female Category was Dalia Sebti, shooting the best score of the day with level par (E) and Eugene Galuppi shot two-over-par (+2) in the Male Category.

Rounding out the competition with the J Pro Red Division Camelia Sebti won the Female Category with a round of five-over-par (+5) and Keegan Poisat won the Male Category shooting three-over-par (+3).

The Future Falcons Par 3 League will be back in action following Ramadan on April 12th at The Montgomerie. Stay tuned to the EGF social media and website to see regular updates and all photos from the events.

To register for the Future Falcons Par 3 League or to find out more information on the National Junior Development Program please email the EGF at info@egfgolf.com.

Men’s and Youth GCC Golf Championship 2025 Set in Saudi

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(King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia) – Starting today, Monday, February 24 – 27, 2025 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Men’s and Youth – 18 & Under – Teams will compete in the 2025 Men’s and Youth GCC Golf Championship at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

UAE Men’s & Youth 2025 GCC Golf Championship – Saudi Arabia

Representing the Men’s team will be Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj and Rayan Ahmed. Playing for the Youth – Boys 18 & Under – Team are Abdulla Kalbat, Mohammed Thabet, & Abdulla Salmeen.

Played at the Royal Greens and Country Club this year’s GCC Golf Championship is the 16th edition of the Youth Championship and the 27th edition of the Men’s Championship. Royal Green is an 18-hole championship golf course that has played host to European Tour, LIV Golf, Asain Tour, and Ladies European Tour events.

The Men’s Championship will be played over four rounds with the top three scores from the team contributing per round. The Youth competition will be played over three rounds with the top two scores per round, contributing to the teams’ overall results.

Traveling with the teams will be EGF Secretary General Khalis Mubarak Al Shamsi and National Team Head Coach, Faycal Serghini. To receive regular updates on this championship and all EGF news, be sure to follow the Emirates Golf Federation on all social media platforms.

EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com

EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation

EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf

EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation

EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)

 

Emirates Golf Federation and Al Mubarakah Foundation Organize “Golf for Beginners” Event

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28 Youths Experience Golf for the First Time

(Abu Dhabi – February 13, 2025) – In a collaborative effort between the Emirates Golf Federation and Al Mubarakah Foundation, the “Golf for Beginners” event was launched at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club with the participation of 28 youths trying the sport for the first time. The initiative aims to foster and increase community interest in golf while introducing participants to the athletic skills required by the game—foremost among them being high physical fitness, concentration, decisive thinking, and other character-building abilities.

Al Mubarakh Foundation & EGF Staff at Abu Dhabi City Golf Club

 

The event was attended by Ms. Aisha Al-Saadi, Acting General Manager of Al Mubarakah Foundation.

Ms. Aisha emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to building bridges of cooperation with various stakeholders. Founded in 2016 and chaired by Dr. Sheikha Moza bint Mubarak Al Nahyan, Al Mubarakah Foundation’s vision centers on empowering youth, fostering innovation, and raising awareness. This collaboration reflects the Foundation’s objectives in youth empowerment and embodies its core values of leadership and excellence, innovation and creativity, commitment and professionalism, teamwork, transparency, and social responsibility.

Ms. Aisha also highlighted the significance of this event, which opens broad avenues for collaboration between both parties to engage young people and introduce them to the importance of golf and its role in supporting the national sports sector by nurturing skilled young talents who enrich the game and enhance its community presence.

Ms. Aisha noted that the cooperation between the two parties will extend to further initiatives in the near future. In collaboration with the Foundation, the Emirates Golf Federation plans to organize two additional training sessions for this group of youths. This step is aimed at paving the way for these promising Emirati talents to join the Future Falcons Program and begin receiving regular golf lessons at the club.

Developing Emirati youth talent is a cornerstone of the Emirates Golf Federation’s mission, as golf serves as a medium to teach proper etiquette, patience, and sportsmanship, in addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Major General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, stated:

“Working with government entities and community organizations is extremely important to us at the Emirates Golf Federation. Giving these young people the opportunity to learn golf at an early age will have a positive impact on their lives. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Al Mubarakah Foundation and moving forward with these initiatives.”

For more information about the Emirates Golf Federation’s National Junior Development Program and how to join the Future Falcons, please contact info@egfgolf.com or visit www.egfgolf.com.

 

Malcolm Young & Team Serghini Have Flawless Victory at EGF & Emirates PGA Pro-Am

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(Ajman, UAE): On February 16, 2025, Malcolm Young and Team Serghini delivered a flawless performance at the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Pro-Am and Emirates PGA Order of Merit event at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club. Open to all Emirates PGA Professionals and EGF National / Direct Members, Malcolm Young and National Team Coach Faycal Serghini’s team secured victory with stunning performances.

Emirates Golf Federation Vice Chairman General Abdullah Alhashmi with Malcolm Young from GOLFTEC – Dubai

Malcolm Young, representing GOLFTEC – Dubai, fired a 67, 5-under-par, bogey-free round that featured three birdies on the front nine and two on the back. Young finished one shot ahead of the competition edging out Faycal Serghini and Matt Brookes, who posted rounds of 68 and a second place. The tournament featured a competitive field of 25 professionals.

“Thank you to the Emirates Golf Federation for putting this event on,” said Young following the event. “Special thanks to General Alhashmi and the EGF team for the support with the Emirates PGA. The new clubhouse here at Al Zorah is a fantastic addition to the region. We all appreciate the amateurs coming out and playing today, it was a lot of fun.”

Team Serghini

In the accompanying Tour Shambles event, which was open to all EGF National and Direct Members that paired amateurs with a professional player, Faycal Serghini, Aylan Serghini, and Ali Abubaker claimed victory with a remarkable score of 45-under-par.

“It is a goal of ours at the Emirates Golf Federation to bring the community of golf together. This Pro-Am format is a perfect way to bring our Professionals and Amateur together, also providing a valuable benefit for our direct members. We look forward to continuing to develop the Emirates PGA and EGF Membership”

For more information on the EGF Membership visit the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com

 

 

Final results

Professional Division

  1. Malcolm Young 67 (-5)

T2. Faycal Serghini 68 (-4)

T2. Matt Brookes 68 (-4)

Tour Shambles

  1. Faycal Serghini + Aylan Serghini + Ali Abubaker -45
  2.  Jackson Bell + Daniel Nicolson + Rashed Aljarwan + David Higgins -39
  3.  Two teams tied on -37

Golf Sixes League, Abu Dhabi Second Season Commences

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(Al Ain, United Arab Emirates) – A second season of the successful Golf Sixes League, Abu Dhabi has commenced at the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club in a continuing drive to encourage young people to play, enjoy, and remain in the sport.

Golf Sixes League, Abu Dhabi – Al Ain – January 2025

Golf Sixes League is a development initiative originally introduced and supported by The R&A but now managed by the Emirates Golf Federation, which introduces young people to golf in a fun and inclusive environment, along with an added competitive element.  The format sees seven squads of 12 players, who rotate a team of six during each round, compete in a two-ball Texas scramble stroke play format across six holes. The best two scores of the three pairs will count toward the team score.

The League will take place on three dates from January to March, with team winners declared after each round and an overall champion decided at the Grand Final in April.    Teams from the Emirates Golf Federation, Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Acres Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, and the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club took part in the 1st round on Saturday 25 January in Al Ain.

After lots of fun and good sportsmanship, the home team from Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club emerged as the winners.

The second round will take place on Saturday 22 February at Yas Links Golf Club. Follow the Emirates Golf Federation Social Media pages for the latest news and updates.

 

 

1ST Round Results:

1st –    Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club               +1

2nd – Abu Dhabi City Golf Club                                              +2

3rd – Yas Acres Golf Club                                                         +3

 

History as 5 Golfers Tee It Up for UAE on the DP World Tour in RAK

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(Ras Al Khaimah, UAE) – On January 23rd–26th 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will make history as for the first time five golfers will be flying the UAE flag in a DP World Tour event. This historical moment will take place in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Haram Golf Club for the seventh event on the DP World Tour.

(left to right) – Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Adrain Otaegui, Joshua Grenvillewood, Jonathan Selvaraj

Leading the the way for the UAE will be professional Adrian Otaegui, who is currently ranked 175th and the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Otaegui has five tour wins and after just making the cut last week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Adrain will be looking for a strong performance this week in Ras Al Khaimah as he has already placed T3 in this event back in 2022.

Also played under the UAE flag will be professional Joshua Grenville-Wood who is currently ranked 596th on the OWGR. Joshua has played in six DP World Tour events with two top-10 finishes.

In addition to the two professionals, the UAE will have three amateurs competing this weekend. Sam Mullane is UAE’s highest World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) player in the field for the UAE currently sitting at 1,506th. This will be Sam’s first appearance on the DP World Tour.

Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Joshua Grenvillewood

Coming off a big victory at the 2nd Professional Arab Golf Championship in Morrocco, Jonathan Selvaraj who is ranked 1,656th on the WAGRs will be excited to make his second start at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship while looking to continue his good form.

And finally rounding out the pack for the UAE will be Ahmad Skaik. Skaik is making his third start at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and is currently ranked 3,262nd on the WAGRs.

Click Here to view the first-round tee times.

This weekend’s championship has a prize fund of 2.5 million USD and 1,000 Ryder Cup points are up for grabs. Stay tuned to the Emirates Golf Federation’s social media to see the latest updates.

UAE Golf Tops Leaderboard at 2nd Arab Professional Championship

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(El Jadida, Morocco) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) golfers stole the show this past weekend at the 2nd Arab Professional Championship hosted at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort El Jadida in Morocco. Leading the way was amature Jonathan Selvaraj with a final score of 4-under-par, two shots ahead of UAE’s professional Joshua Grenville-Wood.

Jonathan Selvaraj with the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (RMGF) and Arab Golf Federation Delegation

The 2025 edition marked the second time the Arab Professional Championship has taken place which was founded by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (RMGF), in collaboration with the Arab Golf Federation.

Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Joshua Grenvillewood

 

 

The event’s core mission is to promote the development of professional golf in the Arab world, elevate the profiles of Arab players, and foster cultural exchange across the region.

With Jonahtan as the winner and top amateur for the event and Joshua as the top professional, the UAE stole the show. In addition, UAE’s amateur Sam Mullane finished tied for sixth place.

All three golfers will be back in action next as they will tee it up in the DP World Tour’s RAK Championship.

 

Historic Wins for Asia-Pacific at Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies

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Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) retained the Bonallack Trophy and reclaimed the Patsy Hankins Trophy on a red-letter day for golf in the region.

2025 Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophy Winners: Asia-Pacific

On a remarkable day of high-quality golf and high drama at Al Hamra Golf Club, captain Rishi Narain’s Bonallack Trophy side emerged triumphant by the narrowest of margins.

With Asia-Pacific claiming 6.5 points from the 12 singles, the match ended 16.5-15.5 in their favour.

It was more clearcut in the Patsy Hankins Trophy where captain Joanne McKee’s girls turned on the style, winning eight and halving one of the singles encounters to score an emphatic 20-12 success overall.

“What an incredible effort from everyone involved. Congratulations to the players, the captains and their support teams. They should be proud of their achievements,” said Tamiur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC.

It was a day of multiple magical moments, including holes-in-one for Japan’s Mamika Shinchi and Dane Marie Madsen and a majestic five-wood approach into the par-18th green by Eila Galitsky, who set the tone for the day by claiming the prized scalp of England’s World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Lottie Woad in the opening singles encounter.

Leading 11½-8½ overnight, the Asia-Pacific girls came out all guns blazing, never giving their opponents a chance of staging a comeback. Astonishingly, the Asia-Pacific won the first seven matches out – Galitsky, Zhou Shiyuan, Mirabel Ting, Ren Jiyia, Vivian Lu, Jeong Min-seo and Suvichaya Vinichaitham.

“It was just phenomenal,” said McKee, who lived upto her promise of jumping into the Arabian Gulf if her team triumphed. She was followed into the water skirting the 18th hole at Al Hamra by her assistant captains and all 12 of her players.

2025 BPHT Winning Captains Asia-Pacific

Narain and his team were not shy in replicating the celebration when their victory was confirmed some 90 minutes after the girls had clinched their win.

As had been the case at La Manga in 2023, the Bonallack Trophy went down to the wire.

Locked at 10-10 heading into the singles, fortunes fluctuated throughout the day with punches and counter-punches being thrown.

First blood went to the Europeans with WAGR number five Jose Luis Ballester swatting aside Singapore’s Hiroshi Tai 5&4 in the top match. In so doing he completed a 100 per cent record this week, winning all five of his matches.

Pablo Ereno Perez, his partner in crime in the foursomes and fourballs on Wednesday and Thursday, was held to a half-point by Japan’s Taishi Moto.

In match number three, China’s Zhou Ziqin brushed aside Swede Algot Kleen 6&4, the largest winning margin of the day.

But it was Europe who regained the initiative when Benjamin Reuter and Arni Sveinsson overcame Thai Thanawin Lee and Indian Kartik Singh respectively and Czech Republic’s Filip Jakucik halved with New Zealand’s Joshua Bai.

The pendulum swung again in favour of the Asia-Pacific when New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick, Enrique Dimayuga of the Philippines and Japan’s Rintaro Nakano all won handsomely.

With just two matches still on the course, the outcome was still up in the air.

While Vietnam’s Nguyen Anh Minh and Estonian Richard Teder were making their way down the 18th all square, Thai Phichaksin Maichon was one-up on England’s Charlie Forster after 16.

As Anh Min and Teder were conceding short par putts on the home hole and settling for a half, news filtered back that Phichaksin had triumphed on the 17th green. His 2&1 win confirmed Asia-Pacific’s retention of the Bonallack Trophy and sparked wild scenes of celebration among the Asia-Pacific contingent.