From September 21st until 24t, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Golf Team competes in the 2016 World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) – Eisenhower Trophy. The 30th WATC will take place in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club.
The WATC – Eisenhower Trophy is the most prestigious Amateur Golf Event in the world. The format of the WATC – Eisenhower Trophy is as follows – Each team has two or three players play four rounds, of 18 holes, of stroke play. In each round, the total of two lowest scores from each team constitutes the team score for that round. The four-day (72-hole) total is the team’s final score for the championship.
With over 60 different countries being represented, the UAE Team will face a stiff competition as teams such as the United States of America (USA), Sweden, and England are favored to win. Representing the UAE National Golf Team will be Ahmed Skaik, Rashid Hamood, and Saif Thabet. These three players have spent the past three months training at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at Jumeirah Golf Estates, playing in Team Qualifiers, and as of last week competing on the MENA Golf Tour.
Leading the way for the UAE Team will be Ahmed Skaik. At the age of 19, Ahmed is playing in his first WATC – Eisenhower Trophy. After having a strong season leading the UAE Team at the 2015 Nomura Cup in Abu Dhabi as well as top finishes at the GCC Golf Championships and Arab Golf Championships, Ahmed is looking to finish the 2015 – 2016 season on a positive note.
Rashid Hamood is the Assistant Golf Experience Manager at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. After a summer of hard work and a victory at the 2016 UAE Presidents Cup Rashid is coming into the championship with confidence. This will be Rashid’s second time playing in the WATC – Eisenhower Trophy.
Saif Thabet who is also playing in his first WATC – Eisenhower Trophy, works at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council as part of the Technical Affairs and Support Team.
After finishing tied for 57th place in the 2014 WATC – Eisenhower Trophy in Karuizawa, Japan the UAE Team is looking to have a stronger appearance this year. Defending their back-to-back title wins will be Team USA.
The UAE Team will be accompanied by Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General and UAE National Team Manager and Greg Holmes, UAE National Team Coach.
Be sure to follow the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) on Social Media for daily updates of the UAE National Golf Team’s progress during the WATC.
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 activities 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 Senior, Junior, and Ladies 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.
