Filippo Celli is relishing the chance to compete at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club as the UAE Challenge gets under way this week – the first of two back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour events in the country.
The Italian, who returned to the HotelPlanner Tour this year after a season on the DP World Tour, is riding high after a string of strong performances, including a tied fourth finish at the Delhi Challenge. Now sitting 15th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, the 24-year-old is eager to continue that momentum in Ajman.
“I love it here,” said Celli. “It’s amazing – the golf course and the place – so I’m really enjoying playing here. I’ve never played here before, but it looks very fun.”
Consistency Is Key
Known for his patience and consistent play, Celli believes smart course management will be key this week. “The greens are very slopy, so if you miss from the wrong side, it’s tough to get up and down. From the tee it’s forgiving, but you still have to be careful.”
Joining Celli in a strong international field are two-time DP World Tour winners Eddie Pepperell and Renato Paratore, as well as Road to Mallorca Number Two Joshua Berry.
The UAE Challenge will also provide a crucial platform for local talent, with a significant number of spots in the field allocated to the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) as part of the European Tour group’s long-term development partnership. Among those taking part are Ahmad Skaik and Rayan Ahmed, two of the UAE National Team’s most promising talents.
Record Breaker
Fresh off a record-breaking gold medal win at the GCC Championship, Ahmad Skaik is confident heading into the week.
“It’s always fun when we get to this time of year with two HotelPlanner Tour events in a row here in the UAE,” said Skaik. “Now we have more and more local players in the field which really shows how it’s helping grow the game here.”
“I know the setup at Al Zorah pretty well – the greens are firmer and quicker this week, and I’m sure they’ll tuck in the pins more. But that course knowledge is something we can hopefully use to our advantage.”
“My confidence is pretty high. My game is good, I’ve been working really hard, so I’m very excited to get going.”
For Rayan Ahmed, the UAE Challenge is a chance to build on his promising debut last season.
“It’s a great opportunity we’ve been given. The course is in the best condition I’ve ever seen it,” he said. “Playing against this level of competition really helps – I can show my talent now.”
“I played the Abu Dhabi Challenge last year and was tied 20th after the first round. I narrowly missed the cut, but it gave me a lot of confidence. It’s a completely different feeling to other events – you’re playing with amazing players.”
With a blend of rising global talent and a growing pool of local hopefuls, the UAE Challenge promises to deliver an exciting week of competition – and another important step forward for the region’s golfing ambitions.
First round action begins tomorrow at 6:30am, with Filippo Celli teeing off alongside Australia’s Danny List and Scotland’s Daniel Young at 12:10pm.
