The UAE’s foremost golfing event is set to return to Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course and Emirates Golf Club’s Faldo Course on the 14th and 15th of April.
The 25th edition of the Dubai Golf Trophy will feature the top 16 Professionals competing against the top 16 Amateurs in the UAE over two days, following a Ryder Cup-style format. Additionally, the tournament includes the Ladies Challenge Match, pitting two Professional ladies against two Amateur ladies.
Originally established by Dubai Golf, this impressive event is rotated across five Dubai Golf courses: Faldo and Majlis at Emirates Golf Club, Earth and Fire at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and the Championship Course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, providing a stage for a fiercely competitive showcase of tournament golf.
Chris May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf, said, “The establishment of the Dubai Golf Trophy underscores our commitment to growing the profile of golf through a competitive and enjoyable format between amateur and professional golfers in the UAE. This Ryder Cup-style event provides both teams with a platform to showcase their skills in a spirit of sportsmanship following a rigorous season marked by EGF and UAE PGA Order of Merit tournaments. We eagerly anticipate the season-ending spectacle on two of the region’s finest courses and extend a warm welcome to all participants. We wish both teams the best of luck for what promises to be an exceptional two days of golf.”.
Each team comprises 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) events across the UAE. Additionally, team captains select four ‘wildcard’ picks and two ladies on both sides. Louis Gaughan will lead the Professional team, while Barry Pavic will captain the Amateur team.
The 2024 event will witness the Amateur team defending their 2023 victory against the Professionals. Despite a competitive effort in the 2023 event to reclaim their 2022 win, marking the Professionals’ first triumph since 2016 against the Amateur team, the Professionals faced defeat with a score of 19.5 – 12.5 during the final day at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
Professional Team Captain, Louis Gaughan, said, I am honoured to captain the Professional team in the Dubai Golf Trophy 2024 for the 25th edition of this fantastic event. I believe in what this event stands for, bringing the amateurs and professionals together, strengthening relationships, and ultimately with a common goal of developing golf with the region for everyone. With this year’s event taking place slightly earlier than normal, the Professional team is as ready as ever to get back to winning ways. I have full belief in this great group of players. Win, Lose or Draw everyone involved always has a great two days. I feel privileged and grateful to be a part of this event and hope it will continue for many years to come.”
Amateur Team Captain, Barry Pavic, said, “After last year’s convincing victory by the Amateurs, we can expect a very motivated team of Professionals to reclaim the Trophy. It will be a matter of ‘every putt counts’ and we can expect a very close game up to the very last day. However, the continuous increase of talent seen within the Amateur tournaments in the region has proven, again, to deliver a high quality of players which I am proud to lead as Amateur Team Captain. We will be ready and look forward to bringing our best game to the golf course with the support from fans and family most welcome to cheer on both teams throughout the two days. It’s going to be a fantastic event.”.
With eager anticipation surrounding whether the Amateurs can uphold their winning streak, the two-day 2024 Dubai Golf Trophy will commence on Sunday 14th April for morning Foursomes and afternoon Fourball matches on the Faldo Course. The tournament will conclude with the Singles matches on Monday 15th April on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
