The 2023 World Amateur Team Championships presented by Rolex are poised to take centre stage in the Middle East for the first time in the region’s history with today marking one month to go until the eagerly-anticipated event kicks off at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council along with Destination Partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism, the men’s Eisenhower Trophy is scheduled for October 18-21 while the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy takes place for the following week from October 25-28.
Both tournaments are set to feature 36 countries with each nation having two or three playing representatives.
The best two scores from each day’s play constitutes towards the team’s score for each round with the 72-hole total combing to give the nation’s score for the full championship.
“We are delighted to host the World Amateur Team Championships which is another significant addition in Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing international calendar of sports,” said Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
“The Eisenhower Trophy for men from October 18-21 and the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy in the following week have drawn 36 nations in both categories. It also provides our home golfing talents the opportunity to play side-by-side with the elite amateur golfers.
“We warmly welcome the participating teams and wish every participating team the very best.”
General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, added: “The Championship Committee along with the Local Organizing Committee have been working hard over the past 12 months to get to this final stage of preparation.
“Under the patronage of his Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Golf Federation, we look forward to hosting the world’s best amateur golfers and top federations at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
“I would like to thank our partners at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism for their support and for making this Championship possible.
“Finally, I would like to thank golf’s governing bodies, the International Golf Federation, The R&A and the USGA for their trust in the United Arab Emirates for hosting this prestigious championship, it is our mission to continuing to develop the sport of golf in the Middle East.”
These esteemed amateur contests have often been a showcase of golf’s promising young talent with past Major champions Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods previously featuring on winning teams before turning professional.
Both tournaments were last held in 2022 in France where Italy emerged victorious at the Eisenhower Trophy on 31 under par while Sweden claimed the Espirito Santo Trophy on a score of 13 under.
The events also featured high-profile names such as Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg and USA’s Rose Zhang – both of whom are recent winners in the professional game, the former having been named in Luke Donald’s European team for the upcoming Ryder Cup in Rome.
Qualified Teams
Eisenhower Trophy – Argentina, Australia, Austria Canada, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guam, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Wales, Zimbabwe
Espirito Santo Trophy – Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America
