On October 25 – 29, 2017 the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) top amateur golfers will take the biggest stage in Asian amateur golf.
Hosted at the Royal Wellington Golf Club the 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is considered one of the most prestigious events by the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Representing the UAE will be Ahmed Skaik and Mohamed Al Hajeri. Playing out of
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club will be Rayhan Thomas.
Working in conjunction with The Masters and The R&A, the winner of the Asia-Pacific
Amateur Championship will receive an invitation to The Masters and The Open
Championship. The Open Championship invite was just recently added this year that only
adds to the prestige of this event.
Ahmed Skaik has had a strong 2017 year with an Individual Gold Medal for the UAE
National Golf Team at the most recent GCC Golf Championship. He placed in the Top-
10 on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) 2016 – 2017 Order of Merit and had 3
appearances on the MENA Tour. With these accomplishments in Skaik’s bag, he should
have plenty of confidence coming into this Championship.
Making the trip with Skaik is up and coming UAE National star Mohamed Al Hajeri.
Hajeri has quickly moved his way up the UAE National Team ranks. At the age of 17
years old, he plays both for the 18 & Under Team as well as making appearances with the
Senior Team. Hajeri recently competed in the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior
Amateur and is hoping that this experience will help him make the cut this weekend.
We spoke with Hajeri after his first practice round and he had this to say.
“The course is in great condition. With that said, the landing areas on the fairways are tighter than I am
used too and the greens are playing very fast. In the afternoon the winds will pick up
giving all the players even more of a challenge. I am excited to play and the talent is
endless here. I am just going to take it a shot at a time and enjoy this experience”.
Also playing in 2017 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is Dubai based and No. 26 in
World Amateur Golf Rankings, Rayhan Thomas. The achievements by Thomas are
endless and at the age of 17 years old, he will be one of the favorites to be in the hunt
during the final round. Thomas will be playing under his native country India.
With the best players in Asian amateur golf in the field at Royal Wellington Golf Club,
just playing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is a massive accomplishment.
The EGF and the entire UAE golf community will be following these men over the
upcoming weekend looking for great finishes. To follow this event, go to
www.aacgolf.com or follow the EGF on social media for daily updates.
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.
EGF Website: www.egfgolf.com
EGF Facebook: Emirates Golf Federation
EGF Twitter: @EGFuaegolf
EGF Instagram: emiratesgolffederation
EGF LinkedIn: Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)
