The stars of the future at this month’s World Amateur Team Championship will be hoping to use the prestigious amateur event, taking place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, as a springboard for success, just as Adrian Meronk did before becoming a three-time winner on the DP World Tour.
Meronk played in the Eisenhower Trophy on three occasions, with the last of those coming in 2016 where he carded three rounds in the 60s to finish in a share of third in the individual competition, while also leading the Polish team to an historic eighth place finish in the team competition – the country’s first, and only, top ten in the biennial event.
“The Eisenhower Trophy was my favourite amateur tournament, I would always look forward to competing. But it was only every two years, so it was a long wait between editions!” said the Pole, who is now based in Dubai.
“It was definitely the highlight of my amateur career. I usually played very well, and it was actually the final amateur tournament I played in 2016 before turning professional.”
“It’s great to see the tournament head to the Middle East for the first time. I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic event.”
Three years after that historic outing in Mexico, Meronk became the first player from Poland to win on a major golf tour with his triumph at the Open de Portugal @ Morgado Golf Resort in 2019, helping him graduate from the Challenge Tour and become the first Polish player to earn full DP World Tour playing privileges.
Fast forward four years, the 30-year-old is now a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, picking up the Horizon Irish Open, ISPS Handa Australian Open and the DS Automobiles Italian Open between July 2022 and May of this year.
Despite the glitz and glamour that comes with being Poland’s first ever DP World Tour winner, Meronk admits he misses the camaraderie that he and his teammates used to have when playing the Eisenhower Trophy.
“My advice to those competing is to just go out there and enjoy yourself with your teammates,” he said.
“It’s such a cool event to be involved with; you have the individual and team competition, a big opening gala with teams from across the world carrying their flags – I miss that team environment, especially now I am out on Tour playing on my own. I obviously have my team around me but not a team that I compete with and against like I did back then, those memories are very sweet.
“It’s also a great track to play this month’s tournament. Abu Dhabi Golf Club demands precise shots and the greens are very fast and firm, so I’m sure they will prepare it well and offer the next generation a talent a firm but fair test.”
The Emirates Golf Federation, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sports Council and their Destination Partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism, will host the men’s Eisenhower Trophy from October 18-21, followed by the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy on October 25-28.
