Emirati Golfers Set to Shine at Abu Dhabi Challenge in Al Ain
Ahmad Skaik and Ahmed Al Musharrekh will represent the UAE alongside an elite international field at the prestigious HotelPlanner Tour event this autumn.
The Abu Dhabi Challenge promises to be a compelling showcase of emerging talent and established excellence, with Emirati competitors Ahmad Skaik and Ahmed Al Musharrekh joining a distinguished international field at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from 30th September to 3rd October.
Organised in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation and supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the tournament forms part of the HotelPlanner Tour and represents a significant milestone for professional golf in the UAE. The EGF’s allocation of 30 places within the field underscores the Federation’s commitment to nurturing national talent whilst fostering international exchange.
The partnership framework extends beyond domestic competition, enabling the Emirates Golf Federation to exchange remaining allocated places with other golf federations. This arrangement creates valuable opportunities for UAE-based professionals to compete internationally within the HotelPlanner Tour ecosystem, facilitating meaningful pathways for career development and global engagement.
The competition will feature considerable local representation alongside world-class competitors. UAE-based players David Horsey, Adri Arnaus and Dominic Foos will contest the event, whilst Craig Howie brings home-course advantage as a representative of the host club. The international contingent includes former European Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and Christofer Blomstrand, the current leader of the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
The Al Ain tournament assumes particular significance within the professional calendar, providing the final qualifying opportunity for players seeking to secure places in the HotelPlanner Tour’s two season-ending events in China. The top 68 competitors in the Road to Mallorca Rankings will progress following the conclusion of competition at Al Ain.
Abdullah Al Hashmi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, emphasised the importance of the championship in developing national talent. He highlighted the tournament’s value in providing Emirati players with the opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition on home soil, whilst noting that Ahmad Skaik’s progression from the national team to professional golf exemplifies the developmental pathway the Federation endeavours to establish for the next generation of UAE golfers.
Source: WAM