[ad_1]
Abu Dhabi [UAE], (ANI/WAM): Abu Dhabi will host the UAE Challenge Tour for the first time in five years, with two events showcasing golf’s next generation of talent and a host of local players vying to shine on the big stage. The Abu Dhabi Media Office (ADMO) said the two events, the Abu Dhabi Challenge at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 27-30 April 2023 and the 4-7 May 2023 The Emirates Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, part of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The European Tour Group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) aims to grow golf in the UAE for at least the next decade.
30 slots per tournament will be allocated to the EGF to help create opportunities and provide a pathway for Emirati golfers. The EGF can also exchange these places with other federations around the world, giving their players the opportunity to compete on Challenge Tours overseas. Excitement is building ahead of the Challenge Tour’s return to the UAE for the first time in five years, with UAE No. 1 Ahmed Skaik eager to play after a year-long injury break.
Skeke, who will compete in both events, is aiming to replicate the form he went down in history just four months ago before a disc injury in his lower back kept him out of action for a year. The UAE national posted the lowest score for an Emiratis on the DP World Tour on the opening day of the AVIV Dubai Championship 2021, with an impressive four-under 68 on the fire at Jumeirah Golf Estate.
Skeke said: “I’m really excited to be out there and play. I obviously played a lot at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they’re going to set up the course for the Challenge Tour “Playing games like this will help my game, especially coming back from injury. It gave me great experience playing big events and dealing with the pressure, which helped me deal with the pressure in some of the smaller events. “
While the UAE Golf Federation has 30 slots available at each tournament, they have the option to swap those slots with other federations around the world, giving Emirati players the opportunity to compete in Challenge Tour events overseas, which Skaik is expected to attend Another five races are on the road to Mallorca this year. The Emirati star will take on the likes of Road to Mallorca team leader Ugo Coussaud, who won last month’s KGA Challenge, and Matteo Manassero. The latter remains the youngest winner in DP World Tour history winning the 2010 Castro Masters at 17 years and 188 days.
Akram Skaik, Director General of the UAE Golf Federation, said: “The first step for the EGF was to sign a long-term partnership with the European Tour Group last year and the second step was to bring the Challenge Tour back to the UAE. Great opportunity for local players to gain experience playing in these big tournaments, making sure they understand and are exposed to competing with the pros. “
Freddie Schmeisser, Head of DP World Tour Middle East Championships, said: “We are delighted to bring the Challenge Tour back to the UAE to host these two fantastic events, which form part of what the European Tour Group and the UAE Golf Federation are aiming to achieve in all parts of the country. Developing the game of golf at every level.” It’s great that players from the UAE have the opportunity to play on the Challenge Tour alongside up-and-comers who are all playing cards for the DP World Tour. The experience they will gain is invaluable, and back-to-back matches enhance that experience even more. Our players from the UAE know both courses better than anyone so we hope they can take advantage of that. “
Golf fans in the Middle East are encouraged to support Skaik and the stars of tomorrow by attending both events, free entry and no tickets required. (ANI/WAM)
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and was automatically generated from a syndicate feed.)
[ad_2]
Source link