Latest news with #AhmadSkaik
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Amateurs extend dominance in Dubai Golf Trophy as Skaik and Craig seal crucial wins
The pressure was on, the margins razor-thin — but when the final putt dropped at Emirates Golf Club's Majlis Course, it was the Amateurs who stood tall once again. In a thrilling finish to one of the UAE's most storied golf showdowns, the Amateurs, a dominant squad battled the Professionals to a dramatic 16–16 tie which ensured they kept the prestigious Dubai Golf Trophy firmly in their grasp. Played across tthe Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club — this year's competition continued a decade-long run by the Amateurs. Now in its 26th edition, the Dubai Golf Trophy continues to serve as the season finale for the country's top talent. The Ryder Cup-style contest pits the best 16 Amateurs against an equal number of Professionals over two days of intense match play. Though both teams were stacked with high-level competitors, the Amateurs showcased why they've become the team to beat, extending their remarkable run to nine wins in the last ten years. Despite the Professionals holding a narrow edge after the team-format matches on day one at the Creek, the individual contests on the final day flipped the script. As the afternoon progressed, the Amateurs clawed back crucial points — culminating in a deadlock that favoured them as defending champions. Among the standout performers was Emirati golfer Ahmad Skaik, whose narrow 1UP victory over Louis Gaughan underscored his composure under pressure. Skaik's win not only added a critical point to the Amateurs' total but also carried symbolic weight, reinforcing the rise of UAE-born players on this elite stage. While much attention surrounded the performance of Oscar Craig — who clinched the final point in a dramatic finish — the broader storyline remained the depth and resilience of the Amateur squad. Other key contributions included wins from Barry Pavic, Aayan Dadabhoy, and Jonathan Selvaraj, each helping to neutralize strong performances from the Professional side. The Dubai Golf Trophy continues to evolve as more than just a showcase of talent; it's a symbol of the growing parity and competitiveness within UAE golf. With players like Skaik leading the way, and a system that continues to produce high-caliber Amateurs, the momentum appears firmly in their corner. A special Ladies Challenge Match also ran concurrently, with Amateur players Aoife Kelly and Sana Tufail notching victories over their Professional counterparts, further signalling the strength of grassroots development in the Emirates. Results Monday MatchPlay Singles Final Score: Amateurs 16 – 16 Professionals Victor Larsson 1UP Jackson Bell Luke Challis 2&1 Thomas Ogilvie Adrian Larsson WD Michael Major Mo Craig WD Sujjan Singh Alistair Hess 4&3 Garrick Porteous Dan Byrne (c) Tied Damien Scott Jay Mullane 2&1 Jordan Gallagher Simon Dunn 3&2 David Gray Barry Pavic 2UP Graham Forbes (c) Ahmad Skaik 1UP Louis Gaughan Aayan Dadabhoy 3&2 Matt Rice Tom Stephenson 1UP Matt Brookes Mikhail Pinto 5&3 Jan Hejna Emmanuel Gallepini 5&4 Stephen Wilson Oscar Craig 1UP Stuart Smith Jonathan Selvaraj 5&4 Joqauin Estevez Ladies Challenge Match Results Aoife Kelly 1UP Olivia Jackson
Khaleej Times
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Skaik hoping to ride on recent momentum as he focuses on UAE Challenge in Abu Dhabi
The UAE's Ahmad Skaik is eager to build on the momentum from his historic outing at the UAE Challenge as he turns his focus to this week's Abu Dhabi Challenge (April 17–20), the concluding event of the HotelPlanner Tour's double-header in the UAE. The 27-year-old made history as the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour group event, picking up the award for lowest amateur after finishing 69th at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club. His impressive performance included a thrilling finish to his second round on Friday, where he went birdie-birdie-eagle over the final three holes to card a five-under 67 and secure a weekend spot on the Tour for the first time. Skaik is now looking ahead to this week's event at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, focused on carrying the positives forward. 'I'm taking lots of positives away from last week, the last two rounds aren't going to take away anything from what I achieved,' said Skaik. 'I'll be taking all of those positives, hopefully do the same and maybe even better.' Skaik's participation in both UAE events has been made possible through the Emirates Golf Federation's (EGF) long-term partnership with the European Tour group, which allocates 30 tournament spots for UAE players across the two tournaments. The initiative reflects a joint commitment to growing golf in the UAE through 2032. As a key beneficiary of the partnership, Skaik has now competed in 12 HotelPlanner Tour events since 2023, supported by the EGF's collaboration with other national golf federations. This unique opportunity has allowed Skaik to hone his game internationally, playing against emerging stars in Italy, Spain, France, and the Czech Republic on the DP World Tour's official feeder circuit. With experience across 12 events under his belt, Skaik has developed both on and off the course—navigating travel demands, adapting to different courses, and sharpening his competitive edge. This progress has only strengthened his belief that he's ready to compete at the next level, as he eyes a professional debut later this year. 'I've played many of these HotelPlanner Tour events and I feel like I can now compete with them,' he said. 'I don't see any big differences between me and the players on the Tour, so that just gives me confidence heading into this week's event in Al Ain.' Several of Skaik's UAE National Team teammates will also be in action, hoping to follow in his footsteps. These include his brother Mohammed Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Neyl Cherrat, and Rayan Ahmed—who turned heads with an opening-round 66 at last year's Abu Dhabi Challenge. They'll be joined by several stars chasing a place on the DP World Tour next season, including last week's winner Renato Paratore, two-time DP World Tour champion Eddie Pepperell, Dubai-based Adri Arnaus, and the UAE's own Joshua Grenville-Wood. Last year's champion and Dubai resident Garrick Porteous returns to defend his title, while Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg will tee it up thanks to an invitation from the Emirates Golf Federation. Grinberg made headlines two years ago as the second-youngest player to ever make a cut on the DP World Tour—aged just 14 years, six months, and six days—at the Soudal Open in Belgium. The Abu Dhabi Challenge is backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and UAE-based sponsors including Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore. Fans can attend free of charge, with top-tier international golf on display throughout the week.
Khaleej Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
‘I told my Dad I'd make the cut': Skaik turns bold prediction at UAE Challenge into history
Sometimes belief makes all the difference. The night before his second round at the UAE Challenge, Ahmad Skaik looked his father in the eye and made a bold promise: 'I'm going to make the cut.' And the next day he didn't just keep his promise - he made golfing history when he became the first Emirati golfer ever to make the cut in a European Tour group event. On Friday at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, the 27-year-old talent delivered a spectacular birdie-birdie-eagle finish to sign off with a sensational five-under-par 67 that moved him to four under for the tournament and into the weekend with the game - and belief - to go even lower. 'I told my dad yesterday, I'm going to make birdie on the last to make the cut, because I triple-bogeyed it (in round one),' he said. 'So, I'll take eagle for sure! It's very tough to make an eagle, with that side slope off the green. I just thought, I don't want to miss it right? I hit a really good three-iron - and the putt dropped!' Vision to Victory It was the kind of finish you can't script, but Skaik had already written the story in his head the night before. Skaik had finished the opening round at one over par, but it was a score that belied his excellent form, which saw him complete his back nine (Al Zorah's front nine, having started on the 10th) in just 33 strokes. 'I was very confident, even yesterday. It was just that one hole – 18 - that made my score look like I was playing badly,' said Skaik. Now, with the weekend in sight, the amateur trailblazer has his sights is focused on making more history. 'I've never made it to the weekend in a HotelPlanner Tour or DP World Tour event, so it's exciting. I want to go double digits under par—that's my goal,' he said. Growing Home Talent The Emirati golfer's progress is a testament to the success of the Emirates Golf Federation's (EGF) partnership with the European Tour group, which aims to develop homegrown talent and create clear pathways for UAE-based players to compete at the highest levels of the sport. As part of the partnership, the EGF has secured 60 spots for local players at this week's event in Ajman and next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. These spots can also be exchanged with other federations to unlock even more playing opportunities at HotelPlanner Tour events worldwide. The initiative is yielding positive results for UAE golf. Elsewhere, South Africa's JC Ritchie, France's Oihan Guillamoundeguy, and Ireland's Mark Power share the lead at ten under, each carding strong second rounds to position themselves atop a crowded leaderboard. Guillamoundeguy capped off his round with back-to-back birdies, while Dubai resident Adri Arnaus and UAE's Joshua Grenville-Wood also impressed, the latter matching Skaik's eagle at the 18th to move to six under. But the story of the day belonged to Ahmad Skaik- the confident young man who told his dad he'd make the cut, then went out and made history.
Dubai Eye
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Emirati golfer makes history at UAE Challenge
Ahmad Skaik has made history, becoming the first Emirati ever to make the cut at a European Tour group event. The UAE's top amateur delivered a stunning finish to his second round at the UAE Challenge (HotelPlanner Tour), finishing at four-under-par. Over the final three holes, Skaik went birdie-birdie-eagle, carding a five-under 67 at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman. The 27-year-old, who is a member of the UAE National Team, started the day with some ups and downs but stayed patient, making his eagle on the par-five 18th after a perfect drive and a 12-foot putt. Looking ahead to the weekend, Skaik is aiming for more history, with a goal to go double digits under par. "I told my dad yesterday, I'm going to make birdie on the last to make the cut, because I triple-bogeyed it," he said. "So, I'll take eagle for sure! It's very tough to make eagle, with that side slope off the green. I just thought, I don't want to miss it right. I hit a really good three-iron—and the putt dropped!" "It feels amazing." 🇦🇪 Ahmad Skaik becomes the first UAE amateur to make the cut at a #HotelPlannerTour event 👏 — HotelPlanner Tour (@HPlanner_Tour) April 11, 2025 Skaik's performance marks a major milestone for UAE golf and highlights the success of the Emirates Golf Federation's (EGF) partnership with the European Tour to develop local talent. As part of the partnership, the EGF has secured 60 spots for local players at this week's event in Ajman and next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. These spots can also be exchanged with other federations to unlock even more playing opportunities at HotelPlanner Tour events around the world. Meanwhile, South Africa's JC Ritchie, France's Oihan Guillamoundeguy, and Ireland's Mark Power share the lead at ten under par after rounds of 70, 67, and 67. Guillamoundeguy was another player who got the better of Al Zorah's closing holes, finishing his round with consecutive birdies. "Always nice to finish birdie-birdie. I hit two good shots and made two birdies in a row to finish, so that's really good," said the 20-year-old. "I played really well today. There were a couple of mistakes, but I bounced back really well. "I'm feeling good; I love the place. I have some friends who came here to support me, so I'm feeling good, and I'm ready for this weekend." Christoffer Bring and fellow Dane John Axelsen lie one shot back alongside England's Will Hopkins at nine under. Dubai resident Adri Arnaus enjoyed another strong day, matching his 68 from the first round to move to eight under for the tournament. The UAE's Joshua Grenville-Wood is also in contention. The 27-year-old mirrored compatriot Skaik with an eagle at the last to sign for 68 and move to six under par.
Daily Tribune
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Emirates Golf Federation Reinforces Commitment To Developing Homegrown Talent At Uae Challenge
As the prestigious UAE Challenge prepares to return to Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club from April 10–13, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) has reaffirmed its strategic vision to nurture homegrown golfing talent and elevate the UAE's presence on the global stage. Part of the HotelPlanner Tour, the UAE Challenge is not just another tournament—it's a proving ground for the UAE's next generation of elite golfers. The EGF is leveraging the event to offer valuable international exposure to Emirati and UAE-based players, placing them side-by-side with top rising stars from across the world. 'This event is more than just a tournament—it's a launchpad for local players to take their next step,' said General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation. 'By hosting world-class events like the UAE Challenge, we are not only promoting the UAE's credentials as a leading golf destination but also directly supporting the future of Emirati golf.' Among the UAE's top contenders is national team standout Ahmad Skaik, who recently made headlines by winning individual gold at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship with a phenomenal -18 under par. Skaik will be joined by teammates Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Rayan Ahmed, who together clinched the team gold by a record 38 strokes—underscoring the rapid development of golf in the Emirates. The UAE Challenge will also welcome standout amateurs like Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne, both earning tournament exemptions after tying for second in the inaugural Cedars Championship. As top local performers, their inclusion further signals the EGF's commitment to fostering local success stories. In a demonstration of regional unity, players from the Arab Golf Federation, including Qatar's Daniil Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi, are also set to compete. The field will be further enriched by entries from club professionals representing top UAE golf institutions, such as Jackson Bell (Tommy Fleetwood Academy), Craig Howie (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club), and Damien Scott (Al Hamra Golf Club). International federation trades have also enabled participation from National Team amateurs around the globe, including representatives from the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) —further enhancing the competitive calibre of the event. This week's tournament forms a core part of the EGF's broader development agenda, which includes grassroots training, international exposure, and elite-level support, in close collaboration with the DP World Tour and The R&A. Following the UAE Challenge, the Abu Dhabi Challenge will take place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from April 17–20. Both events are supported by Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore, with additional backing for the Abu Dhabi leg from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Department of Culture and Tourism. 'Through events like the UAE Challenge, we are giving our players the stage, the tools, and the belief to dream bigger—and to realise those dreams,' said Alhashmi. General admission is free for fans attending both the UAE Challenge and the upcoming Abu Dhabi Challenge.
