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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