Latest news with #Asia-PacificAmateurChampionship
Khaleej Times
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Building bridges from Augusta to Dubai: A new chapter for amateur golf begins
From April 7th to 13th, 2025, the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club played host to more than just golf's greatest players. Amid the Masters Tournament's 89th edition, General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice President of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), was on a mission—representing the UAE and preparing for a pivotal moment in amateur golf. General Alhashmi's visit was far more than ceremonial. Alongside EGF Board Member Mustafa Al Hashimi and Dubai Golf CEO Chris May, he took part in a milestone Masters, witnessing Rory McIlroy finally don the iconic green jacket and complete the elusive career Grand Slam. 'It was a weekend that I will remember for a very long time. The level of excellence not only on the golf course but also around the property of Augusta National, has certainly left an impression on me to bring back to the UAE. I am glad that I got to witness the tradition like any other,' said General Alhashmi. 'During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with Chairman Ridley to discuss preparation for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, as well as the impact that the UAE has had on amateur golf.' During his time at Augusta, General Alhashmi engaged in key discussions with Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, focusing on Dubai's preparations to host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC)—a tournament that not only crowns the region's top amateur but also grants its winner a golden ticket to the following year's Masters. Adding to the prestige of his visit, General Alhashmi also attended the Green Jacket Ceremony held at the 18th green, marking an unforgettable capstone to a week steeped in tradition and vision. The UAE will officially host the 16th AAC at Emirates Golf Club from October 23–26, 2025, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Dubai Golf, and Augusta National Golf Club. The AAC was founded to spotlight the region's emerging talent, giving 120 top male amateurs from 42 APGC member organizations a stage to shine—and a chance to compete at the Masters. This was first confirmed in October 2024 during an announcement in Japan, where APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin shared his enthusiasm for the UAE's selection: 'We have a proud tradition of hosting the AAC at world-class venues and we are continuing to do that by hosting the 2025 edition in the UAE at the Emirates Golf Club, strengthening our relationship with the UAE and Middle East region.' As the curtain falls on the 2024/2025 UAE golf season—with back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour events and the EGF Order of Merit Championship next weekend—the Emirates Golf Federation continues to build momentum. This year's Masters wasn't just about history being made—it was about the future being forged.
Khaleej Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Ahmed Skaik isn't just playing to win — he's playing to build a future and a legacy
Ahmed Skaik doesn't sound like someone who has been waiting for success. He talks like someone who is ready for it. There's a quiet conviction in his voice, a sense that the work has been done — not just on his swing, but in how he sees himself. After years of chasing form, navigating injuries, and dealing with the mental pressure that elite athletes quietly carry, the 27-year-old Emirati golfer has reached a point of clarity in his career. 'I feel mentally much stronger,' he says. 'Everything I've been working on — physically, emotionally, even spiritually — is starting to come together.' Self-belief The results reflect that self-belief. While much has been said about his historic performance at the UAE Challenge — where he became the first Emirati golfer to make the cut in a European Tour-sanctioned event — for Skaik, it was simply another confirmation that he's heading in the right direction. He recalls the nerves standing on the 18th tee in Ajman, remembering the triple bogey from the day before. But this time, he steadied himself and hit a perfect tee-shot and then flushed his second shot 270 yards downwind that hit to 17 feet from the pin, from where he bravely holed it. 'I just said to myself, You've done this before. You can do it again.,' he said. 'That hole was everything. It tested me. And I passed. That moment… I really wanted it,' For Skaik it just isn't about golf. It's about moving forward with clarity about what he wants - to turn professional later this year. And the decision isn't being rushed by results or headlines. It's coming from something more grounded — a readiness he feels every time he steps onto the course. 'I've tried to get here many times, and I've come up short. But I needed those experiences,' he says. 'I've grown from them. I'm ready now.' Restructuring Process In recent months, Skaik has restructured everything around him. A focused training regime, regular physio, proper rest and recovery, healthy meals — and a team that helps him stay balanced. He's found that small changes, about getting the basics right, every single day. 'It's the things people don't always see,' he explains. 'The stretches before and after a round, the cold therapy, eating right — it makes me feel better every day.' More importantly, he's found belief again. For a while, it was missing. Injuries had taken their toll. So had the mental grind of tough competition. But now, there's a rhythm to his game — and to his life. His ball-striking has improved, but so has his mindset. 'It's not just about technique,' he says. 'I'm trusting myself more. I tell myself: Commit to the shot. You belong here,' And that voice is getting stronger. Future Targets Looking ahead, Skaik is targeting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship this October — a landmark tournament on home soil. Whether he wins or not, it will trigger the period when he officially turns pro. After that, he plans to attempt both the European and Asian Tour Q Schools, stepping fully into the next phase of his journey. 'I love this game. I want it to be my future,' he says. 'And I think I'm ready to earn that.' But as he pushes forward, Skaik is also aware of the space he now occupies — as a pioneer, and perhaps more importantly, as a role model in the UAE. The messages come in weekly, sometimes daily — from Emirati kids, Arab expats, and aspiring golfers of all backgrounds. He sees it as both a responsibility and a reward. 'It makes me proud. It reminds me that this is bigger than me,' he says. 'And it tells me I'm doing the right things.' There's a phrase he repeats often, one that sums up the balance he's trying to strike: 'It's good to be a killer on the golf course — and a good human being on the outside.' That balance — fierce competitor meets grounded person — is what's guiding him now. Not just toward trophies, but toward a lasting legacy for golf in the UAE.
