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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
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Galeppini storms to commanding Junior Open victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates
Emanuele Galeppini of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club clinched the 2025 Jumeirah Golf Estates Junior Open in style, firing a five-under-par 67 on the Fire course to claim a commanding three-shot victory. The talented junior set the tone early with a blistering front nine, racking up five birdies en route to a 32 at the turn. He kept his composure on the back nine, adding a one-under 35 to close out a composed and clinical round. 'I'd like to thank the entire team here at Jumeirah Golf Estates,' said Galeppini at the prize ceremony. 'The Fire course was in fantastic condition, and I've had an amazing day thanks to all the hard work that went into this event.' The 18-hole strokeplay tournament drew 72 competitors across various divisions, including Gross and Net categories (Divisions A and B), as well as separate boys' and girls' sections. In the Boys Division A (Gross), it was a nail-biting three-way tie, with Aayan Dadabhoy, Wenji Li, and Alexander Rushika all carding two-under-par 70s. A countback was required to determine the winner, with Dadabhoy edging out Li and Rushika. Sophia Zbiri cruised to victory in the Girls Division A, posting a four-shot win with a solid round of 74. Another countback was needed to settle second and third places, as Paris Calik edged Sanjana Sharma after both shot 78. In the Boys Division B (Net), Thomas Wylie delivered the performance of the day with a remarkable 10-under-par 62, finishing six shots ahead of Damien Lee (68), with Rex Jolley a further stroke back on 69. Leia McCallum took top honours in the Girls Division B (Net), carding a two-under-par 70 to finish four ahead of runner-up Ela Camurlu (76). Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, praised the event: 'We had a fantastic turnout of 72 juniors, and the level of golf on display was outstanding. Congratulations to all the winners—and to every player who competed.' 2025 Jumeirah Junior Open - Key Results (Par 72) Overall Champion Emanuele Galeppini – 67 Boys Division A – Gross Aayan Dadabhoy – 70 (countback) Wenji Li – 70 (countback) Alexander Rushika – 70 (countback) Girls Division A – Gross Sophia Zbiri – 74 Paris Calik – 78 (countback) Sanjana Sharma – 78 (countback) Boys Division B – Net Thomas Wylie – 62 Damien Lee – 68 Rex Jolley – 69 Girls Division B – Net Leia McCallum – 70 Ela Camurlu – 76
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Gulati secures victory at Faldo Series. as Mateiu triumphs in thrilling girl's title showdow
Raghav Gulati made it a day to remember with a sensational final round of 65, propelling him to victory at the 2025 Faldo Series at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. With earlier rounds of 70 and 66, the 17-year-old from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club finished with a total of 201, nine under par, earning a three-shot victory over second-round leader Rayan Ahmed. But the story was far from simple. The drama reached its peak on the 54th tee as Gulati and Ahmed stood tied at eight under par, both in the final group. It was there, on the last hole, that a crucial birdie from Gulati and a double-bogey from Ahmed—who dramatically hooked his drive out of bounds—sealed the deal. Gulati, who has been honing his game under the guidance of Stephen Deane at Dubai Golf, revealed how critical his mental strength was to his success: "After 45 holes, Ahmed and I were very close. I had to stay mentally strong, especially after a rocky start in the first two rounds. But today, I shot a back nine of 31, with four birdies in a row—it was hugely satisfying." Gulati is aiming for bigger things ahead, looking to break into the Top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and secure an exemption for the 2025 US Junior Amateur Championship. For now, though, Gulati is shifting gears—'I have to go into exam mode,' he said, showing his balance of academic and athletic discipline. His victory also guarantees him a spot in the Faldo Series Grand Final, which will be held later this year at Al Ain, making the win even more rewarding as he prepares for the next level of competition. In the Girls' Division, it was a tightly contested race between Anca Mateiu from the Emirates Golf Club and Anayaa Sood from The Els Club, Dubai. With rounds of 69, 69, and 66, Mateiu triumphed with a six-under-par total, narrowly edging Sood by a single shot. Both players have proven themselves to be top-tier talents in UAE golf, and their friendly rivalry is one to watch as they continue to push each other to greater heights. With eight players finishing under par over the three rounds, the Faldo Series has once again highlighted the rising stars of the UAE golfing scene. Gulati and Mateiu are certainly names to watch as they continue to shine on the global stage. Final Results: R. Gulati (Dubai Creek) - 70, 66, 65 - 201 A. Mateiu (EGF) - 69, 69, 66 - 204 R. Ahmed (EGF) - 68, 66, 70 - 204 A. Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) - 70, 69, 66 - 205 L. Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) - 68, 69, 68 - 205
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Rayan Ahmed leads the charge after sensational 66 at Faldo Series in Al Ain
Rayan Ahmed (EGF) put on a commanding display in Round 2 of the Faldo Series, carding a brilliant four-under-par 66 to surge into the lead with a two-shot advantage heading into the decisive final round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. Backing up his opening-round 68, Ahmed now sits at six under par (134) after 36 holes, two shots clear of Raghav Gulati (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) in this fiercely contested 54-hole tournament. Sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation and recognized as a WAGR qualifier, the Faldo Series continues to showcase the region's rising golf talents. The tournament, known for its inclusive format featuring both boys and girls, is supported by The R&A and reflects the growing global reach of junior golf. As the leaderboard tightens, Lukas Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) lurks just one shot further back at 137, while the Girl's Division is equally poised for a thrilling finale. Anca Mateiu (EGF), representing Emirates Golf Club, holds a narrow advantage at two under par, with Ananyaa Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) trailing by a single stroke after both players carded impressive second-round 69s. Reflecting on his round, Ahmed expressed both confidence and excitement: 'I played alongside Raghav and Lukas today, and we had a great time—at least I did! Taking a two-shot lead into the final round is a fantastic position to be in, and we'll be playing together again tomorrow.' His driving, he admitted, was near perfection: 'It felt like my ball was on a string—I never say things like that, but today was special. I've managed to stay out of the waste areas, keeping myself in scoring positions. That's where rounds can be won or lost. I had two bogeys and six birdies today, and while I missed a few putts, I can't complain.' Looking ahead to the final round, Ahmed's strategy remains aggressive: 'My mindset won't change—stay aggressive, take it one shot at a time, and stay in the moment. Walking the course without caddies really helps keep us focused.' The tournament's decisive round takes place tomorrow (Thursday), concluding with the Prize Presentation across all divisions: Round Two Scores (Par 70): R. Ahmed (EGF) – 68, 66 (134) R. Gulati (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) – 70, 66 (136) L. Astrom (Jumeirah Golf Estates) – 68, 69 (137) A. Mateiu (EGF) – 69, 69 (138) A. Sood (The Els Club, Dubai) – 70, 69 (139)
