“I played in Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and Nomura Cup for India earlier but when I tee off in the Asian Games, it will be different feeling for me and the whole family,” said the 18-year-old, Dubai-domiciled MENA Tour player who will represent India in the team and individual championships at Jakarta’s Pondok Indah G.C.

RELATED: Thomas thrilled by India call-up for 18th Asian Games

Now, UAE interest in the continent’s largest, Commonwealth Games style multi-sport event has been tripled with Mohamed Adel Al Hajeri and Reema Al Heloo confirmed to represent the country at the Aug. 23-26 tournament.

Al Hajeri, 17, and 16-year-old Al Heloo will contest the respective men’s and women’s individual strokeplay events over 72 holes.

The young Emirati duo ramped up their preparation four months ago and joined the wider UAE squad at a two week summer camp in Germany last month where physical fitness and mental preparation were the focus.

“We feel that our players are ready to compete and represent the UAE at the best of their ability,” said Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General and National Team Manager, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.

“Representing the UAE at the Asian Games will be a great honour and achievement for Reema and Mohamed. The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) is proud of the hard work and determination that they have put into their preparation.”

The post Young Emirati duo to represent UAE at 2018 Asian Games appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 18-year-old Dubai Creek amateur is one of 14 invitees to the $350,000 TAKE Solutions Masters in Bangalore, India. It follows his Asian Tour bow at last year’s HERO Indian Open (co-sanctioned by the European Tour) and is just the ticket as he counts down to the Asian Games golf tournament, a 72-hole individual and teams strokeplay event at Pondok Indah Golf Club in Jakarta from August 23-26.

RELATED: Thomas thrilled by India call-up for 18th Asian Games

“A friend told me about the TAKE Solution Masters, a lot has been said about the event, so I got the contact of one of the guys at TAKE Solutions, sent them an email, asked them for an invite and that’s how I got it,” said the MENA Tour star who missed the cut at the Indian Open following rounds of 78-75 in March 2017.

“I think it will be great prep for the Asian Games, good to get some competition under my belt before I head over there [Jakarta].”

Thomas has played this week’s venue, the Karnataka Golf Association Golf Course, before and rates it as “one of the best in Indian”. Still, he’s  been forced to reacquaint himself with the Bangalore layout’s subtleties.

“I played it four years ago though so I don’t really remember it. It was different playing it today,” Thomas said after his Monday practice round. “It’s in great shape, the rough is up and the course is playing amazing.

“The aims and expectations are as usual, just try and have fun, play as well as I can. I’m just looking forward to competing again.”

Thomas will divert to Deli after this week for a four-day camp with his Indian team-mates before arriving in Jakarta on Aug. 17.

India has won three individual medals at previous Asian Games and Thomas, who has verbally committed to play collegiate golf for Rickie Fowler’s former Oklahoma State University Cowboys from 2019 till 2023, would like to be the fourth.

“I think we’re already in good shape so I wouldn’t be surprised if we do well that week… and this week,” he said.

Thomas is also set to represent India at the Eisenhower Trophy (World Amateur Teams Championship) at Carton House near Dublin from Sept. 5-8 before returning to the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Sentosa G.C.in Singapore from Oct. 3-7. He finished T-35 at last year’s Asia Pacific in New Zealand.

The post Thomas preps for 18th Asian Games with second Asian Tour start in Bangalore appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 18-year-old MENA Tour trailblazer has been selected to spearhead India’s four-man team at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in August and the world amateur No.17 is clearly humbled by the call-up for what is the continent’s answer to the two-week long, multi-sport Commonwealth Games.

“As an amateur golfer, it is my dream to represent India at the international level and competing in the Asian Games and wearing the Indian blazer means a lot,” the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club member told the Indian Express. “I played in Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and Nomura Cup for India earlier but when I tee off in the Asian Games, it will be different feeling for me and the whole family.”

Thomas’ father John put the call-up into further perspective by reflecting on the sacrifices the Dubai-based family have made to help their son become one of the best amateur golfers on the planet.

“To see him at the Asian Games opening ceremony will be the biggest reward for us.”

Rayhan Thomas in action at the 2017 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Wellington G.C. in New Zealand. Photo Jamie Troughton.

The Asian Games golf tournament, a 72-hole individual and teams strokeplay event to be played at Pondok Indah Golf Club in Jakarta from August 23-26, plugs a gap in a busy summer schedule for Thomas.

He’ll tee it up in the St Andrews Links Trophy on the New and Old Courses from June 8-10 – Justin Rose won the title in 1997 – before contesting the 123rd Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links from June 18-23. Thomas cruelly missed the cut for the matchplay phase of the British amateur by a stroke last year but it did spur him to a historic semifinal showing at the 70th U.S. Junior Amateur.

He’ll have a tilt at the 71st edition of the U.S. Junior Amateur at Baltusrol G.C. in Springfield, New Jersey (July 16-23) before looking to avenge his missed cut (by five strokes) at the prestigious 116th Western Amateur at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, Illinois from July 31-Aug. 4.

After the Asian Games, Thomas is set to represent India again at the Eisenhower Trophy (World Amateur Teams Championship) at Carton House near Dublin from Sept. 5-8 before returning to the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Sentosa G.C.in Singapore from Oct. 3-7. Thomas finished T-35 at last year’s Asia Pacific in New Zealand.

India has won three individual medals at previous Asian Games and Thomas, who has verbally committed to play collegiate golf for Rickie Fowler’s former Oklahoma State University Cowboys from 2019 till 2023, would like to be the fourth.

“I know I will not turn professional before that [finishing school in the U.S. in 2023]. So winning a medal in Indonesia will be more than winning a professional tour title. I am very excited about this opportunity.”

The post Thomas thrilled by India call-up for 18th Asian Games appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.