The 24th showdown between the top 16 Amateurs and Professionals consisted of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation events across the UAE, plus four wildcard picks.

The Amateurs were cruising on Sunday, 10-6, and got over the line on Monday to wrest back the title they lost at Emirates Golf Club last year.

It was a more comfortable victory for the Ams as it was only a one-point margin last time around for the Pros, with the amateurs claiming nine of 16 singles to seal the deal.

The biggest win of the day was for Matt Brookes, who saw off Dan Byrne 7&6, before Jules Lompech halved with David Guinee to claim the trophy.

The post Pros feel the pain as Amateurs claim Dubai Golf Trophy appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Dubai Golf Trophy will see the top 16 UAE professionals go up against the elite amateurs in a two-day Ryder Cup-style format. Originally launched by Dubai Golf, the event is rotated across five Dubai Golf courses — Faldo and Majlis at Emirates Golf Club, Earth and Fire at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and the Championship Course at Dubai Creek, for a fiercely competitive showcase of tournament golf.

Each team consists of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) events across the UAE. In addition, the team captains welcome four ‘wildcard’ picks, and two ladies on both sides. Jack Woods will lead the Professional team and David Guinee will captain the Amateur team.

A highlight of the golfing season, the 2023 event will see the Professionals defend their 2022 win against the Amateurs, their first since 2016 after a 16.5-15.5 victory during the final day at Emirates Golf Club. A continued feature within the 2023 Dubai Golf Trophy will also include the Ladies Challenge Match of the same format between two Professionals and two Amateur ladies.

The Pros celebrate winning the Dubai Golf Trophy last year. Supplied

Woods said: “I is a real honour to captain the Professional team in the Dubai Golf Trophy. The event is the pinnacle of our season and with the event moved back to October this year, the build-up has been even better than normal. After finally ending the Amateurs winning streak last year, we know they will be desperate to regain the trophy and we will have to be at our best to retain the win. As always, it will be an amazing couple of days no matter the outcome.”

Amateur skipper Guinee added: “We had a tough year last year, losing out by one point, and we will be aiming to win it back this year. We have a great mix of experience and youth in the team this year and I believe we can give the Pros a great challenge. It is always the best weekend of our tournament season and I anticipate this year will be no different. But, hopefully, with a different outcome to last year.”

Chris May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf, said: “The Dubai Golf Trophy was founded on the principle of raising the profile of golf in the region and bringing both amateur and professional golfers from clubs all over the UAE together in a competitive and enjoyable format. The tournament provides a focus for players to aim for throughout the qualifying events counting towards EGF and UAE PGA Order of Merits during the season and culminating in a season-ending spectacle on two of the finest courses in the region – especially exciting this tournament as we host the event during the 2023 Ryder Cup weekend. Best of luck to both teams!”

The two-day event will be played on Earth Course on October 1 for morning foursomes and afternoon fourball matches and will conclude with the singles matches on Monday October 2 on the Championship Course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Teams

Professionals
Non-playing Captain: Jack Woods
Louis Gaughan
Stuart Smith
Sujjan Singh
Graham Forbes
Matt Rice
Tom Ogilvie
Jules Lompech
David Gray
Michael Major
Sam Mclaren
Steven Munro
Purna Sharma
Phil Waine
Mike Bolt
Matt Brookes
Tom Hansen
Olivia Jackson
Lea Pouillard

Amateur Team
Captain: David Guinee
Sam Mullane
Jay Mullane
Steven Kelbrick
Dominic Morton
Rami Samawi
Viktor Kofod-Olsen
Thomas Nesbitt
Dan Byrne
Johnathan Selvaraj
Jake Wiltshire
Dan Kirkwood
Sam Mullane
Craig Vance
Max Burrow
Simon Dunn
Jamie Camero
Aoife Kelly

Main image: Matt Smith/Motivate Media Group

The post The pros are ready to retain 2023 Dubai Golf Trophy appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

“That’s what I am talking about,” she said with a huge grin after becoming the first-ever female to contend in the Ryder Cup-style event last month.

The two-day event at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and EGC saw the 16 top amateurs take on the leading pros, with Jackson contributing to the latter’s points total in a nail-biting finale that came down to the last putt. 

Stepping away from the celebrations, England’s Jackson spoke to Golf Digest Middle East to reflect on her landmark achievement and also stress the importance of mixed events such at the Dubai Golf Trophy in helping female golfers share an equal spotlight with their male counterparts.

Jackson is thrilled to see more and more mixed events such as the recent back-to-back Trust Golf events co-sanctioned between the Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour, where male and female players contend for the same trophy and prize money.

Alongside this is the expanded Aramco Team Series, which is now up to five events a season — with a new venue and bigger purses — where female golfers compete in an innovative simultaneous team and individual competition format. Jackson believes that the changes are slowly being put in place to help the female golfers, and it is not before time.

The ATS introduced four $1million tournaments to the LET last year, with some of the biggest names in golf contending and attracting millions of new viewers around the globe.

Now Bangkok has joined the party and teed off the 2022 series. It was a roaring success, with local heroes star Patty Tavatanakit, world No. 14, former world No. 1 and two-time major winner Ariya Jutanugarn and sister Moriya competing alongside some of the biggest global stars. 

“The likes of the Aramco Series is great as it gives us more exposure,” Jackson told Golf Digest Middle East. “We go into these new, innovative competitions to push the game forward and help inspire the next batch of hopefuls. Sometimes they are put in the shade as the male game is on TV all the time, but these events show we can compete and entertain just as well, if not more so. 

Jackson also points to the Trust Golf events in Thailand.

“We also have so many mixed events these days to show we really can mix it with the boys, just like the Dubai Golf Trophy, where I qualified on merit. The LET and Asian Tour just had two recent mixed events with male and female players going for the same trophy and I see that as the way forward to inspire the next generation of kids, both girls and boys.

“One hundred per cent we need more of these. It is becoming more equal and we just need more. It would be lovely to, say, get a mixed DP World Tour and LET event. We have all the facilities right here in Dubai and it would be a great piece of entertainment.”

While there are hopes for the future, Jackson herself knows she is playing her part for change.

“I was really excited to play in the Dubai Golf Trophy as I play with the boys almost all the time and so to me mixed golf is commonplace,” she said. “We just need to see more events — big and small — give female golfers of all abilities the chance to compete and give them the opportunity to take their game to the next level.

“The LET is proving it wants to lead the way to give players different experiences and increase popularity, both among players and viewers. 

“Showing the young girls I coach, showing I can play against the boys and win against them will hopefully give them a little fire, a little drive, to show them what they themselves can do.”

With the summer upon us, Jackson is looking to play a few tournaments back home in England, and she is aiming for the mixed events to prove that she can continue to hold her own. 

“While the LET is doing its part, we need to see mixed golf at all levels,” she said. “I will compete in some mixed events in the 2020 Pro Golf Tour, which is great to see. Everyone has so much to learn from each other and the only way to improve is to play against the best and most varied opponents that you can. Events like these 2020 Pro Tour ones in Yorkshire, and then more events all around England this summer will help provide the female golfers with more and more opportunities. 

“In the past, women have not been allowed to play in certain tournaments, and I think I have played my part in helping to change that by qualifying to play in the Dubai Golf Trophy in my own right in the Order of Merit. 

“I do not really see much gender difference when we are out there, these guys are all my friends first. And I know I can beat any of them on my day. 

“This is another step on the journey. I just wanted to get the points and help the team. I was just another match against another player. For me, the girls need to play against the boys without a glass ceiling or any patronising and that is the way it needs to be. We are all equals. 

“The amateurs all need the same treatment. They are so many impressive amateurs and they can pit it easily against these guys. Easily. We just need more combined events for them to prove themselves. Emphasis and investment will help this journey but we still have some way to go.”

The post Mixed and team events are helping take the women’s game out of the shadows, slowly but surely, says Olivia Jackson appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Every year, just as the heat rises to remind us all that another summer of sweat is on the way, the finest golfers in the UAE gather for one of the most popular events on the calendar — the Dubai Golf Trophy.

Now in its 23rd year, the event sees the top 16 amateurs in the UAE and the finest professionals battle it out for the bragging rights in this Ryder Cup-style event. And 2022 carried more weight than usual as the ‘Ams’ were going for an unprecedented seventh consecutive triumph over the ‘Pros’.

Fans hoping for another gripping encounter — this tournament has served up many classic clashes over the years — were not disappointed as Mike Major’s Pros finally stopped the rot to reclaim the coveted prize from their rivals after six long years. 

Played over two days at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (Sunday) and Emirates Golf Club (Monday) in Dubai, the competition closely follows the format of the Ryder Cup, with Day 1 seeing eight foursomes and eight fourballs matches, before 16 individual clashes on Day 2.

Chris May, CEO of organisers Dubai Golf, was on hand to watch the spectacle unfold. “It is such a privilege to host this great event that is steeped in UAE golf history,” he told Golf Digest Middle East. “It raises the game and the standards of golf for the UAE. We are delighted to be involved in such an occasion.

“There used to be such a gap between the pros and the amateurs, but we have really seen that gap close up due to the competition and the quality of facilities and academies on offer in the UAE. In recent years we have seen a few kids come through like Josh Hill, Toby Bishop, Ahmad Skaik and Khalid Yousuf. You see this flurry of quality come through as they push each other. But they seem to be coming along more frequently after the likes of Rayhan Thomas, who has done very well and is now in the States. The others take inspiration from that, saying: ‘If he can do it, or she can do it, I can do it to.’

“The Dubai Golf Trophy really plays a key role in this as we get everyone together and they can really see how they compare, regardless of upbringing, race or even club. It is a really meaningful team format, and reflects how far the amateur game has come.”

While the pros held the advantage after the action at Dubai Creek — with the most slender of leads at 8.5-7.5 — they held their nerve when it looked like they might throw it all away.

Khalid Yousuf’s amateur team were so quick out of the blocks on Day 2 at EGC and had their noses in front when Yash Majmudar and Hugo Garcia thumped Michael Bolt and Steven Munro 6&4 and 4&3 respectively.

The other two early matches between Sujjan Singh and Max Burrow, and Jackson Bell and Craig Vance were halved, and the amateurs were scenting another victory.

But then came the blue wave of Pro scores as Graham Forbes thrashed Jay Mullane 4&2, Tom Buchanan denied Yousuf 2&1 and Thomas Ogilvie chalked up a 3&1 win over Ali Parlane.

History-making Olivia Jackson showed her mettle as the first ever female to play in the event as she saw out a see-saw battle against Sam Mullane to snatch a vital half-point.

“To see Olivia come through to become the first female to compete at this tournament is wonderful,” added May. “It is great for us all as she is our pro here at EGC, but she is such a great role model and inspiration for the next generation of boys and girls.

“She can definitely hold her own against the boys and I think she is going to play more competitively this summer in tournaments back in England, so she is only going to get better.”

Back out on the course, just when it was looking all rosy on the blue side for the Pros, the red army charged back as amateurs Toby Bishop (3&2) and David Guinee (2up) saw off Nathan Kernaghan and Jack Woods respectively.

Loius Gaughan (4&2 v Raghav Gulati) got the pros back on track, but wins for Tom Nesbitt (4&2 v Sam McLaren), and Jonathan Selvaraj (4&3 v Luke Plumb) meant that the two-day epic came down to the last game and the last green.

Barry Pavic held a one-hole advantage with three to play, which would have meant a 16-16 tie and the amateurs retaining the trophy as defending champions. But up stepped Purna Sharma for the professionals, winning on 16 before halving the last.

That triggered a wave of celebrations from the Pros, and the Ams graciously accepted defeat 16.5-15.5 in one of the closest ever Dubai Golf Trophy clashes. Amid a sea of buggies, Sharma was embraced by his teammates before going on to lift the trophy.

“That was the hardest two-putt in my life,” Sharma told Golf Digest Middle East just after coming off the final green. “I can’t believe I held my nerve there.”

It was quite the celebration to end a dramatic day. Major, the non-playing Pro captain reflected on a tumultuous weekend, having been on the receiving end for the past six years as a player.

“I guess we can take a hint. I don’t play and we finally win,” he joked, an ACL operation taking him out of this year’s playing capabilities. “But every player was tremendous today and every single one of them contributed points over the two days. For it to be so close shows you the quality on both sides of the ‘divide’. The Ams were brilliant but we managed to find that little bit more when needed … at long last. I must thank Dubai Golf for putting on such a great event, with both the Creek and the Majlis in impeccable conditions. It has been a long, long journey to get here this weekend and we are so glad to win.”

Losing captain Yousuf was gracious in defeat. “They were tremendous,” he said. “We thought we had a chance there at the end but they held on. It was a great two days but sadly we have to give up the trophy after six great years. We will regroup. There is a whole new batch of youngsters coming through and we will see who will make the grade. We are losing a few guys like Josh Hill, Toby Bishop, Yash and (non-playing UAE No.1 amateur) Ahmad Skaik. But as we have proved time and again, there are always more and more players coming through and, each year, the quality gets better and better. Congrats to the Pros, it has been a long time for them.”

So now, the rebuilding process starts all over again, with new faces emerging and older ones bidding farewell ahead of 2023. Will the Pros or the Ams prevail? The Pros’ Buchanan perhaps explains it best. “It has been a long time coming,” he said. “It is always nice to play here and it was great to put on quite a show. Who knows who will win next time around, but this is the best weekend in UAE golf, bar none.”

What they said

Olivia Jackson, Pros
“They will be hurting having lost. Last year I was around the team even though I was not playing. We did not want to go out after the defeat. We just wanted to go home and I think they will be feeling the same. But we will all be friends again tomorrow and they will regroup as it was such a close thing.”

Toby Bishop, Ams
“It was unfortunate to get the loss, but everyone tried their best. Obviously the pros got the win but it was a fun weekend and that was the main part.”

Tom Buchanan, Pros
“The team spirit was fantastic out there and every player contributed to our points, showing how we were pulling for each other. The crowd at the last and the buggies everywhere shows you just what this means. A fantastic day once again.”

Khalid Yousuf, Ams captain
“I have been part of this event for so long. It was nice to finally captain the team. We tried our best. We came up slightly short but it was nice that it came right down to the last match and the last shot. Shows you what it meant to everyone involved.”

Mike Major, Pros non-playing captain
“It was great until the final hour. That was a horrible time as I was not playing so I couldn’t do anything about what was going on. It has been six years to get here and it is much down to the guys who didn’t play today, pushing up the standards, that has helped us finally win.” 

Yash Majmudar, Ams
“It was a great event, we were behind from the get-go yesterday, but each session was so close and a few things didn’t go our way — a few putts here and there. But I am really proud of how we performed.”

More
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
The best weekend in UAE Golf
Olivia Jackson makes a little bit of history
Your players to watch at the LIV Golf opener in London
All you need to know for the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener
Dustin Johnson to headline LIV Golf field in London
Stellar line-up set for Newcastle
The Gulf Club: The latest golf news from around the UAE

The post Home is where the heart is: Looking back at the dramatic Dubai Golf Trophy with captains and players appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The heat is rising in the UAE as the action heats up across Europe and the United States.

Our latest edition of Golf Digest Middle East reflects on Justin Thomas’ triumph at the PGA Masters, while looking ahead to the US Open at Brookline, and focusing on the mulleted star Cameron Smith, who has made it to the top in his own way.

There is also the small matter of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, as Greg Norman’s money-spinning brainchild tees off at Centurion Club near London in England.

Closer to home, we had one of the most dramatic Dubai Golf Trophy tournaments in its 23-year history, and we chart the journey of Amelia McKee, from youngster in a strange land in Dubai to turning professional.

Emirates Golf Club’s Olivia Jackson discusses the need for more mixed and team events to boost the ladies’ game, while we have a solution for all your putting and chipping woes.

All this and much more in the June 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get the June 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Toby Bishop is taking a break from golf — but only until his final-year exams are out of the way, as bigger things beckon in the United States. Dubai-bred Welshman Bishop, 18, is studying hard as the dreaded exams loom, but it will be worth the grind as a golf scholarship at the university of Florida awaits after the summer.

“The clubs will be put away for a while now and it is time to hit the books,” Bishop told Golf Digest Middle East on the sidelines of the recent Dubai Golf Trophy at Emirates Golf Club.

“There will probably be more stress than when playing golf actually with all my exams, but once they are done it will be worth it as there are some exciting times ahead.”

Bishop has already been out on a trip to the US to see the set-up at the university he will call home for the next four years.

“I am really excited at the opportunities they have there in Florida,” he said. “They give you every opportunity to make it as a pro on the PGA tour. I went out there on my visit and had a week to see the place and meet the guys. It will be bit difficult to visualise properly until I get there but they are all really good guys to learn from and I need to make the most of the chances I have been offered.”

Fellow Dubai amateur Josh Hill is also heading to the States this summer, and Toby is sure they will stay in touch.

“For sure. We are in the same comp zone so I am sure we will play in a few comps together and compare notes,” he joked.

Bishop also reflected on the landmark moment as two of Dubai’s own step out on the next part of their journey in golf.

“It really highlights the facilities and chances we have here in Dubai,” he said. “I always reflect on how small this country is and to see so many players coming through, firstly with Khalid Yousuf and Ahmad Skaik, and now me and Josh. Hopefully it brings more attention and development to the region and obviously we are proud of what we have done and proud to represent, having grown up here, and fly the UAE flag.

“Hopefully in a couple of years I could get an invite to play in one of the big DP World Tour events and come back here to contend if I play well.

“My parents always joke that I am their mortgage so it will be good to come back and pay them back. But they always support me and I am pretty grateful to have that support as it means I know I have their full backing.”

You might also like:
Stellar field for landmark Asian Tour event in England
Dubai Creek wins at BTME Awards
Team Hilier triumph at Aramco Team Series — Bangkok
Rookie Onishi moves to front at Asian Pacific
Dubai golfer Amelia McKee going pro
eGolf changing the game in the UAE
New twist in LIV Golf tale
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale

The post Dubai golfer Toby Bishop swaps clubs for books as exams loom ahead of move to US on scholarship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Emirates Golf Club witnessed one of the closest, most dramatic days in UAE golf history on Monday as the ‘Pros’ defeated the ‘Ams’ to reclaim the Dubai Golf Trophy.

The competition is one of the biggest events on the UAE golf calendar and this year it lived up to its reputation as history was made left, right and centre.

Now in its 23^rd year, the Dubai Golf Trophy pits the UAE’s top 16 professional players against the top 16 amateurs in the region. Each team consists of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation events across the UAE. Both team captains then took their additional four ‘wildcard’ picks.

The event, which closely follows the Ryder Cup format, saw two teams of 16 battle it out in the team matches at Dubai Creek on Sunday and then 16 matchplay singles on the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club on Monday.

And it was an epic.

MORE
Relive all the live action here

While the pros held the advantage after Day 1, with the most slender of leads at 8.5-7.5, they held their nerve when it looked like they might throw it all away and give the Ams the bragging rights and the Trophy.

Khalid Yousuf’s amateur team were so quick out of the blocks on Monday and had their noses in front when Yash Majmudar and Hugo Garcia thumped Michael Bolt and Steven Munro 6&4 and 4&3 respectively.

The other two early matches between Sujjan Singh and Max Burrow, and Jackson Bell and Craig Vance were halved, and the amateurs were scenting another victory.

But then came the blue wave of pro scores as Graham Forbes thrashed Jay Mullane 4&2, Tom Buchanan denied Yousuf 2&1 and Thomas Ogilvie chalked up a 3&1 win over Ali Parlane.

History-making Olivia Jackson showed her steel as the first ever female to play in the event as she saw out a see-saw battle against Sam Mullane to snatch a vital half-point.

While it looked all rosy on the blue side for the pros, the red army charged back as amateurs Toby Bishop (3&2) and David Guinee (2up) saw off Nathan Kernaghan and Jack Woods respectively.

Loius Gaughan (4&2 v Raghav Gulati) got the pros back on course, but wins for Tom Nesbitt (4&2 v Sam McLaren), and Jonathan Selvaraj (4&3 v Luke Plumb) meant that the two-day epic came down to the last game and the last green.

Barry Pavic held a one-hole advantage with three to play, which would have meant a 16-16 tie and the amateurs retaining the trophy as defending champions. But up stepped Purna Sharma for the professionals, winning on 17 before halving the last.

That triggered a wave of celebrations from the Pros, and the Ams graciously accepted defeat 16.5-15.5 in one of the closest ever Dubai Golf Trophy clashes. Amid a sea of buggies, Sharma was embraced by his teammates before going on to lift the trophy.

“That was the hardest two-putt in my life,” Sharma told Golf Digest Middle East just after coming off the final green. “I can’t believe I held my nerve there.”

Chris May, CEO of organisers Dubai Golf, was on hand to watch the spectacle unfold. “It is such a privilege to host this great event that is steeped in UAE golf history. It raises the game and the standards of golf for the UAE, not just for the professional arena but across the globe for every aspiring golfer. We are delighted to be involved in such an occasion.”

It was quite the celebration to end a dramatic day. Mike Major, the non-playing pro captain reflected on a tumultuous weekend, having been on the receiving end for the past six years as a player.

“I guess we can take a hint. I don’t play and we finally win,” he joked, an ACL operation taking him out of this year’s playing capabilities. “But every player was tremendous today and every single one of them contributed points over the two days. For it to be so close shows you the quality on both sides of the ‘divide’. The Ams were brilliant but we managed to find that little bit more when needed … at long last. I must thank Dubai Golf for putting on such a great event, with both the Creek and the Majlis in impeccable conditions. It has been a long, long journey to get here this weekend and we are so glad to win.”

History-making Jackson added: “It is an honour to become the first female to play in this event as it gives us the recognition we deserve. But I really do not see the gender difference as these guys are all my colleagues and friends. I play with them every week and this just reflects how we should have more mixed events and prove we are all equals.”

Losing captain Yousuf was magnanimous, even if it was with a wry smile. “They were tremendous,” he said. “We thought we had a chance there at the end but they held on. It was a great two days but sadly we have to give up the trophy after six great years. We will regroup. There is a whole new batch of youngsters coming through and we will see who will make the grade. We are losing a few guys like Josh Hill, Toby Bishop, Yash and (non-playing UAE No.1 amateur) Ahmad Skaik. But as we have proved time and again, there are always more and more players coming through and, each year, the quality gets better and better. Congrats to the pros, it has been a long time for them.”

So now, the rebuilding begins once again before the 2023 showdown. Will the Pros or the Ams prevail? The Pros’ self-nominated spokesman Buchanan puts it best: “Who knows but this is the best weekend in UAE golf, bar none.”

More
Game on for Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
LIV Golf: Bland’s British Masters title defence takes a twist
Dubai Golf Trophy is back!
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale
Greg Norman rejected by R&A for Open Championship
Report: First PGA Tour player request to play LIV Golf events

The post ‘The best weekend in UAE golf’: Reflections on the Dubai Golf Trophy drama at Emirates Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
The latest from the Dubai Golf Trophy

Welcome

The Dubai Golf Trophy destination day is upon us and it is the pro team that has the slight advantage as the singles matches get under way.

Now in its 23^rd year, the Dubai Golf Trophy pits the UAE’s top 16 professional players against the top 16 amateurs in the region. Each team consists of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation events across the UAE. Both team captains have an additional four ‘wildcard’ picks, and two ladies are selected to compete in the Dubai Golf Trophy Ladies Challenge Match to complete both sides.

The event is one of the highlights of the UAE golf calendar and closely follows the Ryder Cup format, where Europe’s finest take on the formidable talent of the United States. Just like the famous transatlantic clash, the Dubai Golf Trophy once again sees two teams of 16 battle it out in the team matches and then 16 matchplay singles.

The pros took a slender 8.5-7.5 lead into Day 2 at the Majlis Course after the first day of action at Dubai Creek.

Follow all the action and updates right here with Golf Digest Middle East.

11.38am
You can get the full lowdown on Day 1 right here, when the pros gained the upper-hand.

11.43am
The singles matches are now under way. Here is a quick glance at the match-ups:

11.55am
So the guys are all either out on course or polishing off a late breakfast before the slog ahead. From the early starters, it is all level-pegging so far. That will be changing very soon.

12.01pm
Amateur captain Khalid Yousuf is out on course now and he told Golf Digest: “WE will be looking to keep uo our recent domination. It is a great feeling for the amateurs to get one over the pros and we are aiming for seven in a row.”
They will need to make up that crucial extra point though if they are to keep up their run.

12.10pm
There is a little emotion on the sidelines of the competition today as a few boys are saying farewell. Toby Bishop is off to start his exams after this event (get studying!), while the non-playing Josh Hill will be joining him in the States after the summer after both boys landed golfing university scholarships.

12.25pm
The UAE’s very own Ahmad Skaik is here to cheer on the amateurs. He would have been playing today himself, but it was graduation day yesterday after four years of hard study at AUD. He is at the opposite end of the university journey to young Toby and Josh and professional golf now beckons. Keep an eye on Golf Digest Middle East for more on that later this month.

12.30pm
We are starting to see some colour on the leaderboard and it is all red so far for the amateur team (pros are in blue). Max Burrow has the advantage over The Els Club’s Sujjan Singh (2up), while Michael Bolt is also two down on amateur rival Yash Majmudar.

12.45pm
The red wave continues, with the amateurs up in seven matches, with only two blue stripes on the board. Singh is all-square again with Burrow but Majmudar, Hugo Garcia, Craig Vance, captain Yousuf, Ali Parlane, Bishop and David Guinee have the defending champions in the ascendancy. Graham Forbes and Olivia Jackson are the pros who have their noses in front.

12.55pm
Tom Nesbitt has also just gone in front against Sharjah’s Sam McLaren to put the amateurs up in eight of the matches. Looking good for them to retain the crown for a seventh time as it stands. The final two pairs are just teeing off, so plenty of action still to come.

1.01pm
More on the reason Skaik is not playing today… After his four years of studying, his mother insisted he attended graduation yesterday rather than tee up at the Creek. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime day and it was very important for my mum,” he said. “I could not let her down so we went to graduation instead. I hope the amateur boys do good and I will cheer them on today.”

1.10pm
Speaking of non-players, the pro captain Mike Major is looking on rather than competing like his counterpart Khalid and he is stationing himself near the ninth tee to keep abreast of the situation best he can. “It looks like the Ams have the slight advantage in the first couple of hours,” he told Golf Digest Middle East. “The weather conditions are not easy so anything can happen going into the back nine. It looks like it is going down to the wire.”

1.23pm
Khalid Yousuf just won the easiest of holes on the ninth to stop the rot after losing three on the bounce against Tom Buchanan. The Scotsman’s approach shot went right and, despite there being plenty of people around the area of the first tee, the ball was never to be seen again. It was a shame Khalid never got to hole out after firing in a belter to within a few feet. Still he was happy to pick it up with the hole won.

1.29pm
Back to the leaderboard and it was practically a ‘redwash’ until a few moments ago as the amateurs led in nine, with only Forbes flying the blue flag for the pros. However, as Major said, it can all change quickly and Jackson and Purna Sharma gained a bit of momentum to get ahead in their clashes with Sam Mullane and Barry Pavic respectively. The amateurs still lead in eight though!

Dubai Golf Trophy amateur captain Khalid Yousuf is all smiles after winning the ninth against Tom Buchanan. Matt Smith

1.37pm
That’s more like it from the pros as Jack Woods joins the blue parade, going 1up against David Guinee through 6.

1.47pm
A wee swing of the pendulum again as the pros are now up in five and pegging back the amateurs, who lead in six. remember that the pros have a point advantage coming in to today after winning the first day 8.5-7.5 at the Creek.

2.05pm
Thomas Ogilive, Ryan Smith and Oscar Yeomans are now all in blue as this event swings ever more in favour of the pros. They are now up in SEVEN! matches, with the amateurs holding up in only five.

2.10pm
We have our first results and it is all about the amateurs in the clubhouse. Majmudar thumped Michael Bolt 6&4 and Garcia was off the course early with a 4&3 victory over Steven Munro. That puts the amateurs ahead 9.5-8-5 , but there is a wave of blue still out on the course.

2.19pm
“It’s gonna be tight,” says Munro after his 4&3 loss to Garcia. While he was done a bit earlier than he liked, both he and Bolt still have a part to play as they will now head back out onto the course to cheer on their pro teammates, who are still up in seven of the remaining clashes.

3.05pm
Business time and the pros are biting back.

3.20pm
Just caught up with the man behind the whole show here today. “The DGT is something we are so proud of,” says Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf. “This will go to the wire but we love to host it here at EGC.”

3.25pm
Sooooo, as predicted the pros have snatched back the advantage, with Forbes, Buchanan and Ogilvie all picking up the wins, while Bishop claimed a point for the amateurs. With two ties also in the bag, that is 5-4 to the pros on the day so far for a two-point advantage overall.

3.33pm
The tension is palpable now as Jackson — the first female to play in this event — claws it back to tie her match against Sam Mullane. That shared point means the pros are looking good. Yeomans has also wrapped things up 3&2 against Dan Byrne to give the pros a three-point advantage with (by my reckoning) five points still on the table.

3.41pm
The good news for the amateurs is that they are up in three of the remaining matches. However, Louis Gaughan is 3up on Rajhav Gulati in the final pairing, and that could prove vital for the pros. The other tie is all-square between Woods and Guinee.

The pro team’s Olivia Jackson earned a half-point against Sam Mullane. Matt Smith

3.43pm
Amateur captain Yousuf is biting his nails. “It will be tight. If we can swing a couple of games we will have a real chance.”

3.46pm
And Gaughan seals it! 3&2 over Gulati gives the pros a four-point margin. Meaning the amateurs need to claim all remaining four matches

3.47pm
It really is all happening as Tom Nesbitt claws one back for the amateurs, with a 3&2 win over Sam McLaren. The champions are three points down with three points on offer. But Guinee wins it 2up over Woods!!! If the amateurs can hold on in their remaining matches, we have a tie!

3.50pm
Boom! Nesbitt and Selvaraj take two more points for the amateurs!!! As it stands the pros have a one-point advantage with only Purna Sharma and Barry Pavic out on the course… Pavic is 1up for the amateurs.

4.09pm
Nerves of steel!!! Purna Sharma is the hero as he levels up against Pavic on 17 before halving the last. Hugs all round as that half-point is enough for the pros to end six years of hurt and reclaim the trophy at long last!!

4.11pm
“I was shaking so much. That was the hardest two putt of my life,” said Sharma after walking off the 18th. “It is such a relief to win.”

4.17pm
So with that breath-taking, nerve-jangling finale, it all means the pros win 16.5-15.5. It was looking easy earlier but it came down to the final putt. Now the pros will go celebrate and I will leave our updates there.

More
Game on for Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
LIV Golf: Bland’s British Masters title defence takes a twist
Dubai Golf Trophy is back!
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale
Greg Norman rejected by R&A for Open Championship
Report: First PGA Tour player request to play LIV Golf events

The post Sensational: Pros defeat amateurs to claim Dubai Golf Trophy at Emirates Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In 2022, once again it is living up to expectations.

Now in its 23^rd year, the Dubai Golf Trophy pits the UAE’s top 16 professional players against the top 16 amateurs in the region. Each team consists of 12 automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation events across the UAE. Both team captains have an additional four ‘wildcard’ picks, and two ladies are selected to compete in the Dubai Golf Trophy Ladies Challenge Match to complete both sides.

The event is one of the highlights of the UAE golf calendar and closely follows the Ryder Cup format, where Europe’s finest take on the formidable talent of the United States. Just like the famous transatlantic clash, the Dubai Golf Trophy once again sees two teams of 16 battle it out in the team matches and then 16 matchplay singles.

The action began on Sunday at Dubai Creek with the morning foursomes and the pros held a slender lead by lunch, with opening pair Sujjan Singh and Michael Bolt getting the better of Toby Bishop and Jay Mullane to lead the charge on the way to a 4.5-3.5 advantage.

But it was all square when Hugo Garcia and Sam Mullane got the first point of the afternoon fourballs for the amateurs — defeating Olivia Jackson and Luke Plumb 3&2 — once again heaping the pressure back on the pros.

It was getting worse by the minute for the pro team as Liang Wei Lui and Jamie Rosalyn Camero were cantering to a 5&4 victory over Lea Poulliard and Ginger Delacretaz in the Ladies Challenge Match to get the amateurs’ noses in front.

Yash Majmudar and Raghav Gulati claimed a 1-up win over Thomas Ogilvie and Tom Buchanan, and amateur captain Khalid Yousuf alongside Max Burrow defeated Oscar Yeomans and Louis Gaughan 1-up to hand the amateurs a healthy advantage.

However, the rest of the scoreboard was blue to give the pros hope, with Jack Woods and Ryan Smith thumped Dan Byrne and Barry Pavic 4&2, Jackson Bell and Nathan Kernaghan dismissed Craig Vance and David Guinee 4&3, while Steven Munro and Graham Forbes overcame Jonathan Selvaraj and Ahmed Waheed 2&1.

So after a pendulum-swinging Day 1, the pros hold a 8.5-7.5 advantage. So, we now head over to Emirates Golf Club for Day 2 on Monday for the individual head-to-head clashes on the Majlis course with the tournament very much in the balance.

More
Game on for Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
LIV Golf: Bland’s British Masters title defence takes a twist
Dubai Golf Trophy is back!
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale
Greg Norman rejected by R&A for Open Championship
Report: First PGA Tour player request to play LIV Golf events

The post Dubai Golf Trophy: All to play for as pros hold slender advantage after Day 1 at Dubai Creek before EGC showdown on Monday appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Dubai Golf Trophy is one of the biggest events on the annual UAE golfing calendar that pits the nation’s cream of professionals against the leading amateurs.

The draw is now set for the opening foursomes of the two-day event. The action begins at Dubai Creek on Sunday with the fourballs following the morning foursomes before the competition heads over to Emirates Golf Club for the individual head-to-head clashes on Monday on the famous Majlis course.

The event closely follows the Ryder Cup format, where Europe’s finest take on the formidable talent of the United States. Just like the famous transatlantic clash, the Dubai Golf Trophy will once again see two teams of 16 battle it out in the team matches and then 16 matchplay singles.

While it might look lopsided on paper, with the ‘pros’ taking on the ‘amateurs’, recent history has the supposed underdogs on top.

The amateur team are going for an astonishing  seventh consecutive triumph and have made the coveted trophy their own in recent memory, having claimed another convincing victory last year at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

This year the honour of captaining the amateurs falls to Khalid Yousuf, while Michael Major will oversee the pros in a non-playing capacity.

Line-ups for Sunday morning’s foursomes (professional team first)

7am: Sujjan Singh & Michael Bolt v Toby Bishop & Jay Mullane
7.10am:Tom Buchanan & Tom Ogilvie v Yash Majmudar & Ali Parlane
7.20am: Louis Gaughan & Oscar Yeomans v Hugo Garcia & Sam Mullane
7.30am: Purna Sharma & Sam McLaren v Khalid Yousuf & Max Burrow
7.40am: Jackson Bell & Nathan Kernaghan v Raghav Gulati & Tom Nesbitt
7.50am: Olivia Jackson & Graham Forbes v Jonathan Selvaraj & Ahmed Waheed
8am: Luke Plumb & Ryan Smith v Dan Byrne & Barry Pavic
8.10am: Steven Munro & Jack Woods v Craig Vance & David Guinee
8.20am: Lee Pouillard & Ginger Delacretaz v Liang Wei Lui & Jamie Rosalyn Camero

Schedule

Sunday, May 8
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
7am onwards: Foursomes & 12:30pm onwards: Fourballs
Monday May 9
Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club
11am onwards: Singles

The post Game on as Dubai Golf Trophy tees off on Sunday at Dubai Creek in UAE’s answer to Ryder Cup appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.