Mohammed Al Hajeri, Mohammed Abdulla Saeed and Rashid Al Qubaisi will represent the UAE in the U18 event from Thursday while Rashid Al Emadi (pictured above). Obaid Al Heloo and Khalid Al Mutawa make up the UAE U15 team which will also compete over 54 holes at Riyadh Golf Club.

The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) has invested heavily into its junior programme with the players honing their short games and working on scoring during a dedicated four week development camp at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at JGE.

“Scoring is the most important part of playing in the GCC Championships,” said UAE manager and EGF Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi as the teams tuned up with 36 holes of practice in Riyadh.

United Arab Emirates reps (from left to right) are Rashid Al Emadi, Obaid Al Heloo, Mohammed Abdulla Saeed and Rashid Al Qubaisi

“Recovering from mistakes and keeping the ball in play will help our team place in the top spots for this championship. We have some young talent and we have prepared well for this event…it is now time to put that hard work to the test.”

Al Qubaisi is playing his first international event while Al Hajeri is fresh from helping the UAE senior men’s team capture the bronze medal at the recent senior GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain.

Al Emadi is the big hope for individual honours in the U15 division after a strong 2016-17 season and dedication to his short game.

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Fourteen-year-old 12-handicapper Al Heloo will be looking to repeat her win in the individual standings as the UAE set out to defend the ladies team title while 17-year-old Al Hajeri will make his senior debut in the 21^st edition of the men’s championship.

Both tournaments – the 3^rd annual ladies championship over 54 holes and the 72 hole men’s event – are being hosted by the Royal Golf Club in Riffa which has been readied for play despite suffering major flood damage last Friday.

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Bahrain’s Royal Golf Club closed by heavy flooding

Mohammed Adel Al Hajeri, 17, will make his senior team debut for the UAE in Bahrain

Al Heloo, fresh from capturing the 2017 UAE Presidents Cup title at Yas Links, is joined by Hamda Al Suwaidi and Tara Al Marzooqi. Al Marzooqi was part of the winning team at the 2017 Gary Player Invitation Abu Dhabi.

Al Hajeri, meanwhile, has climbed his way through the National Golf Team Program to secure his spot in this week’s championship where he teams with Khalid Yousuf, 2017 UAE Presidents Cup champion Rashid Hamood, and rising talent Ahmed Skaik.

The UAE men claimed the bronze medal at last year’s GCC tournament behind hosts Qatar and second-placed Bahrain.

“We are very happy with our selection of the senior team for this championship. We have a good mixture or young talent and experienced players,” said EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi.

“This might be the strongest team that we have had for a few years and we are expecting to see some good scores. Having Al Hajeri playing in his first senior championship shows that the Emirates Golf Federation and the National Team Program is capable of producing young talented golfers.”

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