The 11th edition certainly lived up to the hype as Skaik triumphed after an 18-hole playoff for his third Presidents Cup crown in four years.

Alai Al Emadi also defended her title in the Ladies Division, while Rashed al Naqbi won the Junior Division.    

The Emirates Golf Federation-hosted event saw the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Social Development’s Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan join Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi and chief sponsor HSBC UAE’s Najeeb Busheri for the ceremonies.

Players fought it out in junior, ladies, senior  and elite divisions alongside the Future Falcons 9-Hole Championship on the Garden Course, as well as the Future Falcons skills challenge.

Following a scoring error on Sunday night, Ahmad Skaik and Hassan Al Musharrekh were called back to the course on Wednesday for the playoff. Skaik triumphed with a 2-under 70.

“Golf is a crazy sport, and you must be able to adapt to certain things to overcome the hurdles that the sport throws at you,” he said. “This weekend was a great example of that. It is great to be back on the course full-time. I wanted to use this Championship to show everyone that I’m healthy again and ready for the rest of the year, I think I did that. I want to thank Hassan, he’s a great competitor and a brother of mine on the National Team, we have a lot to accomplish together this year. It’s always an honour to win the UAE Presidents Cup and I am grateful for all the support that I have received from the EGF and entire the UAE. I’d like to thank my family, coaches, and of course my teammates for pushing me and making me a better person on and off the course.”

Behind Al Musharrekh, Saif Thabit rounded out the podium with a total gross score of 155.

Defending her title and winning the Ladies Division for the third year straight was Al Emadi, whose 165 total was good enough for top prize, while Al Naqbi walked away with the Junior Division title ahead of Sultan Al Jassmy

General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice-Chairman of the EGF had this to say following the championship. “Congratulations to all of the winners. On behalf of the Emirates Golf Federation, we would like to thank HSBC for its continued support of this amazing championship. This weekend is a true celebration of UAE golf. Thank you to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and to The Westin, Abu Dhabi for hosting our players and families. Lastly, thank you to Abu Dhabi Sports Council and eGolf Megastore for enhancing our championship. UAE golf is moving forward, we have a lot of work to do, but together with our partners and stakeholders we will achieve our goals.”

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The national rep edged his Dubai Trophy captain and defending champion Ahmad Skaik at the first-hole of sudden death at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Saturday.

A playoff birdie got it done for Yousuf who now has a shot to win exactly half of what will be the 10th anniversary of the HSBC-sponsored, Emirates Golf Federation (EGF)-officiated event when he defends next year. Before then Skaik and vice-captain Yousuf will look to help the EGF amateurs make it a six-peat over the UAE PGA pros.

“It is always an honour to win the UAE Presidents Cup. After a tough year due to the current world situation, having the opportunity to compete again is something that we are all grateful for,” said Yousuf who signed for rounds of 76-74 in the sandy conditions to match Skaik’s 150-total (75-75).

Khalifa Al Masaood sealed third with rounds of 77-77 for a total of 154.

“This also gives the EGF the opportunity to show that even during tough times golf can bring the National community together. The Presidents Cup continues to grow and has a strong impact on the development of UAE golf. The playoff against Ahmad was fun and a great way to finish a good weekend. In tough conditions, we both weren’t on the top of our game but I was lucky enough to come out on top.”   

Alia Al Emadi won the ladies title for the first time with rounds of 81-79 for a championship total of 160. Reema Al Heloo finished second a stroke adrift and had the consolation of winning the net title with a 154 aggregate.

“I went into this weekend without pressure and I think that is what helped me win,” said Al Emadi.

“I came into the weekend with no intentions I just wanted to play my game and try my best, but most importantly enjoy the weekend. It showed me that good things come when you don’t force it, just trust your game and the practice will pay off”.

Dr. Sultan Abdul won the senior (over 50) title with rounds of 76-84. Playing off a 23 handicap, Mohammed Abdulla won the men’s net with a total of 123.  Rashid Al Jassm won the boys title on 164, by a shot from Abdalla Al Suwaidi with Sultan Al Owais taking the net prize.

In efforts to develop the game of golf within the national community, the 2021 UAE Presidents Cup also hosted a Par 3 Championship on the Garden Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. On a modified 9 holes, this year’s event also offered the UAE Special Olympic Team players to compete in the Par 3 Championship.

Winning the Par 3 Championship was Fatma Kalbat with an impressive score of 40 (4-over-par). Abdulla Salmeen and Mohammed Jasim Thabet finished second and third respectively.

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Emirati lefty Ahmad Skaik will proudly create history at next month’s Dubai Trophy but his ambition extends well beyond the Ryder Cup-style matches

By Kent Gray
In these extraordinary times, amateur golfers everywhere have had far too much time to reflect on tough lessons learned and glories past. Thankfully, Ahmad Skaik finally has some decent competition on the horizon to get him excited about the game again.

Things were going swimmingly for the ambitious 23-year-old Emirati before the coronavirus pandemic tilted the golfing world on its axis. The +3-handicapper had qualified for his maiden European Tour start at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January and followed up that eye-opening experience with victories at the UAE Presidents Cup (with a record -5 aggregate) and the Montgomerie and Trump Dubai Opens. The latter was particularly sweet as he came back from four shots adrift of Trump member Toby Bishop entering the final round to beat the red-hot Welsh teen in a playoff.

But like everyone else, Skaik suddenly found himself in lockdown and all the momentum lost.

“COVID changed the whole year. It was very frustrating,” Skaik says. “I had a few months of not touching my golf clubs because I had no motivation to practice, like I didn’t have anything to look forward to. I did some online classes with my university and worked hard in the gym and I feel good now with my game. I’m ready for the tournaments to come back.”

The Monty and Trump triumphs have Skaik just 20 points behind pal Dan Byrne in the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit (OOM) race with only the Yas Links (Sept. 11-12) and Al Ain Open’s (Sept. 18-19) to play. Those, and helping the EGF team reach the top division of the UAE Scratch League, are obvious immediate targets for Skaik but it is the Dubai Trophy that him really fizzing.

The 21st edition of the Ryder Cup-style matches will see the EGF’s leading amateurs chase an unprecedented fourth victory over the Luke Plumb-captained UAE PGA Tour pros. It’s already a personal triumph for Skaik who jumped at the opportunity to serve as Steven Kelbrick’s vice-caption for the matches scheduled for October 3-4. It means Skaik is on target to become the first Emirati captain in 2021, a reflection of his growing reputation in the local scene.

“I chose Ahmad because we have played a number of rounds together over last two years where he has shown his constantly improving game, his hard work and his enjoyment for the game and competition. He plays the game in the right way and can be a great UAE ambassador for the game,” says Kelbrick.

Understandably, Skaik is equal parts excited and anxious. At least he has positive experiences to call on for this year and next; his three previous Dubai Trophy appearances have coincided with the amateurs’ historic hat-trick of wins.

“I get nervous just thinking about it but it’s [going to be] an honour to be the captain of a great group of players. I can’t wait for this year’s trophy so I can get an idea on how that feels and learn from it for next year,” said Skaik.

“I’m very happy to be the first Emirati to do it and I hope this inspires the younger generation, especially my younger brother (13-year-old Mohammad who plays off a 19-handicap.)”

Skaik’s European Tour debut in Abu Dhabi revealed he needed more distance off the tee to compete at the highest level. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Beyond the Dubai Trophy, Skaik is looking forward to getting his International Studies degree at the American University in Dubai done and dusted so he can concentrate in his golf dreams.

“For now, I have to finish university so everything [golf wise] will be in the UAE and a few tournaments outside when I am off uni. But after I finish, I will play maybe one more year then turn pro. That is the goal and I don’t see why I can’t make it if I keep working on the right things and keep my focus.”

It appears the lefty is working on the right things after linking with Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy coach Joe Marshall, rather randomly as it turns out.

“I went two years without a coach and my game was up and down so I decided to work with [a coach]. I didn’t know who to pick so I opened the website and said that the first name that pops up to me is the one and that was Joe Marshall.

“Me and Joe have a very good relationship and we understand each other really well. Last season was tough because we made a deal to forget about the results of tournaments and just work on getting my swing together. We changed my grip, tempo of the swing, and length of the swing. My ball striking improved so much since I started working with Joe, my swing is night and day better now than what it was two years ago. I also work with Allister Parlane in the gym and that also had a lot of impact on my game especially with balance and distance off the tee.”

Distance off the tee is just one of the “must improve” aspects Skaik took away from his European Tour debut at Abu Dhabi Golf Club where rounds of 84-85 left him 25-over-par, 26-shots shy of making the cut and under no illusions about the standards required to compete at the highest level.

“I think Abu Dhabi was the best thing that ever happened to me. It took my game to another level because I experienced pressure that I’ve never felt before. Everything else feels like a normal round for me now. I realised that I need to gain a lot of distance off the tee to be able to compete and obviously needed to work on ball striking and my short game more.”

Skaik also realised he needed help with the butterflies churning in his stomach. Cue the arrival of mental coach Steven Thomas to Team Skaik.

“The difference between a good player and a great player is to be able to overcome pressure and adversity and be able to win.

“I think after working with Steve, I am mentally in a better place and I have so much more confidence in myself now and we can see with my results. We work on pre shot routine, how to prepare for a round, and my attitude on the golf course. I think that it helped me a lot. He is the best at it in the UAE in my opinion.”

Best in the UAE. Now there’s a target for Skaik. The refocused left-hander is on his way.

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Rounds of 84-85 left the Emirati amateur qualifier at the foot of Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship leaderboard on 25-over-par, 26-shots shy of making the cut and under no illusions about the standards required to compete at the highest level.

But Skaik didn’t waste the opportunity, banking plenty of insight from how some of the world’s best went about their business at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the future. The pay-off has come within a month after Skaik finally captured the HSBC-sponsored UAE Presidents Cup at Yas Links on Saturday after a pair of near-misses in the past two editions of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) event.

Skaik also won in style, rounds of 71 and 68 setting a tournament record 139 aggregate, five under par. He won by two strokes from Khalid Yousuf who signed for rounds of 71-70 in a gritty title defence. Saif Thabet, with scores of 73-71 for an even-par 144 total, finished third.

“It feels amazing to finally win this event,” said Skaik who collected bronze individual and team medals at the 2019 GCC Golf Championship.

“I have come close in the past two years with a second and third-place finish but being able to close the door this weekend and being the UAE champion is an amazing honour.

“All weekend I was spot on off the tee, it was probably the best I’ve ever hit the driver. My driving off the tee made it easy to hit greens and roll some decent putts. I have been working hard the past few months and it shows that I learned from my mistakes and corrected them for this championship.”

Skaik and Yousuf were engaged in a ding-dong battle for the title for much of the weekend before Skaik closed the door with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes in the final round.

Thabet’s third-place finish was sealed in style too with a first ace on the challenging par-3 17th. Earlier, Yas Links member Abdulla Al Marzooqi also notched up his first hole in one on the 179-yard 8th hole.

Aliya Al Qubaisi won the ladies championship with scores of 81-71 for a 153 total and her maiden Presidents Cup victory.

A record 94 players competed in the main event while 24 players played in the Par 3 Championship. For full results, visit egfgolf.com.

The EGF will be back in action at the next National Monthly Medal on March 28 at Dubai Hills Golf Club.

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Thabet’s five-under, second-round loop of the Abu Dhabi links followed a wind-swept opening 73 and saw him capture the prestigious crown for the second time with a record four-under par aggregate of 140.

He beat Ahmed Skaik by eight shots after one bad back nine hole in the second round cost Skaik who signed for scores of 73-75. Hassan Al Musharrekh rounded out the podium after rounds of 73-80 for a 157 total.

“To win this event twice under the patronage of His Highness Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a big honour,” said Thabet. “Having my name carved on the trophy and to go down in UAE golf history for firing the lowest score at this event means a lot to me. My hard work is paying off and by shooting my lowest round of my career is proof of that. I knew I was mentally and physically prepared. I think the turning point was when I got three birdies in a row during my second round on 11, 12, and 13.

Thabet is presented with the Presidents Cup by HH Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan from the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social Development.

“Moving forward I am going to get back to the driving range and gym and continue to work on my game. I will better my game through the EGF Order of Merit in prep for national team events. I also have my eye on making a spot on the amateur Dubai Trophy Team. I look forward to continue to represent my country locally and internationally.”

Abdulla Al Musharrekh won the net title with a 144 aggregate at the HSBC sponsored event which attracted a record field of 82, plus 18 players in the new Par 3 Championship.

Reema Al Heloo clinched back-to-back ladies titles with a 167 gross score for 23-over-par. Eida Al Muhairbi’s 146, two-over par, got the job done in the ladies net category.

Obaid Al Heloo shot a championship total of 177 to claim his first ever UAE Presidents Cup victory ahead of runner-up Rashid Al Emadi in the Junior division with Khaled Al Mutawa taking the net prize with a 178 total.

Yas Links’ challenging Academy Course hosted the Par 3 championship contested by 18 members of the EGF Foundation Squad aged between 8 and 15. Rashid Al Jassmy won ahead of his brother Sultan Al Jassmy with Saad Al Zarouni third on countback.

All the UAE Presidents Cup winners.

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