David Ford, the No. 5 ranked amateur in the world, posted an eight-under 64, while 2023 US Amateur champion Nick Dunlap contributed a four-under 68.

“I just feel so happy for these guys,” said US captain Mark Newell. “This is a great championship filled with lots of good players and they really earned their victory with great play all four rounds and especially today.”

On the strength of a red-hot Ford, who was six-under through his opening six holes, the Americans quickly established an eight-shot cushion midway through the opening nine. 

Ford rattled off four consecutive birdies followed by an eagle hole-out from 140 yards on the par-4 sixth to kick-start his final round.

“I’ve never been six-under through six before,” said Ford, who carded a 29 on the front side. 

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until about hole 13. I wanted to see where we were and then I just tried to make as many birdies as I could coming in.”

Ford’s 64 is the second-lowest individual final round score in World Amateur Team Championship history.

After struggling to get things going early on, Dunlap birdied six of his final 10 holes, leading to his 68, and Gordon Sargent, the low amateur in the 2023 US Open, posted a non-counting 71 for the USA in the fourth round. 

Dunlap (2), Ford (T-5) and Sargent (T-5), who competed together on last month’s victorious USA Walker Cup team at St Andrews, all finished in the top 5 of the individual scoring.

“I love the fact that everybody contributed just about equally,” said Newell. 

“Every player had the best score at least one day and every player had the highest score at least one day. They all carried the team for stretches and they all ended up shooting about the same scores overall. A true team effort and exactly the kind that it takes to win this kind of event.”

The USA’s 72-hole hole score of 36-under-par 540 was 11 strokes better than the silver-medal winning Australia and Norway teams. The 11-shot victory was the largest championship margin since Australia’s 19-stroke win in 2016. 

Australia used a strong finish by Jack Buchanan (4-under 68), who birdied four of his final five holes, and a counting score from Karl Vilips (2-under 70) to close at 25-under-par 551.

Norway’s silver is its first medal in the country’s 26 Eisenhower appearances. The Norwegians, whose previous best finish was fourth place in 2022, used a 3-under 69 from Herman Sekne and a 2-under 70 from Michael Mjaaseth for a team total of 551. 

“Obviously, you want to win when you have a chance to, but this is the best that our country has ever finished, so that’s something to be proud of,” said Sekne, a senior at Purdue University. “Hopefully we’ll be back next time and win it.”

France finished in fourth place, one stroke behind Australia and Norway at 24-under. Italy, the 2022 champions, and New Zealand finished in a tie for fifth place.

The USA receive custody of the Eisenhower Trophy until the next World Amateur Team Championship, which will be held in 2025 in Singapore. Members of the winning team receive gold medals and members of the two second-place teams receive silver medals.

Although there is no official recognition, New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori, the 2023 Western Amateur champion, was the low individual scorer at 16-under 272.

Main image: Supplied

The post World Amateur Team Championships: US secure Eisenhower Trophy in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism, the men’s Eisenhower Trophy is scheduled for October 18-21 while the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy takes place the following week from October 25-28.

The UAE men’s team will be captained by star player Ahmad Skaik and he will be joined by current UAE Junior Order of Merit winner Rayan Ahmed as well as 2023 Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Championship winner Thomas Nesbitt.

“It is an honour to represent the country in any event, and to do it in the biggest amateur team event, especially on home soil, makes it even more special,” Skaik said.

“I am excited about this opportunity and proud to serve as the captain. I couldn’t compete much last year due to my injury, so I am eagerly anticipating the challenge.”

Ahmed, who also achieved a top 10 finish at the 2023 European Golf Championships, added: “It’s truly a dream come true to participate in a tournament where golf legends like Tiger (Woods), Rory (McIlroy), and (Jon) Rahm have played. I’ll have the opportunity to test my skills against the very best in the world.”

The women’s representatives include 2023 Faldo Series Middle East Championship winner Jamie Camero, 2022 All African Challenge Trophy champion Intissar Rich and Lara El Chaib, who won two events in England last year.

“The WATC will bring together the best of the best amateurs from all over the world and I’m so honoured to be a part of it, especially in front of our home crowd,” said Camero. “I’m guaranteed to learn a lot from the week.”

Rich, who has previously played in Ladies European Tour events, added: “I’m very excited to be part of the UAE Ladies Team and to play golf at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the Espirito Santo Trophy.

“This course is known for being tough and used to host the HSBC Championship. Representing the UAE is a big honour, and I can’t wait to play golf with my teammates.”

Both tournaments are set to feature 36 countries with each nation having two or three playing representatives with some of the best amateur players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, including current World No. 1 Christo Lamprecht.

The 22-year-old South African grabbed the spotlight earlier this year when he posted a 66 to hold the first-round lead at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

“It’s always a great privilege to represent your country,” said Lamprecht. “I’m a very proud South African, I’m looking forward to it and playing alongside my fellow South Africans. It’s time we do really good in the event as historically we haven’t done too well. I think it could be a really special one for us.”

The best two scores from each day’s play go toward the team’s score for each round with the 72-hole total combining to give each nation’s score for the full championship.

Both tournaments were last held in 2022 in France where Italy emerged victorious at the Eisenhower Trophy on 31-under par, while Sweden claimed the Espirito Santo Trophy on 13-under.

Main image: Ahmad Skaik. EGF

The post UAE confirms line-up for World Amateur Team Championships set to take place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club next month appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Abu Dhabi is set to host the most important amateur golf tournament in the world in less than two months, with 36 nations represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the World Amateur Team Championships.

The men will fight it out over Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course for the Eisenhower Trophy from October 18-21 before the women contest the Espirito Santo Trophy from October 25-28.

This is the 33rd edition of the men’s event before a landmark 30th time the women will be in competition in the biennial tournament conducted by the International Golf Federation (IGF).

General Abdullah Alhasmi, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation has confirmed preparations are well under way and on course as the UAE hosts the tournament for the first time — also the first time the event will be held in the Middle East.

The top 10 teams last time out Paris automatically qualify for the 2023 edition — held in an odd year so as not to clash with next year’s Olympics — along with the hosts. The remaining 25 spots are filed by the Amateur Golf Ranking of the best two players from each country.

Each nation is represented by a team of two to three players for the 72-hole stroke play competition.

“The fact that this is the first time since its 1958 inception that the WATC has been held in the Middle East is both significant and exciting, as it will hopefully generate more interest in golf throughout the region,” Annika Sorenstam, President of the International Golf Federation said. “Many of the most recognised players in the game have represented their countries at the World Amateur Team Championships, including more than 70 per cent of the men and women who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We look forward to witnessing the exceptional talent on display in Abu Dhabi this October and thank the Emirates Golf Federation for its excellent work in preparing for the event.”

Across the two competitions, Europe has 31 qualified teams, Asia 19, the Americas 12, and Africa and Oceania five each.

Sweden won the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy in 2022 while the men’s team from Italy took home the Eisenhower Trophy.

2023 WATC MEN’S TEAMS
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Canada
China
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Guam
Guatemala
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
UAE
USA
Wales
Zimbabwe

2023 WATC WOMEN’S TEAMS
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Philippines
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
UAE
USA

The post UAE set to welcome World Amateur Team Championships hopefuls to Abu Dhabi appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 39-year-old is a product of the dedication put in by the likes of the Emirates Golf Federation to support and develop golfing talent of all nationalities across the country and Al Masaood recently had the honour of representing the UAE in the 2023 GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain. While he is part of the growing number of Emiratis who have embraced golf, it all started with a trip with his grandfather as a kid.

“I got into golf through my granddad at the age of six,” Al Masaood told Golf Digest Middle East. “He originally came from New Zealand and he was in the Royal Air Force. When he was out here, from time to time we would play on the Al Ghazal course in Abu Dhabi — the sand course — the first experience I had with golf was with that little plastic green mat.

“That was really my first experience on a golf course. He would always have the golf on in the house and we would always watch together — all sports, but really the golf.

“One day I said I would love to try it and that’s where we began and I got into it.”

As with many budding young athletes, Al Masaood got into different sports as he grew, but the golf bug remained. 

“In my teenage years I really got into tennis and focused on that,” he said. “But got has a funny old way of coming back to you and that is what happened as I fell back in love with the game. 

“I began to really improve and played some junior events in the US, including the Junior Worlds in 2001, which was an amazing experience.

“During my twenties, I got into the family business and that took up a lot of my time but, as I said, golf is one of those games that after a while you realise how much you miss it and get back into it. But then you remember how difficult it can be, too. Now I have been playing consistently and sometimes with the National Team, including at the GCC Golf Championship.

“That was something I will never forget. I felt privileged to be invited and I know I will not get another opportunity like that to play against some of the best amateurs in the world. It was something incredible — it is tough as the level is so high, it can be quite daunting, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime thing you would never want to miss.

Now, as he nears 40, Al Masaood has witnessed first-hand the next generation of golfers like the UAE No. 1 amateur Ahmad Skaik, coming through and he has noticed a big difference from his days as a youngster. 

“I have known Ahmad since he was a teenager, and not only is he a great golfer he is a very respectful and likeable guy. It is incredible how far he has come, and he is a good role model for some of the other juniors, and even they have really come on. 

“The popularity of the sport in the region has increased massively and we have so many amazing courses. Every course is different. In any other sport, you are playing on the same shape of field, but golf is unique in that it can change massively from course to course.”

The growth of the game is not only limited to the Emirati players as a number of ex-pat youngsters located in the UAE have broken through, including Josh Hill, Toby Bishop, Chiara Noja and Maya Palanza Gaudin.

“It’s incredible the talent across the board,” Al Masaood said. “The nice thing is there is now a group of them and they all push each other to get better and they realise that once someone is winning like Chiara, they can do it too. It’s a bit of a snowball effect when they see their friend can do it.

“Also the practice facilities, the courses and the coaching is world-class. There is an immense involvement in the game and a great opportunity for a lot of people to try the game.”

The World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) is taking place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in October and Al Masaood cannot wait for the event to showcase what the UAE has to offer the golfing world — even if he is not playing himself.

“I won’t be able to play [due to other commitments in October],” he explained. “It is an incredible thing to have here as it solidifies the UAE as a golfing capital the world. It’s good to see we are not just having the professional events but the amateurs are coming too. It shows the best players come from and how they have developed and grown and to host it is an honour.”

The post Gear change: Khalifa Al Masaood is thrilled to see golf developing in the region appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
The 2022 World Amateur Team Championship drew to a close in Paris on Sunday evening and, following the crowning of Italy as champions, the Emirates Golf Federation was presented with the International Golf Federation banner ahead of hosting the 2023 competition at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the UAE.

The famous amateur team tournament now moves on to Dubai next year for the 33rd edition following the closing ceremony in France, where the French Golf Federation President, Pascal Grizot, handed the championship banner to EGF Vice Chairman General Abdallah Alhashmi.

In October 2023, the EGF will host the 33rd WATC on JGE’s Fire Course. The WATC is conducted by the IGF, where National Golf Federations enter a women’s team and men’s team, made up of three amateur golfers, to compete for the Espirito Santo Trophy (Ladies) and the Eisenhower Trophy (Men’s).

During the 2022 Eisenhower Trophy, Khalid Yousuf, Ahmad Skaik and Abdullah Al Musharrekh represented the UAE. It was a challenging weekend for the team, due to injuries and a lack to competitive action. The UAE finished 68th place after four days’ play on Le Golf National and Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche courses.

“The Emirates Golf Federation is looking forward to hosting the IGF and world golf federations in the UAE next year,” said Gen. Alhashmi. “For years the UAE has hosted top professional championships in the sport and now we have the opportunity to host the most respected amateur championships in the world. “Hosting the championships in the UAE shows the dedication that the EGF has to the development of the sport within the region”.

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