Last month, the Emirates Golf Federation and DP World Tour announced an historic long-term partnership, running until 2031, which is set to give UAE players the chance to shine on the global stage.
The new agreement will see a minimum of two new Challenge Tour events being staged in the United Arab Emirates from 2023, for which the EGF will receive 30 invitational spots per event. These spots can be used to trade with other Challenge Tour events on the schedule, giving the EGF invited players the experience of playing on the global stage.
The two organisations will collaborate across all levels of the sport in the UAE, from grassroots initiatives right through to the professional game, building on the Tour’s long-term association with the region which dates back to 1989. The relationship with the UAE and DP World Tour has got even stronger over the last 12 months and this announcement is something many golf industry stakeholders in the region have wanted to happen for a while.
Although the UAE is home to some of the greatest professional events and courses in the world, we’ve never been able to establish a player on the DP World or PGA TOUR. The talent is growing in the region and these new spots will go a long way to give our local players the opportunity they need under real Tour pressure.
That talent was on full display at last year’s AVIV Dubai Championship when Ahmad Skaik heralded a new era for golf in the UAE after he carded the lowest European Tour round by an Emirati with an impressive four under par 68 on the opening day at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The UAE’s No.1 golfer would fall just short of becoming the first Emirati to make the weekend at a DP World Tour event, but it proved the country is capable of producing talent to compete with the very best.
“I’m very excited about this partnership between the Tour and the EGF,” said Skaik. “It’s a very exciting opportunity for me and the other young Emiratis coming through the ranks. The announcement came at the perfect time for me as I’ve just about finished with University so my focus is now going to be fully on my golf and trying to take my game to the next level.
“The opportunity to play in Challenge Tour events across the world will definitely help me develop my game. No matter how you play, if you have the chance to compete against top players then you are always going to learn and know where your level is at. “
The relationship between the DP World Tour and the Emirates Golf Federation is deep rooted and alongside the three Rolex Series events in the UAE these new opportunities is equally as important in terms of growing the game at a grass roots level in the region. Young players now have a way to make a name for themselves without the pressure of going through the Qualifying School or the American college golf system.
“Golf in the UAE has been growing a lot lately and initiatives like this are going to take it to the next level,” added Skaik. “It’s going to be a goal of many players to earn invites in these bigger events so we’re going to see a lot of players practicing as hard as they can. Also, if I’m playing in these tournaments I could inspire a few of the younger generation – I’m excited for the future and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Could we dream of an Emirati winning on the DP World Tour in the future?
“Yes, you’re going to see an Emirati win on the DP World Tour and it’s going to be me hopefully in the future!” says Skaik. “If I just fully focus on my game without any distractions and work hard in the gym while competing in tournaments then I think I can do it – that’s the plan.”
