Yousuf and Alia take top honours at UAE Presidents Cup
Winners of the UAE Presidents Cup pose for a picture with Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted 117 national golfers at the 2021 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The 9th edition of the UAE Presidents Cup did not disappoint. With sandy conditions over the two days, this year’s winner was decided after a one-hole playoff between the top two players Ahmad Skaik and Khalid Yousuf. With a birdie on the first hole of the playoff, Yousuf won his 4th UAE Presidents Cup title.
The presentation ceremony was graced by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi along with other dignitaries and the EGF Board of Directors.
Yousuf shot rounds of 76-74 for an event total of 150. “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.
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.”
Taking the runner-up prize after the playoff was Skaik. Skaik shot rounds of 75-75 for a total of 150. Skaik and Yousuf have a couple of busy weeks coming up as Skaik will be the Captain of the Amateur Team for the Dubai Golf Trophy and Yousuf will be his Vice-Captain.
Rounding out the Top-3 and coming in third place, was Khalifa Al Masaood with rounds of 77-77 for a total of 154.
The Overall Net winner for the event was Mohammed Abdulla. Mohammed playing off a 23 Handicap and finished with a Net Total of 123 for the two days.
Winning the Ladies Division for her first time was Alia Al Emadi. Alia shot rounds of 81-79 for a championship of 160.
“One thing I particularly love about the UAE Presidents Cup is the fact that all golfers from all seven Emirates reunite to compete together and everyone welcomes each other like family, said Alia.
“I went into this weekend without pressure and I think that is what helped me win. 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,” she added.
The Ladies Overall Net winner was Reema Al Heloo with a net score of 145. Reema finished just one stroke behind Alia placing second in the overall lady’s division.
In the always-growing Junior Division, 15 boys competed for the top prize. Walking away with the 2021 Junior Division title was Rashid Al Jassmy. Rashid shot a championship total of 163 to claim his first UAE Presidents Cup victory.
Abdalla Al Suwaidi finished second with a championship total of 164, one shot behind Jassmy. Taking home the Junior Net prize was Sultan Al Owais.
In efforts to develop the game of golf within the national community, the 2021 UAE Presidents Cup sponsored by HSBC 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.
17 members of the EGF National Foundation Squad and one player from the UAE Special Olympic Golf Team competed in a 9-hole, Par 3 Championship. Winning the Par 3 Championship this year was Fatma Kalbat with an impressive score of 40 (4-over-par). Abdulla Salmeen was the Runner Up and Mohammed Jasim Thabet was the Third-Place winner.
Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the EGF, said: “On behalf of the Emirates Golf Federation, we would like to thank HSBC for their continued support and Abu Dhabi Golf Club for hosting our event. During these tough times, it is good that we can still use golf as a platform to compete and bring the nation together.”
