UAE golfers Skaik and Musharrekh embark on EU Challenge Tour Swing

In conjunction with the Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) agreement with the European Tour Group, the EGF will be taking full advantage of the player exchange process following the UAE Challenge Tour events.

Starting this week, Ahmad Skaik and Ahmed Al Musharrekh will embark on a seven weeklong competitive swing beginning in Spain traveling through Europe in preparation for the Arab Championships and the World Amateur Team Championship.

For hosting the Abu Dhabi Challenge and the UAE Challenge last month the EGF received 30 spots in each event. Behind the scenes the EGF has been networking and creating relationships to trade some of these spots with other Federations and Challenge Tour events, giving UAE golfers the chance to compete on the tour. The EGF has strategically secured these invites to prepare for the upcoming Arab Championships and the 2023 World Amateur Team Championship (hosted in Abu Dhabi, UAE) while giving opportunities for inspiring professionals.

Skaik, UAE’s best amateur golfer and number 280th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, will be competing in four Challenge Tour events over the next seven weeks.

The UAE national has a good history playing on the professional stage having several appearances on both the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour circuit. In 2021, Skaik fired his lowest round at the 2021 AVIV Dubai Championship with an impressive 4-under-par, 68 on the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Skaik had this to say before his first event this weekend at the Andalucia Challenge de Cadiz in Cadiz, Spain. “I’m very excited to get out there and play. I’ve played in many other big events so nerves and pressure aren’t a factor.

“I have the experience. I’m just looking forward to focusing on my game and learning from life on the road. I know that the course setup will be different in Europe, so the plan is to take it day by day and use my course management skills to score well. Playing in these tournaments will help my game in preparation for a busy summer and autumn. I’m very grateful for the opportunity that the EGF has given me and my fellow UAE golfers.”

In addition to the Andalucia Challenge de Cadiz, Skaik will be playing in the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in Le Vaudreuil, France on June 28th-July 2nd, the Italian Challenge Open in Viterbo, Italy on July 5-9, and finally the Euram Bank Open in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria on the July 13-16.

Musharrekh, the UAE’s only professional golfer, is set to compete in the two Challenge Tour events in Europe. The 33-year-old will be playing in the Andalucia Challenge de Cadiz and the Irish Challenge in Kells County Meath, Ireland on July 27-30.

Musharrekh is coming off playing in both Abu Dhabi Challenge Tour events. The EGF is excited to see Al Musharrekh take advantage of these opportunities while he’s trying to find his stride on the professional stage.

“I am really looking forward to playing tournaments in Europe, it’s a very good opportunity for me to figure out where my game is, and representing my country makes me very proud,” said Musharrekh.

In addition to the Challenge Tour events the Arab Golf Federation will be hosting the 42nd Pan Arab Men Championship on the July 24– 29 and the 1st Arab Professional Men Championship on August 1-4. Both events will be hosted in Casablanca, Morocco.

Skaik will finish his summer swing at the Challenge de Espana from September 7-10.

He will then travel to China for the Asian Games followed by the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) in Abu Dhabi on October 18-21.

The WATC will be held in the Middle East for the first time. Hosted by the EGF and organized by the International Golf Federation the first WATC was held in 1958. The WATC is two events in one, the 33rd Men’s Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy will be held from October 18–21 and the 30th Women’s Championship for the Espirito Santo Trophy will be held from October 25-28. The competition brings together the top amateur golfers and nations in the world.

in addition to securing spots for UAE Nationals, the EGF has also confirmed invites for English professional golfer Joshua Grenville-Wood. Joshua, 25 years old, has been a UAE resident for the last four years and using UAE’s top training facilities to help him improve his game.

Joshua will be competing in the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge, Euram Bank Open, and Irish Challenge. Joshua finished in a tie for second place in Abu Dhabi Challenge, a spot the EGF gave the young pro for hosting the Challenge Tour event in Abu Dhabi.

“It is essential for the Emirates Golf Federation to take advantage of the partnership with the European Tour Group and the Challenge Tour events. By giving our amateur and professional golfers the opportunity to gain experience at these events we will continue to develop the national team program. This summer will be a good test for these young men and for the entire National Golf Program. We have goals of UAE representation on the global stage and in professional events, I want to see the UAE accomplish these goals. Dedication, hard work, and preparation along with the continued support of our partners and the UAE leadership we will accomplish our goals,” said General Abdullah Al Hashmi, EGF Vice-Chairman.