Sport - Golf - 42nd Pan Arab Men Golf Championship
2023 Pan Arab Men’s Golf Championship - UAE Team and Delegates Image Credit: Emirates Golf Federation

The United Arab Emirates Men’s Golf Team have finished fourth overall in the 42nd edition of the Pan Arab Men’s Golf Championship in Morocco.

The Emirates Golf Federation team consisted of Captain Khalid Yousuf, UAE’s number one amateur Ahmad Skaik, and two young up and coming talents in Rashid Al Emadi and Mohammad Skaik as the team just missed out on a podium spot by one place.

Casa Green Golf Club in Casablanca hosted the tournament organised by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, under the leadership of the Arab Golf Federation in which first place of the team event went to the host nation of Morocco. Second place was Team Egypt and third Team Tunisia.

In the individual competition Egyptian Issa Abou El Ela took top spot on a tournament total of 211 (-5) after rounds of 70, 71 and 70. Just six months ago Issa won the 2022 Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club which earned him a spot in the Rolex Series Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the DP World Tour at Yas Links Golf Club.

Sport - Golf - Issa Abou El Ela
Egyptian Issa Abou El Ela winning the 2022 Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Image Credit: Supplied

Second place in the individual competition Pan Arab Men’s Golf Championship was a full house for the Moroccans as they had three of their four players competing finishing in a tie for second just one shot back from Issa.

A special mention must go to UAE Team Captain Khalid Yousuf who finished tied 8th in the individual tournament and Ahmad Skaik who also finished inside the top 10.

Development of junior golf

Last November, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Emirati Golf Federation for the promotion and development of junior golf in the Arab world. Morocco and the United Arab Emirates are two golfing nations with clubs that meet the best international standards and golfing infrastructures equipped with high-tech facilities. Both countries also have highly qualified human resources specialized in physical, mental and sports training.

Full Team Results Final Standings of 42nd Pan Arab Men’s Golf Championship

1 – Morocco
2 – Egypt
3 – Tunisia
4 – United Arab Emirates
5 – Qatar
6 – Bahrain
7 – Libya
8 – Kuwait
9 – Lebanon
10 – Palestine
11 – Saudi Arabia
12 – Oman
13 – Iraq