The UAE's top professional and amateur golfers will go head to head "Ryder Cup-style" over two days starting Saturday, with the pros determined to regain the prestigious Dubai Golf Trophy after the amateurs romped away with it 21-11 last year.
The cream of golfing talent – the country's top 16 professionals and top 16 amateurs – will battle from 7.45am on Saturday in morning fourballs followed by afternoon foursomes and conclude with 16 singles matches on Sunday at Emirates' Wadi by Faldo course.
Since the inaugural event in 2000, the amateurs have only won twice, but significantly two of those victories came in the last three years and their captain this year, Steve Kelly, said: "I have a great act to follow with the amateurs having had such a strong performance last year."
"I look forward to renewing the friendly rivalry with Elliott Gray and his team. I have chosen Paul King of Dubai Creek as my vice-captain this year," he added.
Arabian Ranches' Elliott Gray takes charge of the pros this year and said: "I'm sure it will be another tremendous match and and hope that the spirit equals that of last year. Justin Parsons from The Montgomerie Dubai will be my vice-captain."
He added: "Steve Kelly is a good friend and I know he will want to keep the trophy in the amateurs' cabinet, but let's see what happens, as we all know, in golf anything can happen."
It was the amateurs' teenage stars who led the victory charge last year and the famous five – Matthew Turner, Joel Neale, Khalid Yousuf, Eric Hesson and Sean Thornberry – are all back this year to show that last year's victory was no fluke. The pros meanwhile, who feature the in-form David Gray and Simon Payne, are itching for revenge.
Dubai golf trophy line-ups
Morning fourballs, Saturday, May 24, Wadi Course, Emirates GC
Professionals v Amateurs
7.45 Simon Payne & Craig Martin v Joel Neale & Khalid Yousuf
7.55 Stephen Hubner & Richard Sheridan v Mukthar Mirza & Jamal Saab
8.05 Luke Cantelo & Malcolm Young v Peter Shaw & Biren Dey
8.15 David Gray & Dave Adams v John Fellingham & Vikram Judge
8.25 Nick Oakley & James Bowring v John Mill & Steve Kelly
8.35 Jamie Wood & Stuart Fee v Eric Hesson & Ariel Ignacio
8.45 Greg Holmes & Justin Parsons v Alex Charawani & Dino Varkey
8.55 Alan MacKenzie & Ross McArthur v Matthew Turner & Sean Thornberry
Captain: Elliott Gray Captain: Steve Kelly
SUMMER SPECIAL at EGC
Emirates Golf Club are offering a three-month membership for the summer period which will run from June 15 to September 15. The cost is Dh3,500 per person and includes: unlimited use of The Wadi by Faldo course; use of the floodlit Par 3 course; use of practice facilities and the floodlit driving range; use of the gymnasium; use of the swimming pool; use of tennis and squash courts. Anyone wishing to apply for this offer can e-mail egc@dubaigolf.com, telephone
04-380 2222 or fax 04-380 1555.
Emirates will be offering cut-price green fees for the summer from June 1 until September 30. Eighteen holes at the Majlis course will cost Dh400 or a full round at the Wadi will be just Dh300. Nine-hole rates apply after 4pm for as many holes as you can play.
SUMMER TOURNAMENT
There are plenty of opportunities to play competitive golf over the hot summer months. Dubai Creek is hosting the Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup on Saturday, June 21. It is an 18-hole individual stableford (7/8 handicap) open to all male and female amateurs with a valid handicap. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and the entry fee is: visitors Dh350; UGA Dh325; DCGYC members and juniors Dh175. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.ugagolf.com/Docs/EntryForms/10016_DDFGolfCup2008.pdf and the closing date for entries is June 14. The entry fee includes green fee, shared golf cart, range balls, tournament fee, souvenir gift, prize-giving buffet after play and selected beverages.
