Dubai: The UAE national golf team will showcase the rising standards of the game in the Arab world when they compete in the Eisenhower Trophy at Buenos Aires that will tee off on Thursday.
The team, consisting of Khalid Yousuf, Abdullah Al Musharrekh and Ahmad Al Musharrekh, yesterday left for Buenos Aires, determined to better their performance in the biennial world amateur team golf championship, organised by the International Golf Federation since 1958.
In the last edition of thetournament, which is named after US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the UAE team was the top performing Arab team finishing 50th, well ahead of Saudi Arabia (55th), Egypt (tied at 56th) and Qatar (63rd) in a field which attracted teams from a record 75 countries.
"The tournament provides a great opportunity for our team members to interact with some of the world-class players from different countries and learn from their experience," said Saeed Al Budoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.
"Their participation in the tournament, which is aimed at encouraging the international development of golf and to foster friendship and sportsmanship among the peoples of the world, is a good advertisement for golf in the UAE," he said.
"Our boys have featured in the event in the past and they know what to expect. I am sure if they play to their potential we can expect some good results.
Competitive edge
"We, at the Emirates Golf Federation, are committed to providing our players every possible opportunity to hone their competitive edge. They are learning with experience and, I am sure, with time they will be a force to be reckoned with on the regional circuit. I wish them all the best."
Khalid Mubarak, manager of the UAE team, was equally upbeat about a good showing from the team.
"They are not short on preparations ahead of the tournament. In the run up to the Eisenhower trophy, the UAE team competed in the Arab Golf Championship and then two of their key members, Khalid and Abdullah, featured in the Shaikh Rashid Trophy while Ahmad played in the Egyptian Open, a European Challenge Tour event.
"Individually they have done well, but they need to gel as a unit if aim to improve our results. This is a team event with top two scores counting towards the total, hence every player needs to be in top gear. This is the first time that all the three members of our team will be playing off plus handicaps, so we can expect some good golf."
"They have everything to gain from this tournament and the experience of rubbing shoulders with some of the finest amateurs will provide a great boost to their confidence," said Mubarak. The UAE national team is also accompanied by coach Chris Vallender.
Teams from 70 countries are competing in the biennial event for men, and players like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Kite and Michael Campbell have featured in past competitions.
Ahmad Al Musharrekh
- Date of birth: October 12, 1989
- Place of birth: Sharjah
- Current handicap: Plus two
- First golf lesson: 1994 (EGF Junior Development Programme)
- Career best round: 69
- National champion: 2008
- Major overseas wins: Syndrome Charity Association Open golf tournament at Riyadh Golf Club in 2009; Team Gold Medal at Junior Arab Championship in 2007
Khalid Yousuf
Date of birth: October 15, 1989
- Place of birth: Dubai
- Current handicap: Plus three
- Career best round: 64 (at Els Club in 2010)
- First golf lesson: 1997 (EGF Junior Development Programme)
- National champion: 2005, 2006, 2007
- Key wins overseas: Team and individual Gold Medals at Junior Arab Championship in 2005 and 2007
Abdullah Al Musharrekh
- Date of birth: December 22, 1987
- Place of birth: Sharjah
- Current handicap: Plus one
- Career best round: 66 (at Dubai Creek in 2009)
- First golf lesson: 2004 (Junior Development Programme)
- Major overseas win: Team Gold Medal at the Junior Arab Championship in 2005
