Led by an inspirational captain, the amateur team wholeheartedly deserved their first victory in the end-of-season Dubai Golf trophy.

Alex Charawani's men and indeed the juniors showed true determination in defeating the pros for the first time in the five-year history of the tournament.

As the final matches came down to deciding the final few points, it was the juniors (and indeed the experienced Mr Tennant) who eventually showed their true mettle in fighting off the pros.

No one ever doubted the juniors' capabilities, but having an incentive throughout the season of making the final top-16 of the Order of Merit and ensuring a place on the team in an event which stirs up three different match-play formats, really does add character and valuable experience for the development of a player.

The juniors playing in the amateur team have all come through the UAE JDP programme from all over the UAE and are developing into good golfers and tournaments like this can be great for them. In addition to their powerful swings, the way in which they conducted themselves, playing with their elders, is something to be admired. This is one area which many golfers, who have played with these kids, have commented on and that is a great tribute to the pros who teach them on a weekly basis and whom they beat on Sunday!

What is very important for all the juniors playing last weekend is to take the experience, learn from the pressure, format and at times gamesmanship and continue to improve. I do see a lot of juniors once they get down to three or two handicap start to ease off on lessons and think they have arrived.

One interesting player at last week's Irish open was a 16-year-old amateur who played off plus 4! That is something all juniors in the UAE should be striving for and with the facilities available, there can be no reason why they cannot reach that kind of standard.

Playing of a handicap of two or indeed one at the age of 16 is not going to get you into major amateur or junior Opens around the world.

The juniors playing in the amateur team have all come through the UAE JDP programme from all over the UAE and they are developing into good golfers and tournaments like this can be great for them.