Abu Dhabi : The 2009 Abu Dhabi Junior Golf championship (ADJGC), presented by The Daily Telegraph, got underway today at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Faisal Al Shaikh, events management section head of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) started play by teeing off at a special challenge match, featuring 21 of the best young golfers from across the UAE and Middle East alongside the 21 ADJGC finalists who qualified from an opening field of over 40,000.
"With the cream of junior golfing talent from the UK and Ireland now playing in Abu Dhabi, the challenge match represents a great opportunity for young golfers in the UAE and beyond to compete alongside some of the best youngsters in the world and benefit from the experience," said Al Shaikh.
Among the junior golfers from the region who earned their places at the challenge match via the 2009 Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Open, are two Emiratis and one Saudi national.
Offering a positive sign for golf's development in the region, brothers Faisal and Suhail Al Marzouqi from Dubai will be joined by 14 year-old Khalid Attieh from Saudi Arabia.
The ADJGC itself will be played from November 27-29 and features the 20 best under-18 golfers from the British Isles — 11 boys and 9 girls.
In addition, and for the first time in the tournament's long history, the Middle East will be represented by 18-year-old Joel Neale from Dubai. With an impressive Plus 2 handicap, Joel will be looking to take advantage of his experience of playing on home soil.
Organised by The Daily Telegraph — Britain's biggest-selling broadsheet newspaper — since the 1960s, this year marks the first year that the ADTA has been the headline sponsor for the tournament.
Information
What: Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship
When: November 27-29
Where: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
