Captains set for Dubai Golf Trophy

Dubai: Sixteen of the UAE’s top amateur golfers take on the professionals in the Dubai Golf Trophy over two days at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Emirates Golf Club this Saturday and Sunday.

The professionals have taken home the last five trophies and have a total of ten wins to the amateurs two in 14 editions. Last year the professionals beat the amateurs 24.5 - 7.5. Modelled on the Ryder Cup, the Dubai Trophy format consists of foursomes, fourballs and singles match-ups with a win worth one point and a draw worth half a point.

Amateur captain Vikram Judge, who is a veteran of 10 competitions and was on the winning amateurs side in 2005, said: “For an amateur golfer in the region, the Dubai Golf trophy is the pinnacle of the golfing calendar. This year, I believe that we have a winning formula that combines youth and experience to finally bring the trophy back to the amateurs.

“I am delighted that Rayan Thomas is joining the team this year, at 13 years old he is the youngest player ever to qualify for the event which is a superb achievement. The entire team have been practicing hard, I believe that we have a huge depth of talent within the team and we are all hungry for success”.

Professionals captain Greg Holmes said: “I always look forward to the Dubai Golf Trophy and it is a great honour for me to have been given the opportunity to captain the team this year.

“Last year the team performed fantastically well to win the tournament in a very convincing fashion and although the amateur team is looking very strong this year, I am confident that we can achieve the same result in 2013.

“Winning means a great deal to the professionals, we are going for our sixth consecutive title and have all been working together as a team to prepare for the event.”