Sport - Golf - Dubai Golf Trophy 2023
2023 Dubai Golf Trophy - from left to right Amateur Team Captain David Guinee, Chris May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf, Professional Team Captain Jack Woods Image Credit: Dubai Golf

The 24th edition of the Dubai Golf Trophy is just a matter of days away as the 2023 edition is set to return to Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Championship Course on Sunday 1st & Monday 2nd October.

The tournament hosts the top 16 Professionals vs the top 16 Amateurs in the UAE in a two-day Ryder Cup-style format. Originally launched by Dubai Golf, the event is rotated across five Dubai Golf courses; Faldo and Majlis at Emirates Golf Club, Earth and Fire at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and the Championship Course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, for a fiercely competitive showcase of tournament golf.

A continued feature within the 2023 Dubai Golf Trophy will also include the Ladies Challenge Match of the same format between two Professionals and two Amateur Ladies.

Brings amateur and professional golfers together

Chris May, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Golf said, ‘The Dubai Golf Trophy was founded on the principle of raising the profile of golf in the region and bringing both amateur and professional golfers from clubs all over the UAE together in a competitive and enjoyable format.

‘The tournament provides a focus for players to aim for throughout the qualifying events counting towards EGF and UAE PGA Order of Merits during the season and culminating in a season-ending spectacle on two of the finest courses in the region – especially exciting this tournament as we host the event during the 2023 Ryder Cup weekend. Best of luck to both teams!’

Each team of 16 players consists of twelve automatic qualifiers from the season-long UAE PGA tournaments and qualifying Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) events across the UAE. In addition, the team captains welcome four ‘wildcard’ picks, and two ladies on both sides.

Pinnacle of our season

The Professionals, Captained by Jack Woods, will be looking to defend their 2022 win against the Amateurs, their first since 2016. ‘It is a real honour to captain the Professional team in the Dubai Golf Trophy’ said Woods. ‘The event is the pinnacle of our season and with the event moved back to October this year, the build-up has been even better than normal.

'After finally ending the Amateurs winning streak last year, we know they will be desperate to regain the Trophy and we will have to be at our best to retain the win. As always, it will be an amazing couple of days no matter the outcome.’

Amateur Team Captain, David Guinee is confident his team can win back the Dubai Golf Trophy. A tournament which they have held in the past for so many years, even this time round with team mixture of experience. ‘It is a pleasure to Captain the Amateur team this year. We had a tough year last year, losing out by one point, and we will be aiming to win it back this year.

Always the best weekend

‘We have a great mix of experience and youth in the team this year and I believe we can give the Professionals a great challenge. It is always the best weekend of our tournament season and I anticipate this year will be no different. But, hopefully, with a different outcome to last year.’

Schedule of play:

Sunday 1st October
– Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates:
Sunday AM – Foursomes
Sunday PM – Fourballs

Monday 2nd October – Championship Course, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club:
Single Matches