UAE's homegrown talent set to shine on Challenge Tour

As the players prepare to tee off in this week’s UAE Challenge, taking place at the stunning Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to developing homegrown talent and creating clear pathways for UAE-based players to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

Developing UAE-based golfers and providing them with opportunities to gain crucial experience on the global stage is a key focus for the EGF. The UAE Challenge, part of the HotelPlanner Tour, is a vital component of that mission—offering emerging Emirati and UAE-based golfers a rare chance to test themselves alongside some of the best rising stars in the game.

“This event is more than just a tournament—it’s a launchpad for local players to take their next step,” said General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation.

“By hosting world-class events like the UAE Challenge, we are not only promoting the UAE’s credentials as a leading golf destination but also directly supporting the future of Emirati golf.”

The UAE will be proudly represented by Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Rayan Ahmed—a quartet that recently made history at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship.

Skaik claimed individual gold with a stunning -18 under par total, while the team secured gold by a record 38 strokes, showcasing the remarkable progress of elite-level Emirati golf.

The event also highlights the EGF’s dedication to providing pathways for the broader amateur golf community. 

Sam Mullane added to his list of accomplishments by taking top spot in the inaugural Cedars Championship, held at Al Zorah last week. As Mullane had already secured entry into the UAE Challenge, Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne, who finished tied for second, were awarded tournament exemptions, a move which again underlined the EGF’s commitment to rewarding top local performances.

In addition to UAE national team players, several amateur competitors from the Arab Golf Federation will tee it up this week, further strengthening regional representation and reflecting the growing collaboration across the Middle East golf ecosystem. These include Daniil Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi of Qatar.

Several of the UAE’s club pros will also get the chance to test their mettle against some of the best players around with Jackson Bell of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, Craig Howie from Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club and Damien Scott of Al Hamra Golf Club teeing it up, alongside Stuart Smith of Precision Golf Middle East.

The field is also bolstered by international federation trades, which provide emerging players from around the globe—including National Team amateurs—access to elite-level competition. Players from the Arab Golf Federation and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) will also compete, enhancing the global calibre of the event.

Their participation is a direct reflection of the EGF’s broader development strategy, which includes grassroots programs, elite training support, and international exposure for promising talent—delivered in collaboration with the DP World Tour and The R&A.

“We are investing in the future of Emirati golf,” added Alhashmi. “Through events like the UAE Challenge at Al Zorah, we are giving our players the stage, the tools, and the belief to dream bigger—and to realise those dreams.”

The UAE Challenge is followed by the Abu Dhabi Challenge, set to take place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from April 17-20. Both events are supported by UAE-headquartered Arena, Al Laith and eGolf Megastore, while further support for the Abu Dhabi Challenge comes from Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism.

These events, which will showcase some of the most talented emerging golfers from around the world, competing alongside the next generation of Emirati stars, stand as a testament to the EGF’s long-term vision to grow the game and create sustainable opportunities for UAE golfers to thrive on the international stage.