From the Fairways: Reflecting on the positive aspects

Now that the dust has settled on the 23rd Arab Golf Championship, it is time to reflect on the standing of the UAE national golf and golfers.

Whilst some would have hoped for a better finish than tied sixth in the gross division - the only division to be considered seriously - we can reflect on many positives from the week.

The Montgomerie Dubai hosted a fine championship showcasing their impressive facilities at their best. To achieve greens running at 10.8 on the stimpmeter is a credit indeed at a new facility.

Robin Evans, the Golf course manager and his team must be applauded for their achievements. Events of this nature are never the most straight forward to plan and the enthusiasm, patience and flexibility of the host club must be acknowledged.

With regard to the players, the theme of the championship stated by the President of the Arab Golf Championship Khaled Abou Taleb was junior golf. For the first time many teams had junior players in their ranks. For the next championship in Morocco, it will be no surprise if many teams consist of an entire 4 man team of juniors all under 18 years of age.

To the UAE juniors, Faris Al Mazrui and Rashid Alabbar, credit must go for their attitude, presentation and courtesies - a credit to their country.

All 13 other countries without exception showed considerable interest in the UAE's Junior Development Programme structure, especially the calendar, award scheme and number of UAE national juniors competing against genuine adult golf on a scratch basis as well as juniors at the more introductory stages.

A note should be made at this stage of the progress made by juniors and the structure. Over 200 golfers are now on the Junior Development Programme of which 74 are UAE nationals. This is the limit for expats, but UAE nationals are still eligible to come on board.

The current squad of 18 UAE nationals since January have reduced their handicaps by a total of 38 shots calculated at an average of over 2 handicap shots per player.

120 events are on the junior calendar with 7 forming the Junior Order of Merit, culminating in the Matchplay at the end of the season. Below the handicap level there are 57 UAE nationals not including the squad members on the 6-certificated level award scheme.

Regular voluntary sessions are held for non squad members by Martin Duff, JDP golf professional, which now attracts upwards of 20 UAE nationals per weekly sessions. These are attended by choice rather than as a part of the programme.

A key to the success of the junior programme is the treatment of the golfer with expats not in isolation. The UAE juniors have a golden opportunity to take the game as far as they can. The exciting prospect is that they have now decided as individuals that they want to take the game further rather than being encouraged to do so.

The Arab junior scene is now taking shape and will provide a positive platform with regular events at the right level to encourage the juniors to take their game beyond the club and country level to the regional level and beyond.

These are exciting times for junior golf in the region. It won't be a success on its own but the platform is there for development.

The UAE will reap the rewards sooner than we realise on the regional level - for one of our juniors to improve from 23 to 6 handicap in 18 months is testament to what is possible and the potential. We will watch their progress with interest and pride.

However, the players coming through are the first generation. The challenge is to replace the existing crop with a new intake perhaps with greater potential following the footsteps of today's pioneers.

Nick Tarratt is the General Manager of the UAE Golf Association.