Ahmed Al Musharrekh and Khalid Yousuf will represent the UAE in the Asian Amateur Championship

Ahmed Al Musharrekh and Khalid Yousuf will represent the UAE in the Asian Amateur Championship to be held at the Singapore Island Country Club.

The premier championship, which has attracted leading players from the 36 Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) member countries, will receive an invitation to play in the 2012 Masters Tournament, and, together with the runner-up, will earn a place in International Final Qualifying for the 2012 Open Championship.

Fresh from their exploits in the recent Arab Golf Championship held in Rabat, the UAE duo sounded upbeat of making their presence felt in the championship. “I think we did well in Rabat and can take a lot of positives out of tournament.
“The competition out there was pretty tough, but we held on to finish third, though our goal was to go the full distance,” said Ahmed, who also finished fifth in the individual division.

“We have been competing regularly in international tournaments, and the experience will hold us in a good stead when we compete in Singapore. Since the field comprises leading from APGC countries, we have to be on top of our game if we aim to finish strongly,” he added.

Khalid Yousuf also felt there a good finish next week could transform his career. “Playing against the best players in the region, I definitely need to step up my preparations and hopefully I can achieve good results,” he said.
Saeed Albudoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: “It is definitely a dream for any aspiring golfer to play at the Masters and The Open Championship. That itself will be a great motivation for the players to give off their best during the championship.

Regular exposures to events of this stature are a must if we aim to compete at the highest level. I am sure the boys will return home richer in experience.”

The two-member UAE team is accompanied by national coach Chris Vallendar.
The AAC was created in February 2009 as a joint initiative to grow the game by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A. An invitation to play in the Masters Tournament is given to the winner, while both the winner and the runner(s)-up gain a place in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship