Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club will be the venue of the 16th GCC Golf Championship to be held from March 4 to 7
Organised by the Emirates Golf Federation under the patronage of the General Authority of Youth and Sports and sponsored by Dubai Creek, the championship will see leading players from the six GCC states vie for the honours in men’s and juniors’ divisions.
The championship was originally scheduled to be played at Muscat Hills, but has been moved to Dubai following a last-minute request from the Oman Golf Committee.
Bahrain are the defending champions in the main competition, having triumphed in last year’s tournament held at Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. The UAE team finished runners-up, but went on to win the team gold medal in junior division with ace Ahmed Al Musharrekh further adding the glory when he won the individual gold medal in the Senior Division.
“It’s indeed a privilege and honour to play host to this prestigious regional championship. We will try and do our best to ensure the successful and smooth conduct of championship befitting the UAE’s reputation as the sporting capital of the region,” said Adel Zarouni, Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation.
“We are grateful to the management at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club for their support and putting in place all arrangements at short notice and we value their support. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club are no strangers to the event having previously hosted the championship.
“I am sure the course will be in superb condition and the players will relish the experience of negating the fantastic layout. I wish all the participating teams the very best and hope they all have a comfortable stay in Dubai,” he added.
Mustafa Al Hashimi, Club Manager of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, was equally upbeat about the event, saying: “We are delighted to be part of this prestigious tournament which will showcase the rising standard of the game in our region. Since its opening in 1993, the club has hosted a number of major tournaments, including the Dubai Desert Classic (in 1999 and 2000). This championship will once again put the spotlight on Dubai as a world class golfing destination and we at the club look forward to welcoming the players and hope they will return home with good memories of their experience here.”
Teams from all six GCC states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE — have already confirmed their participation in the championship which promises to produce a close battle for the honours.
Caption – Runner up UAE team at the 15th GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain last year
