Emirates Golf Federation News

UAE Nationals’ Golf Championship renamed as the Presidents Cup

The UAE Nationals’ Golf Championship, one of the premier tournaments on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) calendar, has secured the blessings of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and will now be known as The Presidents Cup. Apart from a new name, The Presidents Cup also has a new sponsor and a new venue this year. The 36-hole strokeplay tournament, open only to Emirati golfers is being supported by HSBC, one of the biggest global sponsors of the game and title sponsors of last week’s Abu Dhabi HDBC Golf Championship.

This year’s tournament, where Abdullah Al Musharrekh is the defending champion, will be played at the stunning Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club – another first for the tournament – on January 25-26.

EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak al Shamsi commented: “The Presidents Cup is the flagship event of Emirates Golf Federation and we are greatly honoured and delighted to get the blessings of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This is not just fantastic news for the tournament, but also for EGF and golf in the country.

“And to have a company like HSBC sponsoring the tournament just takes it to another level. We have seen what they have done with any tournament they are associated with, and I am sure the EGF will benefit from this association.”

As many as 60 National golfers are expected to take part, including all members of the UAE national team, the junior national team and several EGF board members.

EGF chairman H.E. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi will hit the inaugural tee shot at 12 noon on Friday, January 25, on the first tee in the company of vice-chairman Adel Zarouni. Khalid Mubarak al Shamsi will also participate in the tournament.

Apart from Abdulla Al Musharrekh, all other members of the National team – Khalid Yousuf, Sohail Al Marzouqi, Hassan Al Musharrekh, Saif Thabet, Saeed Malik, Faris Al Mazrui, Nabil Sharif and Faisal Al Marzouqi – will be seen in action. Yousuf is a three-time champion and would be looking at adding a fourth crown this week.

The tournament assumes added significance because of the upcoming 17th GCC Golf Championship, to be held at Muscat Hills in Oman from February 24-26. The UAE are the defending champions.

Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Ahmed Albudoor, Ahmad Skaik, Fathi Skaik, Obaid Khalid, Omar Al Shehhi and Saeed Al Balooshi – all members of the UAE junior national team – will battle for the top honours in the junior division. All these players have come up from EGF’s highly successful National Junior Development Program.

Caption – defending champion, Abdulla Al Musharrekh at the prize presentation in 2011

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