Musharekh brothers spearhead challenge

Members of the UAE national team, spearheaded by Ahmed Al Musharekh, are confident of mounting a serious challenge when they line up for honours in the Sheikh Rashid Trophy that gets under way on Thursday.

In-form Ahmed will join his elder brother Abdullah, the winner of the recent UAE National Championship, and a consistent Khalid Yousuf among others in leading the UAE assault on the flagship Emirates Golf Federation’s event.

Fresh from competing in the Asian Amateur Championship and the MENA Golf Tour where he performed creditably, Ahmed believes time has come for national golfers to inscribe their names on the prestigious trophy.

“No UAE national has won the event since its inception in 1998, but if could be a different story this time around. If we all play to our potential, we can go the full distance. We are confident, but we are not taking things for granted,” said Ahmed, who posted his best-ever 24th place in the recent Asian Amateur Championship held in Singapore.

“We know the field is studded with a number of talented players, hence we need to be very consistent all three days. All I can say it will be a great contest.”

Sponsored by Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, the premier event will be played at three different courses in Dubai. The first round will be held at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club on Thursday, November 17, the second at The Els Club on November 18 while Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa will host the finale on Saturday, November 19.

Included in the high-profile field are defending champion Michael Harradine, young Daniel Hendry and host of other single-digit handicapper from the UAE and overseas.

“We have one of strongest fields ever assembled for this event which clearly reflects on the popularity of the event,” said Saeed Albudoor.“With so many top-class amateurs contesting for honours, I am sure the battle will go down to the wire before the champion is crowned.

The tournament will not only showcase the rising standards of the game here, but also the superb facilities at all the three courses,” said Albudoor.

The tournament is a 54-hole men’s Gross strokeplay event. The cut will be made after 36 holes with top 30 and ties making it to the final round. Entries from countries like Oman, Kuwait, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia and Scotland have added an international flavour to it.

Open to amateur golfers holding a valid handicap of 18 or below, the event has its own added incentives as it’s a qualifier for the World Amateur Ranking Order of Merit and a part of the EGF Order of Merit.

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