Eight UAE team members hoping to impress at Faldo Championship

Sport360 staff 01:27 28/03/2016
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  • 58 players will take part in the Faldo Series Middle East Championship.

    Eight United Arab Emirates (UAE) national golf team members will compete in 2016 Faldo Series Middle East Championship, when it starts at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shoot and Golf Club course from Monday.

    The 54-hole, three-day stroke play event, which is supported by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), will feature an international field of 58 players, spreading over five divisions. And the quality competition is surely going to add to the experience of the UAE players.

    Representing the UAE in the Boys Under-21 Division will be Abdulla Al Qubaisi. He played in this event last year and had a strong showing, but will be looking to better that and is aiming for a top-three finish.

    Saeed Al Balooshi, who has been a member of the UAE National team for a few years now, will compete in the Boys Under-18 Division, while there are four players in the Boys Under-16 Division – Mahmood Skaik, Mohammed Abdulla Saeed, Rashid Al Emadi and Obaid Al Heloo. The 11-year-old Al Heloo will be the youngest player for the UAE.

    The UAE will also have representation in the Girls Under-16 Division. Tara Al Mazooqi and Reema Al Heloo, who are coming off a Gold Medal performance in the Ladies GCC Golf Championships, will look to continue their strong run this season.

    Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, EGF Secretary General, said: “The Faldo Series is a great opportunity for all junior golfers in the UAE and the region.

    “To have a junior event in the UAE that counts toward the World Amateur Rankings is important for the EGF and allows players to showcase their skills on an international stage.

    “Our players are young for their divisions but this will be a good learning experience for them. It is a true testament of the National Team Development to have eight players playing this year after only having one last year.”

    Six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who conceptualized the series, said: “One of the main objectives of the Faldo Series is to provide opportunities for young aspiring golfers.

    “Last year we saw 27 different nationalities including Emirati at this event. We are looking forward to the growth of the event this year. We remain focused on the development of the Faldo Series globally and introducing the lessons and opportunity of this sport”.

    The event is open to all spectators with tee times starting at 8:30am.

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