The annual event pits 16 leading UAE-based PGA professionals against leading 16 Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) amateur golfers in a Ryder Cup style showdown.
This year’s tournament will once again be played on the two Dubai Golf courses – the Saturday foursomes and fourballs at the Faldo course, followed by Sunday’s singles at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
This is the 17th edition of the tournament that was first played in the year 2000 at Dubai Creek, and the Amateurs have won the trophy only twice – in 2005 and 2007.
Last year, the Professionals dominated and secured an impressive victory with a final score of 18.5 to 13.5, which means that they have now taken home the last eight consecutive trophies.
But with several exciting young stars in his team, captain Chris Alderman, sounded very optimistic about their chances this weekend.
The Amateur team is a great mix of experience and youth, showcasing the finest talent in the region.
Four of the players are under 18 years of age, with 16-year-old rising star Rayhan Thomas playing in his fourth Dubai Golf Trophy and in great form. He recently finished second overall in a MENA Tour event in Thailand.
Chris Rahm, Tiago Lobo and Matthew Baxter make up this exciting young quartet, supported by veterans like Craig Vance, Miki Mirza, Bayhaan Lakdawala and Mike Robson.
With the experience of playing in three previous tournaments, Alderman said: “This year, the team is filled with youth and some newly added veterans. The change I see in the team this year is that we have some of our young guns returning, who now have gained valuable experience over the last few years playing DGT and other regional match play within their host clubs and the fantastic UAE regional scratch league competitions.