Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Five golfers will fly the flag for the UAE on home soil this October, as Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Abdulla Kalbat and Rayan Ahmed tee off at the 16th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, hosted at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course from October 23 to 26.
Created in 2009, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was established by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), The R&A and the Masters Tournament to further develop amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific region.
The champion will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters Tournament and an exemption into The 154th Open; the runner(s)-up will receive an exemption into The Open Qualifying Series; the top-three finishers will receive an exemption into The 131st Amateur Championship.
Skaik is no stranger to the Championship, making his sixth appearance in the prestigious event. One of his standout moments came at the 2021 edition at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, where he became just the second Emirati to make the cut – a decade after Ahmed Al Musharrekh etched his name in the history books at Singapore Island Country Club.
Skaik’s UAE National Team teammate, Ahmed, added to that history on his debut at Japan’s Taiheiyo Club last year, becoming the third player representing the UAE to make the cut. His achievement was marked by special congratulations from Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley and Emirates Golf Federation Vice Chairman General Abdullah Alhashmi.
Kalbat also made his Championship debut last year, while both Mullane and Selvaraj are set to make their first appearances this year on home soil. “I’m really excited, it’s always special to play significant events like this on home soil,” said Skaik.
“I know the Majlis Course well, and it’s an incredible venue with a rich history of hosting some of the world’s best players. I’m thrilled to have the chance to compete there for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, and I can imagine the other players feel the same.”
Alongside the UAE quintet, players from an additional 41 APGC member organisations have accepted invitations, with 116 players confirmed thus far for the 120-player field. The field is highlighted by Harry Takis of Australia, 2024 runner-up Ziqin Zhou of China, Kent Hsiao of Chinese Taipei, Jeffrey Shen of Hong Kong, China, Rayhan Latief of Indonesia, Taisei Nagasaki, Taishi Moto and Rintaro Nakano of Japan, and Fifa Laopakdee, Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat and Chanachon Chokprajakchat of Thailand. Representatives from four countries have claimed titles at the Asia-Pacific Amateur, including China with five victories, Australia and Japan with four each and the Republic of Korea with two.
