(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) – On February 27, - March 1, 2014 the United Arab of Emirates (UAE) National Teams traveled to Dirab Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia to defend their GCC Golf Championship Junior Title. Looking to make it back to the top was the Senior Team after winning the championship in 2012. With teams from Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain the UAE National Teams, representing the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), had their work cut out for them at the 18th GCC Golf Championship.
The UAE National Teams arrived in Saudi Arabia on February 25, 2014, giving them adequate time to practice and get use to their surroundings before the competition began. After two solid days of practice the National Teams set the tone early in round one as the Junior Team lead the way in their division, shooting a gross score of 157 and net score of 148. The Senior Team was in third place with a gross score of 231 and net score of 226 after the first round. Both Abdulla Al Quabaisi (Abu Dhabi, UAE) of the Junior Team and Khalid Yousef (Dubai, UAE) of the Senior Team shot opening rounds of 74, 2-over par.
The second round was much of the same as both teams continued to play strong. The Junior Team remained in first place as the Senior Team slipped one spot into fourth place. Going into the final round of the championship the National Teams were mentally strong and up to the pressure. Finishing strong, the Junior Team captured the Gold in the team gross category and won back-to-back championships at the GCC Golf Championship. The Senior Team fought hard but fell short, taking home the forth place prize.
Representing the Senior Team for the 2014 GCC Golf Championship was Khalid Yousef (Dubai, UAE) Sohail Al Marzouqi (Dubai, UAE), Rashid Hamood (Dubai, UAE), and Hassan Al Musharreckh (Dubai, UAE). The Junior Team was composed of Abdulla Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Ahmad Skaik (Dubai, UAE), and Saeed Al Balooshi (Dubai, UAE).
The UAE Junior Team stole the show and the weekend as the young gentleman won the prominent status of back-to-back titles for the UAE in the team gross category. The Junior Team won by dominating 7 strokes. Abdulla Al Quabaisi shot rounds of 74-85-75 for an event total of 234, gross score. Abdulla won the second place prize in the individual gross category. Follow Abdulla’s lead was Ahmad Skaik, Ahmad shot rounds of 83-78-78 for a championship total of 239. Ahmad took the third place award for the individual gross category.
UAE Junior National Team Wins the Gold at the 2014 GCC Golf Championship; Senior Team takes 4th Place
2014 GCC Golf Championship