Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: The UAE CUP has been hailed as setting new standards for amateur golf in the region.
“This tournament has been an incredible milestone for golf in the UAE, bringing together talent from around the world and inspiring our next generation of players,” said General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).
General Abdullah, who also acts as a Board Member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, added: “It’s an honour to see such high-calibre competition here, and I’m proud of our national golfers who performed so well on home soil.
“The UAE CUP, sponsored by HSBC, has set a new standard for amateur golf in the region. Seeing the skills displayed over these past few days has been both inspiring and a testament to the growth of golf in our nation. I look forward to seeing this tournament flourish in the years to come.”
Showcasing elite amateur talent from the UAE and around the globe, the inaugural UAE CUP was staged at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
In the Men’s Elite division, Australian Coby Carruthers fired a bogey-free opening round of 66 en route to claiming a four-stroke victory with an eight-under-par aggregate.
His win has secured him a spot in an upcoming Challenge Tour event and qualification for the Asian Tour’s Q-School Final Stage in December.
In the Ladies Elite division, Thailand’s Prim Prachnakorn delivered an equally impressive performance, finishing at four-under to take top honours and earn an invitation to compete in an upcoming Ladies European Tour event.
The UAE Nationals tournament, held over the final two days, showcased top-tier golf across 36 holes, with standout performances in each division.
Sam Mullane, the leading UAE player at the Nomura Cup in Vietnam a fortnight ago, claimed the men’s title, Intissar Rich took the ladies’ crown, General Abdullah Al Hashmi emerged victorious in the seniors’ category, and Mohammed Thabet triumphed among the juniors.
Over the weekend, the Future Falcons hosted two Par-3 Championships, featuring more than 90 talented young golfers in both a mixed and a UAE Nationals edition.
The Nationals tournament saw Maitha Almaazmi claim victory in the Girls’ Red category, while Mansoor Al Awadhi took the top spot in the Boys’ Red category. Shamma Al Hosani triumphed in the Girls’ Blue category, and Zayed Ali Abubaker won the Boys’ Blue category.
In the Open tournament, Yasmeen El Husseini won the Girls’ Red Gross category, George Pendleton Nash secured the Boys’ Blue Gross title, and Mohammad Ayaan took first place in the Mixed Net Championship.
As well as setting new standards, EGF officials said the first edition of the UAE CUP highlighted the country’s commitment to excellence in sports and youth development. "With robust support from HSBC and a clear focus on nurturing future talent, this event has not only inspired young golfers but also reinforced the UAE’s position as a burgeoning hub for competitive golf," said the EGF.
The EGF was formed in 1995 and is the governing body of golf in the UAE. The EGF administrates and provides the United States Golf Association (USGA) Handicap System to all EGF members. The EGF also sanctions all amateur and professional golfing events and activities in the UAE.
A non-profit organisation with the goals and responsibility of increasing awareness and participation in golf, the EGF actively conducts an Order of Merit Season, National Junior Development Programme, and Senior, Junior, and Ladies National Team Programmes.
