Manila, Philippines: Aasiya Saleem and Rayan Ahmed, rising stars of UAE golf, earned high praise for their encouraging performances at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Junior Championships.
The duo’s impressive displays at The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club underscores the rising level of talent emerging from the UAE golf scene.
While 15-year-old Saleem finished in a share of fifth place in the Girls’ Division, 17-year-old Ahmed was joint 14th in the Boys’ Division.
Saleem, the Montgomerie Golf Club’s Ladies Club Champion, shot rounds of 74, 70 and 72 over the 6,045-yard, par-72 Legends Course in Manila, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
After slipping to four-over-par through two holes of her second round, Saleem showed her mettle as she covered the final 34 holes in four-under.
With the boys playing from tees measuring 7,053 yards, Ahmed, who competed in the US Amateur Championship and the US Junior Amateur Championship during the summer, had rounds of 73, 79 and 70.
Also representing the UAE in the Philippines were Mohammad Skaik (tied 25th among the boys after rounds of 79, 75 and 80) and Anca Mateui (26th among the girls, 79, 83 and 83).
UAE National Coach Cameron Van Rooyen said: “I have been impressed with the work ethic from all four UAE players. They’ve all gathered valuable international experience.
“This is an elite standard for their age group and we must say well done to them all. This will hopefully provide a good platform for the busy UAE golfing calendar ahead of them.
“The competition was strong, the standard of golf was high, and the wet weather conditions were a new challenge for the UAE players.”
The championship was open to juniors aged 17 or under and involved representation from Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong China, India, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, hosts the Philippines and the UAE as well as a guest invite to the European Golf Association.
The Girls’ Division was won by Hong Kong China’s Arianna Lau for the second year in succession, while Thailand’s Teerawut Boonseeor claimed the Boys’ title. The mixed team event was won by the Korean duo of An Seong-hyeon and Oh Soo-min.
*Article contributed by Khaleej Times.
