King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia: Ahmad Skaik produced an historic performance to claim the individual gold medal in emphatic style at the 2025 Men’s and Youth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Golf Championship.
With rounds of 67, 69, 66 and a closing 68, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team stalwart posted a four-round aggregate of 18-under-par 270 at Saudi Arabia’s Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
In so doing, he had the distinction of posting the lowest score ever recorded in the championship and also the biggest winning margin, 15 shots clear of his closest challenger. Throughout the week, he made one eagle, 21 birdies and just five bogeys.
His performance also was instrumental in helping the UAE win its first ever team gold medal in the championship.
“This, by far, is my best score in a tournament. Shooting all four rounds in the 60s was something I’ve wanted to accomplish,” said Skaik, a member of the UAE teams at the Asian Games and World Amateur Team Championship in 2023 and last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup.
“I was hitting the ball very well all week, especially off the tee, which gave me a lot of wedges for my approach shots and my putter was on,” added Skaik.
In the individual category, Jonathan Selvaraj (four-over 292) captured the bronze medal, one shot ahead of fourth-placed Sam Mullane. Rayan Ahmed rounded out the UAE men’s team, finishing sixth on nine-over 297.
Thanks to those efforts, the UAE men’s team swept to the gold medal with a total of 20-under-par. That was 37 strokes clear of Qatar in the silver medal position. Bahrain won the bronze medal.
In the Under-18 segment (Youth Division), Team UAE took the bronze medal. Leading the way was Mohammed Thabet whose 22-over-par total of 310 was good enough to claim the individual bronze. Abdulla Kalbat finished ninth with Abdulla Salmeen in 15th place.
General Abdullah Al-Hashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: “We have truly shattered records with an incredible performance. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible players for their hard work and determination. Special appreciation to the entire coaching staff and my warmest congratulations to our Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak, for his leadership and dedication.
“This was a true team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder. As Vice Chairman of the Federation, it fills me with immense pride to witness such achievements. Let’s keep this momentum going and continue striving for excellence.”
The 27th edition of the Men’s Championship was played over four rounds, with the best three daily scores from each four-man team being counted. The 16th edition of the Youth Championship was played over three rounds, with the best two daily scores from each three-player team being counted.