UAE to Host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship with Historic Emirati Participation, Reinforcing the Arab Golf Presence on the Global Stage

Dubai - The United Arab Emirates continues to cement its position as a global hub for golf with the hosting of the 16th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, set to take place at The Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, from 23–26 October 2025. The event will witness a historic milestone, with five Emirati players representing the national team — marking the largest-ever Arab participation in the championship’s history.

This prestigious event returns to the UAE for the second time, following the successful 2021 edition, reaffirming the nation’s reputation as a world-class sporting destination and a trusted partner for international golf bodies. The championship is organized by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), The R&A, and The Masters Tournament, underscoring its global significance and competitive stature.

Representing the UAE are Ahmad Skaik, Rayan Ahmed, Abdullah Kaebet, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Sam Mullane, all of whom are set to compete at the highest level among the region’s finest amateurs. The winner of the championship will earn an invitation to compete in the 2026 Masters Tournament, a direct entry into The 154th Open Championship, and a place in The 131st Amateur Championship, while the runner-up will qualify for The Open Qualifying Series — providing a remarkable pathway to professional golf.

This year’s hosting highlights the UAE’s growing influence in developing golf across the Arab world. Through the Emirates Golf Federation, the country continues to invest in expanding grassroots participation, nurturing emerging talents, and creating opportunities for regional players to compete on international platforms.

The championship also aligns with the Arab Golf Federation’s vision to elevate the sport across the region, empower youth, and build a sustainable ecosystem that can produce future Arab champions capable of competing globally.

Officials from the Emirates Golf Federation expressed their pride in welcoming the event back to Dubai, noting that hosting it on The Majlis Course — the Middle East’s first all-grass course and home to the iconic Dubai Desert Classic — adds further prestige and symbolic value. Over the years, this course has witnessed victories by golfing legends such as Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Ernie Els, the latter holding the course record of 61.

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship has a distinguished legacy of producing world-class golfers, including Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner and 2021 Masters Champion, and Cameron Smith, The Open Champion of 2022. Since its inception in 2009, graduates of the championship have collectively won over 33 PGA Tour titles and more than 140 professional events worldwide.

The 2025 edition thus represents a continuation of that legacy — and a powerful statement of confidence in the UAE’s ability to deliver exceptional sporting events.

The Arab Golf Federation commends the United Arab Emirates and the Emirates Golf Federation for their tireless efforts in promoting golf development both regionally and internationally. Hosting such high-caliber championships serves as a strategic milestone toward achieving the Federation’s broader mission: to nurture the next generation of Arab champions and strengthen the region’s global presence in the sport.

The event marks yet another testament to the UAE’s leadership in sports excellence and its unwavering commitment to positioning the Arab world as a rising force in global golf.