UAE Plays Pivotal Role in Advancing Global Golf Development
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Tom Phillips, Director of the Middle East at the DP World Tour, has confirmed that the prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will move from its traditional January slot to a new date in November, in a strategic effort to enhance its global impact and support the development of golf across the region.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Phillips highlighted that for 18 consecutive years, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship has stood as one of the most prestigious events on the DP World Tour calendar, attracting world-class players and reinforcing the United Arab Emirates’ status as a premier golfing destination.
“In close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we made the strategic decision to move the Championship to November. This shift reflects our shared vision to further elevate the tournament’s stature and maximize its contribution to the regional and global growth of golf,” Phillips stated.
He explained that recent adjustments to the global golf calendar provided a timely opportunity to reposition the Championship. Aligning it with the DP World Tour Championship has created a two-week finale of world-class golf in the UAE, enhancing fan engagement, commercial value, and international visibility in an increasingly competitive sporting environment.
“This repositioning also reinforces the UAE’s role as a powerhouse in professional golf, with Abu Dhabi at the forefront,” Phillips noted. He emphasized that the new date ensures the Championship will enjoy greater momentum and integration as part of a broader festival of golf.
In addition, Phillips announced a long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation, building upon a relationship that dates back to 1989. The collaboration reflects a joint commitment to developing both grassroots and elite levels of the sport in the UAE.
As part of this initiative, 30 competitive player slots were allocated across two HotelPlanner Tour events in Abu Dhabi and Ajman, aimed at nurturing emerging Emirati talent. Some of these spots were exchanged with international golf federations, giving UAE players the opportunity to compete abroad and gain invaluable global experience.
A major highlight of this progress, Phillips said, was the historic achievement of Ahmad Skaik, the UAE’s top amateur golfer. Skaik became the first UAE-born player to make the cut in a 72-hole professional event during this year’s UAE Challenge at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club — a landmark moment for Emirati golf and a testament to the ongoing efforts to grow the sport nationally.
The rescheduling of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, combined with these developmental strides, positions the UAE as a dynamic and influential hub for professional golf on the global stage.
