Dates confirmed for the third edition of Abu Dhabi Amateur Championships
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, UAE, 15th September 2020: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has begun preparations to welcome some of the world’s best amateur golfers, as they once again battle it out for top honours when the club hosts the 2020 Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship from 14th-16th December.
The Championship invites scratch golfers from around the world to compete for a chance to earn valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking points, as well as the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship title – and potentially, spots in the European Tour’s prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA for the champion and leading Emirati player.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront course, has provided a strong test of golf for the first two editions of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championships. The Gary Player-designed course respectfully harnesses the natural beauty of Saadiyat Island’s magnificent white sand beaches for a truly unique playing experience. Three saltwater lakes and sand dunes provide majestic on-course hazards, while more than 60 bunkers add to the difficultly of the challenging Par 72.
The 2019 event hosted at the Gary Player designed course, was bigger and better, with over 30 nationalities from across the globe competing over 54 holes in an individual strokeplay format. Local star Josh Hill, who became the youngest ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking event last year at the MENA Tour’s Al Ain Open, capped a memorable 2019 with a thrilling one-stroke triumph over Arjun Gupta to be crowned the second winner of the Championship following Dino Capazario’s triumph in 2018.
With the victory, Hill secured a spot in the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, where he became the youngest-ever participant in the event and enjoyed a practice round with then World No.1 Brooks Koepka.
Reflecting on winning the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship and playing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, Hill commented: “Winning the amateur championships and securing a spot in one of the largest European Tour events was an incredible way to cap off last year. Having the opportunity, as the youngest ever player, to compete alongside some of the best players in the world is an experience I will never forget.
“It’s exciting to be going back to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to compete, it’s one of the most challenging courses in the UAE so with the strong competition and course difficulty it’s an honest test of golf, you have to play well to win.”
Ahead of the third Amateur Championships, Matt Waters, Group Director of Golf for Troon Abu Dhabi, commented: “At Saadiyat Beach Golf Club we pride ourselves in delivering the world renowned Troon Experience, which largely consists of maintaining exceptional playing surfaces which we believe sets the course up to be the perfect Championship venue for a World Amateur Golf Ranking Tournament. We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming a vast array of elite amateur golfers to Abu Dhabi in December and to witness what we hope to be a thrilling tournament for all.”
To find out more information on the 2020 Abu Dhabi Amateur Championships, please contact Daniel Richards: golfevents.sbgc@aldargolf.com
ENDS
For more information about Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Golf Club, please visit: www.troonabudhabi.com
To watch the Abu Dhabi destination video, click here
About Troon
With global headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with more than 270 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specialising in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf, Honours Golf and Troon Privé properties located in 36 states and 31 countries. Additionally, 56 Troon facilities featuring 79 courses enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications.
With Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and Dubai UAE, Troon International is committed to developing Troon’s presence throughout the world. This rapidly expanding division now oversees operations at 47 courses in 18 countries including England, Scotland, Spain, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and South Korea with further expansion planned across all regions.