The drama unfolded at Abu Dhabi Golf Club at the wekkend where Ahmad Skaik was crowned champion as he retained his UAE Presidents Cup title in a field of more than 100 UAE national golfers.

The 11th edition certainly lived up to the hype as Skaik triumphed after an 18-hole playoff for his third Presidents Cup crown in four years.

Alai Al Emadi also defended her title in the Ladies Division, while Rashed al Naqbi won the Junior Division.    

The Emirates Golf Federation-hosted event saw the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Social Development’s Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan join Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi and chief sponsor HSBC UAE’s Najeeb Busheri for the ceremonies.

Players fought it out in junior, ladies, senior  and elite divisions alongside the Future Falcons 9-Hole Championship on the Garden Course, as well as the Future Falcons skills challenge.

Following a scoring error on Sunday night, Ahmad Skaik and Hassan Al Musharrekh were called back to the course on Wednesday for the playoff. Skaik triumphed with a 2-under 70.

“Golf is a crazy sport, and you must be able to adapt to certain things to overcome the hurdles that the sport throws at you,” he said. “This weekend was a great example of that. It is great to be back on the course full-time. I wanted to use this Championship to show everyone that I’m healthy again and ready for the rest of the year, I think I did that. I want to thank Hassan, he’s a great competitor and a brother of mine on the National Team, we have a lot to accomplish together this year. It’s always an honour to win the UAE Presidents Cup and I am grateful for all the support that I have received from the EGF and entire the UAE. I’d like to thank my family, coaches, and of course my teammates for pushing me and making me a better person on and off the course.”

Behind Al Musharrekh, Saif Thabit rounded out the podium with a total gross score of 155.

Defending her title and winning the Ladies Division for the third year straight was Al Emadi, whose 165 total was good enough for top prize, while Al Naqbi walked away with the Junior Division title ahead of Sultan Al Jassmy

General Abdullah Alhashmi, Vice-Chairman of the EGF had this to say following the championship. “Congratulations to all of the winners. On behalf of the Emirates Golf Federation, we would like to thank HSBC for its continued support of this amazing championship. This weekend is a true celebration of UAE golf. Thank you to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and to The Westin, Abu Dhabi for hosting our players and families. Lastly, thank you to Abu Dhabi Sports Council and eGolf Megastore for enhancing our championship. UAE golf is moving forward, we have a lot of work to do, but together with our partners and stakeholders we will achieve our goals.”