The election was attended by representatives of the Asia-Pacific Golf Federation, the Arab Golf Federation, the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Also present were members of the Olympic Committee Executive Office, presidents of sports federations and clubs, distinguished guests, and members of the Iraqi Golf Federation General Assembly.

Board of Directors for the 2026–2030 Iraqi Golf Federation

Following the conclusion of the voting process, the newly elected Board of Directors for the 2026–2030 term was confirmed as follows:

Hamid Hanoun Owaish – President

Munar Riyadh Abdul Abbas – Vice President

Ali Shamsuddin Hassan – Board Member

Abbas Kurdi Shalaka – Board Member

Murtaza Fares Mahmoud – Board Member

Wamed Khaled Rahman – Board Member

Morteza Hamed Hanoun – Board Member

The Iraqi Golf Federation extended its congratulations to the newly elected President and Board members on receiving the confidence and support of the General Assembly.

The Federation expressed its confidence that the new leadership team will continue to advance the development of golf throughout Iraq, strengthen participation at all levels of the game, and contribute to the continued growth of Iraqi sport both nationally and internationally.

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Representing the Emirates Golf Federation, the Skaiks are among a growing contingent of Arab golfers competing on the international stage. They are joined in the field by Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla, Khalid Attieh, Faisal Salhab, and 12 Moroccan players, highlighting the increasing presence of Arab players in elite professional tournaments.

Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort

The US$500,000 tournament, being played from June 4-7 at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) and forms part of a three-event Moroccan swing that is helping create more opportunities for players from the region.

Ahmad Skaik

For Ahmad Skaik, the week marks another important step in his young professional career. The 29-year-old, who turned professional in December, comes into the event after making the cut at the am green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars 2026 last week, played at the same venue.

Adding to the occasion, Emirates Golf Federation elite squad head coach Faycal Serghini is on site and will caddie for Ahmad throughout the tournament.

Mohammad Skaik

19-year-old younger brother Mohammad enters the field as an amateur and one of just 11 amateurs competing among a 144-player field. He has competed in just four professional tournaments to date, including three starts on the HotelPlanner Tour. His participation alongside his older brother, Ahmad, represents another milestone for UAE golf, with the brothers continuing to lead the next generation of talent emerging from the Emirates.

The am green IGPL Bharath Classic is the second edition of the tournament and the eighth event of the 2026 Asian Tour season. The championship follows last week’s Morocco Rising Stars event and precedes next week’s International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco in Rabat.

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Cover star Chris Gotterup shares an honest look at the swing thoughts, misses and practice habits he’s working through, reminding us that even tour winners battle the same frustrations as everyday golfers.

We also explore the evolving world of professional golf, from Luis Masaveau’s move to LIV Golf to The Undercover Pro’s candid take on life beyond the PGA Tour rumour mill. Behind the scenes, we examine the changing face of tour life through the lens of the European Tour Performance Institute and the realities of making a living as a golf professional.

Closer to home, Golf During a Conflict looks at the resilience of the Middle East golf scene, while our travel features visit Al Mouj Golf and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open.

Instruction remains central, with lessons from J. J. Spaun, Aaron Rai and Phil Mickelson, plus our 2026 Hot List guide to the year’s best golf balls. We also continue celebrating regional golf through The Gulf Club and standout performances from across the Middle East.

All this and plenty more in the June 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your local golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

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The event once again produced a fantastic day of competitive golf, with strong scoring evident throughout the field and a tightly contested leaderboard across both divisions.

In the Net Division, Nick Hymas and Innes Harding carded an excellent 74 points to earn a well-deserved runner-up finish, while Benjamin Wall and Gregg Morris posted a solid 71 points total to claim third place after maintaining a steady challenge throughout the round.

In the Gross competition, Peter Martensson and David Marshall combined superbly to post 65 (gross) stableford points, securing top honours thanks to consistent scoring and an effective partnership throughout their round.

Elsewhere on the course, the individual contests added further excitement to the day’s play. Stuart Jackson claimed the Beat the Pro challenge on the 17th hole against Tommy Fleetwood Teaching Professional Joe O’Connor, while Martin McGuigan’s precision earned him Nearest the Pin on the 6th. Innes Harding followed up with another fine effort to take the honours on the 13th.

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Played on the club’s championship layout, the competition followed the traditional Waltz scoring format, with one score to count on the first hole, two scores on the second, three scores on the third, before the pattern repeated from hole four onwards. 

Claiming top spot with an impressive 89 points was the winning team of Martha Wong, Maura Duggan, Naima Maya and Rekha Bandopadhyay. The team produced a superb all-round performance, combining steady scoring with some standout moments across both nines. Their front nine featured two gross birdies alongside seven net birdies. They continued to build momentum coming home, adding a further nine net birdies on the back nine to cap off a commanding display and secure victory in style.

Finishing in runner-up position with 84 points was the team of Maria Dunkel, Yana Jamieson, Elvira Khaliullina and Victoria Anikina. Their challenge was built on a strong opening nine, where the team combined for nine net birdies to keep themselves firmly in contention. They then made a fast start to the back nine, highlighted by net eagles on the tenth hole from both Elvira and Victoria. With momentum firmly on their side, the team went on to add ten more net birdies over the closing stretch, rounding off an excellent team effort and a well-earned podium finish.

A close third place on 83 points went to Lady Captain Sonal Gandhi, Avani Shah, Aparna Mishra and Bhavna Jain, who also delivered an excellent performance from start to finish. The team recorded three net birdies on the front nine, with Sonal adding an early highlight through a net eagle on the second hole. They maintained their strong scoring pace on the front nine, carding nine net birdies across the back nine, while Avani contributed two further net eagles on holes thirteen and fifteen.

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With coveted Captain’s Trips to Vietnam among the standout prizes, the competition reached an exciting climax as members battled for top honours in the season finale.

Sai Pagdala

Sai Pagdala delivered an outstanding performance to secure victory in both the May Monthly Medal and Dimos Monthly Stableford competitions, posting an impressive net score of 67. SGSC Junior member Ye Liu claimed runner-up honours and topped Division A with a net 68, while Shoab Khan finished close behind on 69. Ramli Sulaiman captured the Best Gross award after carding an excellent gross 76.

The season-ending Order of Merit standings added further drama to the event, with several players still in contention heading into the final round.

In the Gross Order of Merit, Sami Butt produced a superb performance under pressure to clinch the title, edging out Amiya Ranjan on a scorecard playoff. Ranjan finished as runner-up, with George Liu taking third place overall.

Mukti Rai

Meanwhile, Mukti Rai secured the Net Order of Merit title after maintaining a strong lead throughout the season. Amiya Ranjan once again finished runner-up, while Bimal Jain earned a well-deserved place on the podium in third.

The club extended its appreciation to Dimos and Golfaway for their continued support in making the SGSC members events a major success throughout the season.

Congratulations were shared with all winners, participants, and supporters for another memorable season at SGSC.

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Blending sport, history, and global tourism, the golf course at Mena House is one of the few places in the world where golf is played in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The partnership between Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) and RTJ II reflects a shared commitment to elevating the course’s international profile while preserving its distinctive legacy.

Mena House has held a singular place in Egypt’s hospitality and sporting history since the late 19th century, when it began as a royal hunting lodge before opening to guests in the 1880s. For generations, its setting beside the Great Pyramid has drawn travelers, dignitaries, and golf enthusiasts from around the world.

Golf has been played at Mena House since 1899, making the course one of Egypt’s oldest golf venues. Its proximity to the Pyramids gives it a character unmatched anywhere else in the world.

The redesign will honor that history while reshaping Mena House for today’s golfers and resort guests. RTJ II’s plan introduces a more flexible golf experience with multiple ways to play, broadening the course’s appeal to families, juniors, and international visitors.

“Mena House Golf Course is unlike any other golf destination in the world. It combines heritage, hospitality, and one of the most iconic settings imaginable,” said Omar Hisham Talaat, Chief Business Development Officer for TMG. “With the Giza Pyramids as its backdrop, the course offers an extraordinary opportunity to create a golf experience that is both globally distinctive and deeply rooted in Egypt’s cultural legacy.”

“Golf is a key part of our broader vision for sustainable development and healthy lifestyles,” Talaat said. “As we continue to grow our golf portfolio—which includes Madinaty Golf Club, the 18-hole SouthMED course on Egypt’s North Coast, and Sharm Bay in Sharm El Sheikh—we see Mena House as a crown jewel, one that deserves the highest level of design excellence and international attention.”

“This partnership builds on our successful collaboration with RTJ II, which previously designed the Madinaty and SouthMED golf courses,” Talaat said. “It reflects our confidence in their global expertise and ability to deliver a world-class golfing experience.”

Trent Jones III, Chief Operating Officer of RTJ II, emphasised the importance of honouring the site’s legacy while shaping its future. “This is one of the most meaningful sites for golf anywhere in the world.  We are honoured to steward a course with more than 125 years of history and to shape its next chapter with care, precision, and creativity,” Jones said. “Our vision is to embrace the history of this awe-inspiring setting as golfers play beneath the 4700-year-old Pyramids. Mena House has all the ingredients that make golf memorable: history, landscape, atmosphere, and a setting people will never forget. Our focus is on designing a course that belongs in that place.”

Known for its unmatched views, each hole at Mena House offers dramatic perspectives of the pyramids, creating a playing experience that is as memorable as it is challenging. The renovation will further elevate the guest experience through thoughtful enhancements and upgraded infrastructure—all designed to maintain the course’s identity while meeting the expectations of today’s international golf traveller. 

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Delta Hotels St. Pierre Country Club

The deal includes Delta Hotels Breadsall Priory Country Club, Delta Hotels St. Pierre Country Club and Delta Hotels Tudor Park Country Club — all operated by Marriott International under its Delta Hotels brand.

Together, the resorts comprise 380 hotel rooms across more than 900 acres of countryside estate, further strengthening Select Group’s growing UK leisure portfolio. The Dubai-headquartered company now controls five UK golf resorts with more than 530 rooms, following earlier acquisitions of Old Thorns Hotel & Resort in Hampshire and The Mere Golf Resort & Spa in Cheshire.

Delta Hotels Tudor Park Country Club

While the value of the latest transaction was undisclosed, property data linked to the previous sale of the assets suggests the three resorts were collectively valued at close to £39 million in 2024. Breadsall Priory reportedly changed hands for £9.8 million, Tudor Park for £10.9 million and St. Pierre for £18.2 million as part of a wider £869 million UK hotel portfolio deal involving KKR and Baupost.

Founded in Dubai in 2002, Select Group has become one of the UAE’s most prominent private developers, delivering more than 20 million sq ft of residential and mixed-use projects across the UAE, Europe and the UK. Its developments include Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina and the Peninsula waterfront project in Business Bay.

The acquisition also underlines growing Gulf investor appetite for UK hospitality assets, particularly golf and wellness resorts, which are increasingly viewed as resilient long-term investments tied to experiential travel trends.

Israr Liaqat, chief executive of Select Group, described the UK golf resort sector as “a compelling long-term asset class”, citing the resorts’ established brands, large estates and loyal customer bases.

Select Group said it plans to invest in operational upgrades across the three properties, including enhancements to golf operations, wellness facilities, events and guest experience, while Marriott International will continue to manage the resorts.

Industry forecasts estimate the global golf tourism market will grow from US$24.8 billion in 2026 to US$39.2 billion by 2036, driven by rising demand for integrated leisure and wellness destinations.

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Men’s Division

The Men’s Division produced one of the most fiercely contested season-long battles in recent memory. Rayan Ahmed claimed the Order of Merit title in a nail-biting finish, finishing on 1,860.50 points to edge out Adrian Larson by just 2.75 points. Larson mounted a remarkable charge towards the end of the campaign, registering three wins in an exceptional closing run and finishing on 1,857.75 points — but it was not quite enough to deny Ahmed at the top.

Rounding out the podium, J. Mullane claimed the Order of Merit Championship event — the final tournament of the year — delivering a standout performance when it mattered most. Mullane finished the season on 1,769.76 points, 90.74 points adrift of first place, a testament to the extraordinary consistency Ahmed and Larson showed throughout the full season.

1st — Rayan Ahmed | Season Champion | 1,860.50 pts\
2nd — Adrian Larson | 3 wins | 1,857.75 pts
3rd — J. Mullane | 1 win (OoM Championship) | 1,769.76 pts

Ladies’ Division

Sana Tufail delivered a truly dominant season in the Ladies’ Division, claiming seven wins from her starts — a conversion rate exceeding 50% — to finish atop the standings on an impressive 1,984 points. Her consistency and winning record set a remarkably high benchmark across the entire EGF circuit.

Alayna Rafique put together a fantastic campaign of her own, securing four wins across the season to finish second with 1,654 points — 330 points behind the champion. Imogen Hall completed the top three, finishing on 1,503 points in a closely contested podium battle.

1st — Sana Tufail | 7 wins | 1,984 pts
2nd — Alayna Rafique | 4 wins | 1,654 pts
3rd — Imogen Hall | 1,503 pts

Boys’ Division A

Rayan Ahmed produced a remarkable double, taking the Boys’ Division A title alongside his Men’s Division crown — a rare achievement that underlines his status as one of the most talented players on the EGF circuit. Ahmed recorded three wins and totalled 1,706 points to claim top spot.

The division’s podium was extraordinarily tight. Keiran Gouri matched Ahmed’s three wins and finished just 52 points behind on 1,653 points, while Alexander Rushika sat a single point further back on 1,652 — making this one of the closest three-way finishes across all divisions this season.

1st — Rayan Ahmed | 3 wins | 1,706 pts
2nd — Keiran Gouri | 3 wins | 1,653 pts
3rd — Alexander Rushika | 1 win | 1,652 pts

Girls’ Division A

Assia Salim topped the Girls’ Division A standings with two wins and 1,641 points. Loomi Lee of Finland impressed with four wins across the season to accumulate 1,578 points in second place. Leah McCallum completed the top three with three wins and 1,490 points, making this a division marked by competitive depth and multiple winners throughout the season.

1st — Assia Salim | 2 wins | 1,641 pts
2nd — Loomi Lee (FIN) | 4 wins | 1,578 pts
3rd — Leah McCallum | 3 wins | 1,490 pts

Boys’ Division B

Eugenio Galeppini turned in a commanding season in Boys’ Division B, claiming two wins and finishing on 1,503 points to take the title with a clear margin over the rest of the field. Pranet Mandge came in second on 1,232 points, with Max Rodgers claiming third with one win and 1,108 points.

1st — Eugenio Galeppini | 2 wins | 1,503 pts
2nd — Pranet Mandge | 1,232 pts
3rd — Max Rodgers | 1 win | 1,108 pts

Girls’ Division B

Aarya Ganguly produced arguably the most eye-catching individual season across all divisions. In just six starts, she recorded five wins — an extraordinary 83% win rate — to amass 1,728 points and claim the Girls’ Division B title convincingly. Her performances set a new standard for dominance on the junior circuit.

Ishika Kaul secured second place with one win and 1,236 points, while Victoria Rushika rounded out the top three, completing a podium that showcased exciting junior talent across the board.

1st — Aarya Ganguly | 5 wins (from 6 starts) | 1,728 pts
2nd — Ishika Kaul | 1 win | 1,236 pts
3rd — Victoria Rushika

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The Golf Sixes League, supported by The R&A and delivered by the Emirates Golf Federation, provides a fun and engaging team-based environment for young golfers, helping introduce competitive golf through a shorter six-hole format focused on participation, teamwork, and player development.

Round Two of the Abu Dhabi Pool was hosted at Yas Links Golf Club, where Yas Acres Golf Club delivered a strong performance to secure first place with a score of +8. Abu Dhabi City Golf Club followed closely behind on +9, while Yas Links Golf Club completed the top three positions on +10.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Pool competition took place at Emirates Golf Club, with Claude Harmon III Academy continuing their impressive season form to finish first on +5. Emaar and Montgomerie Golf Club shared second-place scores of +9, separated on countback.

Round Two – Results

Dubai Pool

1st – Claude Harmon III Academy (+5)

2nd – Emaar (+9)

3rd – Montgomerie Golf Club (+9)

Abu Dhabi Pool

1st – Yas Acres Golf Club (+8)

2nd – Abu Dhabi City Golf Club (+9)

3rd – Yas Links Golf Club (+10)

Click here to see the GolfSixes League UAE 2026, Team Standings.

Following the summer break, teams will return for Round Three of the Golf Sixes League, after which the top three teams from each regional pool will qualify for the season-ending Golf Sixes Championship Final.

In an exciting development for the program, the Championship Final will be hosted alongside a HotelPlanner Tour event, providing participating junior golfers with the opportunity to experience a professional tournament environment and further strengthening the connection between grassroots and elite-level golf within the UAE.

The Emirates Golf Federation remains committed to expanding junior golf participation and strengthening its player development pathway through initiatives such as Golf Sixes, which continues to provide young golfers with valuable competitive and team experiences across the UAE.

The federation extends its appreciation to all participating clubs, players, coaches, parents, volunteers, and partners for their continued support throughout the season.

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