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The Saudi Amateur Open, organised by the Saudi Golf Federation, concluded on Friday at Dirab Golf Club after three days of intense competition from December 3 to 5.
The event saw widespread participation from male and female players across the Kingdom and the Arab world, alongside several internationally ranked golfers — underscoring the growing role of local tournaments in advancing the game and serving as a key pathway for talent development from amateur to professional ranks.
This year’s edition reinforced the ongoing efforts of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation to build a comprehensive ecosystem for nurturing emerging talent by offering a competitive platform designed to develop players’ skills and competitive experience. The championship also formed a pivotal stop within the Arab Golf Series, sanctioned by the Arab Golf Federation, granting players official regional ranking points that enhance their standings and increase their chances of progressing to higher-tier tournaments across the region and internationally.
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The championship witnessed strong competition across multiple categories. In the junior girls’ division, Palestine’s Yasmeen Thaher claimed the top spot after a consistent performance throughout the tournament. Saudi Arabia’s Lana Al-Misbahy secured second place, followed by Slovakia’s Maja Markovich in third.
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In the junior boys’ division, Egypt’s Alaa Eldin Salama delivered an outstanding showing to take first place, while Ireland’s Owen Clancy and Italy’s Francesco Muro rounded out the podium in second and third, respectively.
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The women’s division saw a remarkable display of talent, culminating in Tunisia’s Ghazlan Saqi winning the title with a well-balanced performance across all three rounds. Lebanon’s Lara Al-Bakhour placed second, and Scotland’s Emma Tully secured third.
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In the premier men’s division, Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela delivered a dominant performance to clinch the overall title. Qatar’s Saleh Al-Kaabi finished runner-up, with Egypt’s Adam El-Shamy taking third place.
The championship highlighted its growing importance as a strategic platform for player development, with noticeable improvements in performance levels and a deeper understanding of the technical demands required to compete at higher levels. Several standout players from the tournament are now poised to compete in next week’s Saudi Open, presented by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — a significant step in their transition from local to professional competition.
Wrapping up the championship, the organising committee expressed its appreciation to Dirab Golf Club for hosting the tournament, and extended gratitude to the organising teams, coaches, volunteers, and parents whose support was instrumental in the success and player development witnessed during the event.
Through its current edition, the Saudi Amateur Open has reaffirmed its status as a cornerstone in the Kingdom’s talent development pipeline, helping uncover new players capable of representing Saudi Arabia and the wider region at elite international events in the near future.
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Main Image: Arab Golf Federation
