By Kent Gray
Players representing 18 nations teed it up in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship last December, wooed by the promise of valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. The lure will be even greater when Saadiyat Beach Golf Club hosts the second edition of the 54-hole strokeplay event from Dec. 15-18.

In addition to WAGR points, two spots in the 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA will be on the line. The starts in the European Tour’s opening Rolex Series event of the new season will go to Dino Capazario’s successor as champion and the amateur championship’s leading Emirati player. 

Reigning Open champion Shane Lowry is expected to defend the Falcon Trophy at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from Jan. 16-19. The announcement that Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson will play in the Saudi International later in Jan. also raises the prospect that the world No.1 and No.3 will return to join Lowry at the $7 million Abu Dhabi stop, ensuring an incredible experience for the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship winners.

“This is another hugely exciting opportunity for upcoming golfers to test their skills against some of the very best players in the world at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA,” said H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

“Attracting more players and fans to the game of golf is an important part of the continued growth of the tournament and having local talent teeing off alongside some of the biggest names in the sport will create even more interest in the championship.”

The announcement comes as the Troon managed trinity of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi gear up for a busy season includes major tour and tourism events.

The third edition of the €18,000 Abu Dhabi Pro-Am presented by Troon Golf  is scheduled for February 3-6. 2020. The Abu Dhabi Golf Festival follows from Feb. 7-14.

“There’s always a great buzz in the region when the golfing season officially gets underway. As well as playing three world-class golf courses, off the course there is also so much for visitors to do and celebrate. From the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to watching the world’s best golfers play Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January, once again Abu Dhabi will prove itself as not only a golfing location, but also a fantastic destination with lots on offer for visitors,” said Francisco de Lancastre David, Cluster General Manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

“The Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship will certainly kick start a brilliant schedule of golfing events too, and with the added incentive for players to earn spots at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, it’s bound to add another dimension to the event and further boost the profile of golf in the region. We thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for raising the profile of the event.”

Capazario won the inaugural Abu Dhabi Amateur with a three-over-par 219 total last year, a shot ahead of then 14-year-old in Arjun Gupta and UAE National Team player Saif Thabet.