Rayan Ahmed – RAK Amateur Open – Tommy Dickson

Ahmed, representing the UAE, delivered a standout performance in the Men’s Division. He opened with a 71 before producing the low round of the tournament, a superb 64 in the second round that separated him from the field. A closing 73 sealed a 54-hole total of 208, eight under par, and a commanding nine-shot victory.

Sweden’s Adrian Larsson finished runner-up at 217 after rounds of 71, 74 and 72. England’s Oscar Craig placed third on 219 with three rounds of 73, while his brother Mo claimed fourth place at 220.

Alayna Rafique – RAK Amateur Open – Tommy Dickson

In the Women’s Division, England’s Alayna Rafique earned her Clutch Pro Tour start with a composed four-shot victory.

Rafique opened with a 71 to set the early pace and, despite a 77 in the second round, responded well with a closing 73 to finish at five over par, 221.

Alayna Rafique – Ras Al Khaimah Amateur Open – Tommy Dickson

Russia’s Aleksandra Sivova finished second at 225 following rounds of 73, 79 and 73.

The Ras Al Khaimah Amateur Open once again continues to provide a strong pathway for emerging players in the region and beyond.

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Ras Al Khaimah has recently garnered global attention when Al Hamra Golf Club hosted the DP World Tour on five occasions since 2022. It piqued the curiosity of players and travelling golfers, motivating them to take a second look at this course.

The Tour isn’t returning to Al Hamra in 2026, but the excitement the event brought to the emirate hasn’t faded. This afterglow, together with Ras Al Khaimah’s championship golf courses, nearly year-round sunshine, and beautiful coastline, make this emirate a great winter golf vacation destination.

Ras Al Khaimah Golf Trip Itinerary

Here’s a sample itinerary for a golf vacation in Ras Al Khaimah:

Stop 1: Al Hamra Golf Club

Al Hamra Golf Club

The Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah is a par-72, 18-hole championship golf course designed by renowned Swiss architect Peter Harradine. First opened in 2007, it is a tour-tested layout that hosted the DP World Tour in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the HotelPlanner Tour from 2016 to 2018.

What it’s like to play:

The entire course measures around 7,400 yards (6,698 meters), winding around four interconnected lagoons that merge with the Arabian Gulf. Its front nine holes measure 3,578 yards (3,271.72 meters) and make their way out from the clubhouse. It warms you up with broad fairways and breeze-influenced approach shots.

The back nine holes, measuring 3,747 yards (3,426.26 meters), is where things tighten and the course reveals its personality. Holes 12 to 15 form the stretch many golfers talk about: its water-hugging doglegs and approach shots are not for the hesitant golfers.

Architectural character:

• Five tee boxes on every hole
• Tournament-style green complexes
• Lagoon lines that influence club selection
• A composite 9-hole routing for late-afternoon loops
• A floodlit driving range and practice area

Al Hamra is the region’s first 100% plastic-free golf club, giving it an eco-edge now seen across most Middle Eastern courses.

Stop 2: Tower Links Golf Club

Tower Links Golf Course

Opened in 2004, Tower Links Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by landscape architect Gerald Williams. It is considered one of the most natural courses in the UAE, as its layout winds through a protected mangrove ecosystem framed by the Hajar Mountains.

The golf club hosted the MENA Tour from 2011 to 2016 and in 2019.

What it’s like to play:

The golf club covers 7,098 yards (6,490.41 meters) and features 11 courses winding through a mangrove area. Its greens are wavy and challenging, with many doglegs, water hazards, and curved sand bunkers.

The fairways bend around mangrove fingers, with wading birds frequently drifting across sightlines. The back nine holes look like a postcard you somehow get to walk through, especially at sunset.

Architectural character:

• Four tee options on every hole
• Eleven holes that interact directly with mangroves
• Water and bunkering that force commitment
• A separate teaching tee

The club is a cross between a desert and a parkland course.

Ras Al Khaimah hotels for golf holidays

Local experts from the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority recommend these top accommodation options near Al Hamra Golf Club:

• Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort — perfectly convenient for golfers, as it’s adjacent to the Al Hamra Golf Club.
• Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah — a luxury beachside resort with the easiest course access.
• The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach — offers villas for groups who want a secluded, post-round wind-down.
• Al Hamra Village Hotel — another hotel adjacent to the golf club that offers excellent views of the golf course and gardens.

The Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah is a top accommodation option for those who choose to play and stay near Tower Links Golf Club.

Off-course activities

In addition to playing golf, there are plenty of other things to do in the “Nature Emirate.” Here are some of them:

• Conquer the world’s longest zipline
• Experience gliding on six different ziplines
• Go on sky-high adventures aboard the EXTRA 330 or a hot air balloon
• Join sightseeing tours via an abra or speedboat
• Experience hiking and camping
• Take a pearl farm tour
• Embark on a desert safari
• Enjoy both exciting and relaxing activities on Ras Al Khaimah’s beaches

The emirate’s selection of spas offers soothing, rejuvenating treatments perfect for post-golf activities.

Side trip: Watch the 2026 DP World Tour – Dubai Swing

Ras Al Khaimah is about 1 to 1.5 hours from Dubai. It’s the perfect reason for a little road trip if you’re planning to watch the 2026 leg of the DP World Tour (the Dubai Invitational, from January 16 to 19, and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, from January 22 to 25).  

Winter weather conditions

The Ras Al Khaimah winter is made for long rounds. Average daytime temperatures range from 180C to 250C. At night, it can go as low as 120C. Although rare, it may rain.

Wind may also be present on the courses, but it won’t pose any problems with your tee time.

These conditions make winter the best time to play golf in the emirate, even for long hours.

Things to bring

In addition to your must-have travelling clothes, shoes, and other essentials, pack the following for the perfect Ras Al Khaimah golf vacation:

• Travel-friendly golf equipment (if preferred)
• Hat or visor, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
• Spikeless golf shoes
• Two or three golfing gloves
• Light but warm jacket or sweater
• A lightweight umbrella for shade

Bring your swimsuit to soak in the pool or jacuzzi after a round of golf. 

Why Ras Al Khaimah deserves a spot on your golf map

RAK won’t overwhelm you with hype. Al Hamra shows its tour credentials without shouting about them, and Tower Links gives you a walk through mangroves you didn’t know existed.

Put simply, RAK is a detour that may delightfully surprise even the most well-travelled golfer.

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Education City, Qatar.

All tournaments will carry full Tier 1 status, award Official World Ranking Points and offer a direct pathway to the HotelPlanner Tour and the DP World Tour.

As the official feeder to the HotelPlanner Tour, the Clutch Pro Tour will once again have an international footprint in 2026, hosting six events across the MENA region.

After the Clutch Pro Tour’s 17-tournament season, which features the largest prize funds in European development golf with up to £1.5 million paid out, the top three players on the Order of Merit will earn full cards for the 2027 HotelPlanner Tour. Players finishing fourth to seventh will receive seven starts each on the 2027 HotelPlanner Tour, and the top four players as of 13 August 2026 will be exempt into Second Stage of DP World Q School.

Al Mouj Golf, Muscat, Oman

The season will open at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat, Oman, from 25 to 27 March. The tour then stays in Muscat and moves to the Greg Norman-designed Al Mouj Golf from 30 March to 1 April. After a two-week break, the schedule continues with the short trip to Qatar and Education City Golf Club from 14 to 16 April, followed by Royal Golf Club in Bahrain from 20 to 22 April, and Al Hamra Golf Course in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, from 28 to 30 April.

After a brief stop in the UK, the tour will return to the MENA region with an event in Türkiye at the start of June.

Following the summer events in the UK, the season will finish with the Tour Championship, venue to be confirmed.

2026 Clutch Pro Tour Events in the MENA region

• Ghala, Muscat, Oman – 25^th – 27^th March 2026
• Al Mouj Golf, Muscat, Oman – 30th March – 1st April 2026
• Education City, Doha, Qatar – 14th – 16th April 2026
• Royal Golf Club, Bahrain – 20th – 22nd April 2026
• Al Hamra Golf Course, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – 28th – 30th April 2026
• Gloria Golf Club, Belek, Türkiye – 3rd – 5th June 2026

Main Image: The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

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The 90-day project, initiated by Al Hamra Golf Club, which oversaw the design changes with the original course architect Peter Harradine and his team at Harradine Golf, included the complete redesign of holes 15, 16 and 17, as well as modifications to the sixth and eighth holes.

Al Hamra Golf Club (Image supplied)

The renovations start on the sixth, where the fairway landing area has moved slightly to the right with a reconfigured bunker that refines shot strategy while maintaining the hole’s original feel.

The eighth hole features a new tee complex to the left of the current tees, offering a refreshed playing angle from the tee and alignment with the redesigned 16th hole.

The changes on the back nine start on the 15th hole with a larger green and surrounding area, creating a more forgiving approach for the long iron or hybrid shot while retaining the hole’s signature bunkering on either side of the green.

The challenging 16th hole sees the addition of a new tournament tee, extending the hole to 492 yards, complemented by a brand-new, multi-tiered green complex stretching over 40 yards wide, accommodating a variety of pin positions.

Finally, the 17th hole has a slight increase in length for tournament play but the strategy of this hole will shift with new bunkering along the left side of the fairway leading up to the green. The enlarged green now features a slope from right to left, adding both challenge and opportunity, especially for Sunday pin positions.

“Our primary goal has been to preserve the character and charm of Al Hamra Golf Club while introducing new design features that improve strategy, aesthetics and playability,” said Paul Booth, General Manager at Al Hamra Golf Club.

“Working once again with Peter Harradine and his team allows us to both honour the original design philosophy and introduce fresh elements that will excite golfers of all levels. This project underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining Al Hamra’s position as one of the UAE’s most enjoyable and scenic golf courses.”

RELATED: Troon International’s Middle East Rise

The project has been supported throughout by Troon International, the international division of Troon, the world’s largest golf hospitality management company. Clinton Southorn, Director of Construction & Agronomy of Troon International, said: “This renovation further demonstrates Al Hamra’s commitment to providing world-class golf experiences. The collaboration with Peter Harradine ensures the original design integrity is not only preserved but strengthened for the next generation of golfers. We’re incredibly proud of the team’s effort and thank the ownership for their vision behind this project – it’s a perfect example of Troon’s focus on quality, consistency and innovation across our global portfolio.”

Throughout the project, Al Hamra Golf Club maintained a fully operational, official 18-hole rotation, rated and sloped in cooperation with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and The R&A, allowing members and guests to continue to play a full round. The course’s agronomy team, led by Golf Course Superintendent Dindy Macatlang, ensured 12 active holes remained open so members and guests could play one of the six-hole loops twice, from different tees, as preparations continue for the new season and the full course reopening.

This renovation ensures the golf course takes centre stage in Ras Al Khaimah, and within the Al Hamra Community that features residential, shopping and hotels, blending modern living with nature-inspired design. Strategically positioned opposite the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE’s first integrated resort development that is set to open in 2027, Al Hamra Golf Club continues to focus on delivering memorable member and guest experiences.

The enhancements set the stage for a vibrant 2025–26 season, highlighted by the return of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, multiple WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) tournaments, the U.S. Kids International Final, and a series of winter training camps for international squads.

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The EGF’s National Junior Development Programme was launched at Al Hamra Golf Club in conjunction with the RAK Championship 2025, held in Ras Al Khaimah, providing a perfect setting to introduce the initiative. Schools interested in participating were invited to attend and engage in various activities at the event. Students had the chance to learn the fundamentals of golf while also observing and meeting top DP World Tour professional golfers. This event served as an inspiring and interactive introduction to both the sport and the programme for students and schools alike.

The programme commenced successfully at the start of Term 2 in Ras Al Khaimah, with Al Hamra Golf Club implementing The R&A’s ‘Unleash Your Drive’ six-week initiative, a key foundation of the EGF’s National Junior Development Programme. This initiative, currently being delivered to four schools with both male and female students, has engaged over 100 participants. Under the guidance of Al Hamra PGA Teaching Professional Damien Scott and his team, weekly one-hour sessions have been conducted to teach students the core skills of golf through engaging, interactive games.

“We at the EGF are thrilled to have this partnership up and running once more. At the Federation, our goal is to introduce golf to every young Emirati in the UAE. Having dedicated teachers and coaches helps make achieving this goal easier.

“I’d like to thank Amy Jane Gillingham from the Ministry of Education and Al Hamra Golf Club PGA Teaching Professional Damien Scott for all their hard work and coordination. Having them on board in Ras Al Khaimah allows this programme to become a reality,” said Emirates Golf Federation Director of Instruction and UAE National Coach, Cameron van Rooyen.

After just four weeks, students have demonstrated significant progress in their understanding, physical abilities and, importantly, a genuine interest in the sport. For many of these students, golf is a completely new experience, and this initiative not only introduces them to physical skills but also educates them on the etiquette of the game, which can positively influence their behaviour.

The long-term objective of the programme is not only to provide students with the opportunity to learn a new sport but also to establish a player development pathway for those who exhibit strong interest and talent. The EGF and Ministry of Education plan to expand the programme across multiple golf clubs in the Northern Emirates by the end of the 2024–25 academic year.

Main Image: EGF

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Alejandro del Rey – 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Championship – Getty Images

Here is your chance to tee it up on the same fairways that challenged the pros, starting from just AED 375.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience tournament-ready conditions and create your own championship moments.

Book Your Tee Time Now

Make it even more special with a Stay & Play Package. Choose from a group-owned hotel, including Al Hamra Residence Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort. You can then customise a package that suits your style to include golf, adventure activities, or simply moments of relaxation.

Here’s what your weekend itinerary could look like:

Friday Night

Check-in and enjoy dinner at any one of the delicious restaurants in the surrounding hotels.

Don’t miss Reunion at Sofitel and Umi at Waldorf Astoria.

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Saturday

Start the day with the world’s longest zipline at Jebel Jais.

Get ready for an afternoon tee time.

Finish off the day with drinks at The Bay, with sunset views over the water.

Sunday

End the weekend relaxing poolside or at the beach.

Stay packages start from AED 1,499 per person.

Stay & Play Packages

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The Spaniard started the day two shots behind Englishman Marcus Armitage but flipped the advantage with a sizzling round of 66 to move two clear on 16 under par, setting up an intriguing final day battle as the duo pulled clear of the chasing pack, which sits five strokes behind Armitage’s 14 under.

England’s Armitage was the first to make his move on Saturday at Al Hamra Golf Club, birdieing the first to extend his advantage, but del Rey bit back with successive gains at the second and third, before taking the lead with a birdie at the par five eighth.

"Buenísimo"

Our leader Del Rey moves two-shots clear #RAKGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/kCXH2lCS44

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 25, 2025

Both men traded pars from the ninth and matched each other’s birdies at the 14th, but the 2022 Big Green Egg German Challenge winner almost holed his second at the par four 17th and tapped in the birdie to move two clear.

The 26-year-old then took advantage of a healthy slice of luck at the last, with his ball somehow staying out of the water off the tee, allowing him the opportunity to hit a wonderful three wood into the mouth of the green, setting up a simple up and down to put the finishing touches to a bogey-free 66.

How it stands heading into the final round #RAKGolfChamps

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 25, 2025

The Spaniard will tomorrow go in search of his maiden DP World Tour title, having claimed the 54-hole lead for the first time in his career.

Everything points towards a two-horse race for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, but Australia’s Jason Scrivener put himself into contention with a seven under 65 to move to nine under, later being joined by South Africa’s Shaun Norris and Frenchman David Ravetto in a tie for third.

Level par third rounds for the UAE’s Otaegui and Grenville-Wood, see them in 45th and 63rd place respectively.

Main Image: Getty Images

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The Englishman, who opened with a blistering nine under par first round, followed that with a three under par effort to reach 12 under on day two and will go into the weekend with a two-stroke advantage over countryman Dan Brown and Spain’s Alejandro del Rey at Al Hamra Golf Club.

Armitage birdied the third and fourth to overtake Brown and del Rey, who had set the target at ten under, but sandwiched another birdie with bogeys at the seventh and ninth.

The 37-year-old dropped another shot at the par four 12th but steadied himself with a pair of pars before launching an assault on the final few holes. The 2021 Porsche European Open champion converted from 23 feet on the par three 15th to return to double figures, before birdieing the final two holes for the second day in a row – and in style.

The sound. The swing. The spin.

This shot had it all. Marcus Armitage takes a two shot lead #RAKGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/L3teZtWKzm

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 24, 2025

After missing the green at the 17th, he chipped in for birdie from the greenside rough before the almost holing his third shot from 99 yards at the par five 18th, leaving the simplest of tap ins to secure a round of 69.

Brown’s eight under round of 64 was the best of the day and matched only by American Johannes Veerman who climbed 42 places to fourth in Ras Al Khaimah. Five players share fifth on seven under, including China’s Li Haotong and Dane Hamish Brown, who both posted seven under rounds of 65.

HOLE-IN-ONE

Gavins from 166-yards #RAKGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/wYVv2HaLF6

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 24, 2025

Englishman Daniel Gavins, the 2023 winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, made more great memories at Al Hamra Golf Club, carding the second hole in one of his career at the par three seventh hole.

 

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Three-time Major winner Pádraig Harrington will be the sole Irish representative for the weekend at Al Hamra Golf Club, but having ended round one tied for fifth, he’s now well down the pecking order.

A. Skaik, S. Mullane, A. Otaegui, J Grenvillewood, J. Selvaraj

With a record-breaking, five UAE National players in the field this week, Adrian Otaegui and Joshua Grenville-Wood successfully made the cut in the US $2.5 million tournament.

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