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In just a few weeks, one of the UAE’s longest-standing golf tournaments returns for its 26th edition.
The Dubai Golf Trophy will once again see the country’s top male and female Professionals take on the best male and female Amateurs in a Ryder Cup-style showdown over two competitive days.
But you can’t just walk onto the team. To earn a spot, the top 12 Professionals qualify through the Emirates PGA’s Dubai Golf Trophy Order of Merit, based on their best six finishes across the season. The Amateurs follow a similar process, with the top 12 coming from the EGF’s Gross Order of Merit.
The remaining four spots on each team are Captain’s Picks—selected at the discretion of Professional Captain Graham Forbes and Amateur Captain Dan Byrne. However, there’s a catch: Pros must have played at least five Emirates PGA events, while Amateurs need a minimum of five UAE Open appearances.
The event also features a Ladies Challenge Match, with the top two Professional Ladies facing off against the top two Amateur Ladies, based on their respective Order of Merit standings.
Originally established by Dubai Golf, the event rotates across five world-class courses: Emirates Golf Club’s Faldo and Majlis courses, Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth and Fire courses, and the Championship Course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. This year see’s day one at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, with the final day being held on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.
Despite the Pros’ best efforts, the Amateurs have dominated in recent years, winning nine of the last ten editions. Last year, the Professionals came agonisingly close, but Emirates Golf Club’s Viktor Kofod-Olsen secured a crucial draw on the final hole against Matt Rice from Golf Kraft, resulting in a 16-16 tie and ensuring the Amateurs retained the trophy.
Graham Forbes. Image supplied by Emirates PGA
For Professional Captain Graham Forbes, this event is more than just another tournament—it’s personal. Having been part of the Emirates PGA since moving to the UAE four and a half years ago, he knows the significance of this event.
“This event is special—it always has been. It brings the best players in the region together, and that creates a real buzz,” Forbes explains. “But as a captain, it’s different. There’s pressure, but it’s a privilege. You’re not just playing for yourself; you’re leading a team, making decisions, and trying to inspire the guys around you.”
His own record in the Dubai Golf Trophy speaks for itself—10 points from a possible 12 in previous appearances. But after last year’s heartbreak, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to bring the trophy back to the Professionals.
“We thought we had it last year. It came down to the final hole, and we were right there. To see it slip away was tough,” he admits. “That feeling stayed with us. The Amateurs have dominated this event, and as much as we respect what they’ve done, it’s time to change the story.”
“The standard is getting stronger every year. We’ve got some top-class players in the region now, and I think that’s going to show in this year’s event.”
While he wants to bring the trophy back to the Professionals, Forbes also sees this event as something bigger. “The Dubai Golf Trophy is about more than just winning—it’s about the bond between the players, the friendships, and the respect we have for each other. The competitive fire is there, but so is the camaraderie. That’s what makes it special.”
Dan Byrne. Image supplied by Emirates PGA
On the Amateur side, Captain Dan Byrne shares a similar sentiment. This will be his sixth consecutive appearance in the Dubai Golf Trophy, an event that became a personal goal to qualify for when he first moved to the UAE. “It’s the perfect way to close out the season,” he says.
“We spend all year competing against each other, grinding it out in individual events, and then suddenly we’re all on the same side. That shift in mentality, from rivals to teammates, is what makes this event so exciting.”
The Amateurs have had the upper hand in recent years, but Byrne isn’t letting that cloud his focus. “We were very fortunate to retain the trophy last year. Some of the matches came down to the wire, and we pulled off a few miracles in the final stretch. We know we can’t rely on luck this time.
“The Professionals are stronger. We’ve lost a few key players, and I’ve heard they’ve got some new additions that will make a difference. I’d say we’re the underdogs this time, and that’s a position we haven’t been in for a while.”
Despite that, Byrne is relishing the opportunity to lead. “It’s an honour to be captain. I know what this event means to everyone involved, and I want to make sure we approach it the right way. We’re here to compete, to give everything we have, but also to enjoy the experience. That balance is key.
“Some of the guys playing this year will be experiencing the Dubai Golf Trophy for the first time, and I want to make sure they embrace it. It’s a pressure-packed event, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable tournaments you can be part of.”
Main image: Emirates PGA
