Italy won the 2022 Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championships in Paris. Stephen Gibbons

Abu Dhabi is set to host the most important amateur golf tournament in the world in less than two months, with 36 nations represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the World Amateur Team Championships.

The men will fight it out over Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course for the Eisenhower Trophy from October 18-21 before the women contest the Espirito Santo Trophy from October 25-28.

This is the 33rd edition of the men’s event before a landmark 30th time the women will be in competition in the biennial tournament conducted by the International Golf Federation (IGF).

General Abdullah Alhasmi, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation has confirmed preparations are well under way and on course as the UAE hosts the tournament for the first time — also the first time the event will be held in the Middle East.

The top 10 teams last time out Paris automatically qualify for the 2023 edition — held in an odd year so as not to clash with next year’s Olympics — along with the hosts. The remaining 25 spots are filed by the Amateur Golf Ranking of the best two players from each country.

Each nation is represented by a team of two to three players for the 72-hole stroke play competition.

“The fact that this is the first time since its 1958 inception that the WATC has been held in the Middle East is both significant and exciting, as it will hopefully generate more interest in golf throughout the region,” Annika Sorenstam, President of the International Golf Federation said. “Many of the most recognised players in the game have represented their countries at the World Amateur Team Championships, including more than 70 per cent of the men and women who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We look forward to witnessing the exceptional talent on display in Abu Dhabi this October and thank the Emirates Golf Federation for its excellent work in preparing for the event.”

Across the two competitions, Europe has 31 qualified teams, Asia 19, the Americas 12, and Africa and Oceania five each.

Sweden won the women’s Espirito Santo Trophy in 2022 while the men’s team from Italy took home the Eisenhower Trophy.

2023 WATC MEN’S TEAMS
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Canada
China
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Guam
Guatemala
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
UAE
USA
Wales
Zimbabwe

2023 WATC WOMEN’S TEAMS
Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Philippines
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
UAE
USA