The HotelPlanner Tour continues its eGolf Swing this week with the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, the second leg of its UAE doubleheader.

Now in its third edition, the $300,000 event once again highlights the region’s growing presence in the global golf scene, backed by the enduring partnership between the DP World Tour, HotelPlanner Tour, and Emirates Golf Federation.

Alongside a strong international lineup are several Middle East-based standouts, including Dubai’s Renato Paratore, fresh off his UAE Challenge victory yesterday, and familiar faces in Adri Arnaus, Craig Howie, Garrick Porteous, Joshua Grenville-Wood, and Els Club Dubai member Rami Samawi.

Ahmad Skaik is presented with the low amateur by HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi

Ahmad Skaik is presented with the low amateur by HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi

Among the local contingent, Ahmad Skaik leads the way. The UAE National Team player etched his name into the history books last week by becoming the first Emirati to make the cut — and in some style — in the UAE Challenge, marking a major milestone for both UAE and Arab golf.

Also teeing it up this week are fellow UAE amateurs Mohammad Skaik and Neyl Cherrat, while the Arab world is further represented by Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela, Morocco’s Mustapha Pinta, and Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Attieh — underlining the rising strength of the game across the region.

See below the full list of Middle East-based golfers teeing it up in the Abu Dhabi Challenge.

United Arab Emirates

  • Adri Arnaus – DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour Winner
  • Ahmad Skaik (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player
  • Ahmed Rayan (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player
  • Craig Howie – Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club Member, HotelPlanner Tour Winner
  • David Horsey – DP World Tour Winner
  • Garrick Porteous – Trump International Golf Club Dubai Member, HotelPlanner Tour Winner
  • Jonathan Selvaraj (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player
  • Joshua Grenville-Wood – Emirates Golf Federation
  • Mohammad Skaik (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player
  • Neyl Cherrat (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player
  • Rami Samawi (amateur) – Els Club Dubai Member
  • Renato Paratore – DP World Tour Winner
  • Sam Mullane (amateur) – Emirates Golf Federation, UAE National Team Player

Egypt:

  • Issa Abou El Ela (amateur)  – Alexandria Sporting Club – Egyptian National Team Player

Morocco:

  • Mustapha Pinta – The Tony Jacklin Casablanca

Saudi Arabia:

  • Khaled Attieh – Saudi Arabia National Team Player

Main Image: Richard Heathcote / Getty Images