Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The work done by organisations such as the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) in the UAE, Golf Saudi in Saudi Arabia and the Indian Golf Union in India is actively supported by The R&A, the world governing body for golf.

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Academy programme, launched by the Masters Tournament, The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in 2019, has aided growth efforts in the Middle East, including an Academy held in Dubai in 2022. One of the attendees of that Academy was Saleh Al-Kaabi, who became the first player from Qatar to make the cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2024.

The R&A has provided a new impetus to the development work done with the appointment of Neal Graham, The R&A’s Development Officer for the Middle East, Central Asia and India.

Speaking ahead of next week’s 16th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Emirates Golf Club, he said: “Our role is to work and support our affiliates, the national golf federations across the region, as and when they require our assistance. We are there to support and provide strategic advice and consultancy, and that can cascade down to programmes like Golf Sixes, junior development programmes, and high-performance programmes. We share a lot of our experience and best practices with the affiliates around the world, as well. We also help create programmes and assets that help people play more golf.”

Graham is in no doubt that next week’s AAC will make a major difference to golf in the region.

“We have been hosting these extremely important and high-profile professional events. But these amateur events are the future. These are the future champions,” said Graham.

“For starters, this is where our young players get noticed. Many college coaches in the United States will keep an eye on what’s happening here. This is also where our federations get noticed. A good performance at the Asia-Pacific Amateur can convince the government back home that they are on the right track and unlock funding. For the federations, it is also an opportunity to meet and network with some of the most important people and organisations in the sport.

“The Asia-Pacific Amateur really has the potential to be a transformational week for golf in the region.”

*Article by Joy Chakravarty - https://www.aacgolf.com/