Opportunity Knocks at Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: One amateur golfer will line up in the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, following confirmation from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC). The spot in the Rolex Series event will go to the...
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: One amateur golfer will line up in the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, following confirmation from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC).
The spot in the Rolex Series event will go to the winner of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship, which is being hosted at the Gary Player-sculpted Saadiyat Beach Golf Club from December 13-16.
The announcement comes as Troon Abu Dhabi prepares for a busy season of golf, including major Tour and tourism events, as their world-renowned venues continue to drive Abu Dhabi's reputation as a world-class golf destination.
January’s 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will be staged at Yas Links Abu Dhabi for the first time, moving from its traditional base at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The 54-hole Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship has enjoyed widespread success over the years. At Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in 2019, UAE resident Josh Hill secured a thrilling one-shot victory to qualify for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at just 15 years old, making him the youngest ever participant in the event.
This year’s Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with the action taking place over three days. Scratch amateurs golfers from all over the world will be invited to Abu Dhabi to compete for the title and World Amateur Golf Ranking points.
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “It’s great to see the return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship – a hugely exciting prospect for amateur golfers to earn the opportunity to qualify for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and test themselves against the world’s best players.
“At Abu Dhabi Sports Council we are always looking to grow and develop our resident amateur golfers, and tournaments such as these allow them to test themselves against the best players. Hopefully, we’ll see a UAE resident come through in December and take their place at next year’s championship, generating more interest in the game locally.”
Returning to Abu Dhabi from January 20-23, the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will be the first of back-to-back Rolex Series events on the European Tour’s new five-week Middle East Swing.
Among recent star players at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship are Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler (2016 champion), Tommy Fleetwood (2017 and 2018 champion), Shane Lowry (2019 champion), Lee Westwood (2020 champion) and Tyrell Hatton (2021 champion).
Matthew Waters, Group Director of Golf, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, said: “The return of the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship confirms that golf is officially back in the capital.
“This tournament will officially kick-start a brilliant schedule of golfing events in Abu Dhabi, which will in turn grow the profile of golf in the region.
“By offering amateurs the opportunity to earn a spot at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship players from all over the globe will travel here to compete, underscoring the fantastic reputation our course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club enjoys.
“Thanks to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for providing this qualifier spot, further boosting the tournament’s credentials.”
