Play Amateur Bonanza
Hello Asia, Hello World Two of golf’s most prestigious amateur events are coming to the UAE by kent gray
ubai has suddenly become the epicentre of world amateur golf and has no intention of wasting the golden opportunity. ▶ Just nine months after being awarded hosting rights to the 2023 World Amateur Teams Championship (WATC), Dubai Golf and the Emirates Golf Federation have pulled off second massive coup by securing the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships (AAC).
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With first Royal Melbourne (Oct 2020) and then Sentosa Golf Club (Oct 2021) unable to take up hosting rights to the 12th edition of the AAC due to COVID-19 restrictions in Australia and Singapore respectively, the UAE has proudly stepped into the breach at the 11th hour. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club will now stage the AAC from November
16 golfdigestme.com | august 2021
3-6 and, given the delays, the 72-hole strokeplay event now holds more significance than ever. Not only will the champion earn a start at next year’s Masters and Open Championship as ever, the 13-month adjournment means the next Open, being the 150th edition at St. Andrews, is extra special. The champion will not only get to tee it up at fabled Augusta National but also in
the oldest major at golf’s birthplace, The Old Course. As a result, global eyeballs will focus on The Creek and Dubai Inc, a boon as the world slowly begins opening up to golf tourism again. It is no coincidence another of Dubai Golf ’s properties, Jumeirah Golf Estates, will host the International Golf Federation-sanctioned WATC in 2023 with the 32nd Eisenhower Trophy
