Shames Al Hashemi emerged as the victorious golfer at the 29th Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup, held at the Emirates Golf Club. A field of 40 Emirati golfers participated in the competition, which was played in a Stableford format. Al Hashemi secured the win with a total of 36 points, narrowly beating his competitors.
During the competition, Al Hashemi showcased exceptional skills, especially on the back nine. He made a gross birdie on the 10th hole and followed it up with a net eagle on the 14th hole. This stellar performance solidified his position as the winner of the tournament.
Rashed Al Emadi and Rayyan Al Maazmi tied for second place, both scoring 35 points. Rashed displayed consistency throughout his round with net birdies on holes 14 and 16. On the other hand, Rayyan’s standout moment came on the front nine, where he made a gross birdie on the 8th hole.
The prize presentation was attended by Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi, along with other esteemed personalities from the Emirates Golf Federation. Cidambi congratulated all the winners and participants, emphasizing the significance of the tournament and expressing the desire to expand it in the future.
General Abdullah Alhashmi highlighted the importance of the UAE Nationals Cup in promoting golf among UAE nationals. He appreciated the collaboration between Dubai Duty Free and the Emirates Golf Federation in encouraging Emiratis to engage in the sport. Alhashmi also expressed gratitude to Colm McLoughlin for his contributions to UAE Golf development.
McLoughlin, who will be retiring in 2024 after a distinguished career in the travel retail industry, received accolades for his leadership in Dubai Duty Free. In the various divisions of the competition, Tariq Khoory emerged as the winner in the Junior Division, while Aasiya Saleem claimed victory in the Ladies Division. Intissar Rich secured the top spot in the Gross Division with an impressive score of 37 points.
The UAE Nationals Cup serves as a prominent event in the UAE golfing community, fostering the growth of the sport among Emiratis. With the support of key stakeholders and organizations, the tournament aims to continue promoting golf and providing opportunities for local talent to thrive in the sport. As the event looks ahead to its 30th anniversary, the future holds promising prospects for the development of golf in the UAE.
