Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) are to organize the World Amateur Team Championship (WATC) in Abu Dhabi Golf Club in October 2023.
The venue for the 2023 WATC has officially switched to Abu Dhabi Golf Club, National Course as a result of the most recent notice and clearance from the International Golf Federation (IGF). The EGF and Abu Dhabi Sports Council have decided to work together to successfully hold the WATC in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 in connection with this announcement.
The International Golf Federation hosts the biennial World Amateur Team Championships, an international amateur golf competition. For the first time since the competition’s founding in 1958, the championships will take place in the Middle East. The Eisenhower Trophy men’s championship will be held for the 33rd time in 2023 from October 18th to 21st, and the Espirito Santo Trophy women’s championship will be held from October 25th to 28th.
The competition brings together the best amateur golfers who have aspirations of collegiate golf or turning professional. Some of the biggest names in golf who participated in the WATC are Annika Sorenstam (SWE) ’90, ’92, Jack Nicklaus (USA) ’60, Colin Montgomerie (GBI) ’84, Sergio Garcia (ESP) ’96, ‘98, Rory McIlroy (IRE) ’06 and Tiger Woods (USA) ’94.
IGF Executive Director Mr. Antony Scanlan paid a visit to the EGF and ADSC last month, which made both organisations very pleased. The promotion of golf as an Olympic sport, the international growth of golf, and the representation of golf within the Olympic Movement are all under the purview of Mr. Scanlan, who was appointed executive director of the IGF in 2010. Mr. Scanlan’s arrival in Abu Dhabi signified the commencement of the WATC’s establishment there.
“The IGF is very excited to be holding our first World Amateur Team Championships in the Middle East. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club will provide the best male and female amateur players in the world with the opportunity to compete on an exceptional course at a world-class facility. We thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their support and look forward to working with the Emirates Golf Federation on the successful delivery of the Championships,” Mr. Scanlan remarked.
The IGF comprises 152 national federation members from 149 countries. After hosting 16 editions of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Abu Dhabi Golf Club will be the host of many big events next year, starting with Hero Cup, a recently announced Challenge Tour event, and the World Amateur Team Championships. Abu Dhabi Golf Club was designed by Peter Harradine in 1998. The impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched, overlooks the golf course, as per the report.