Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club will play host to a plethora of the region's top amateur golfers over the coming days as the prestigous Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship makes its way into town from November 3-6.
The 2020 AAC, which was due to be played at Royal Melbourne in Australia last year, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is now being held in the UAE for the first time, and will join the numerous professional and amateur events Dubai hosts annually, including the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic and DP World Tour Championship.
Here's everything you need to know about one of the world's bigest amateur golf events...
History
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was created in February 2009 as a joint initiative to develop the game by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A. Previous winners include Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and three-time Japan Tour winner Takumi Kanaya.
The field
The 93-player field is comprised of the top male amateurs in the Asia-Pacific region representing the 42 Asia Pacific Golf Confederation member organisations. China’s defending champion Yuxin Lin is aiming for an unprecedented third AAC title but will face a stiff challenge from the in-form Japanese world No. 1 Keita Nakajima and the cream of the region’s men’s talent at the 12th edition of the championship
Local representation
The UAE will have four players in the prestigous amateur tournament in the form of Ahmad Skaik, the UAE's No.1 golfer, along with compatriots Khalid Yousuf, Khalifa Al Masaood and Rashid Al Emadi. India's Arjun Gupta, who was born and raised in Dubai, will also feature, while the MENA Tour's No.1 amateur, Shergo Al Kurdi, represents Jordan.
Prize
An invitation to play in the Masters Tournament and The Open is given to the winner, while the runner(s)-up gain a place in The Open Qualifying Series for The Open. Dubai-born sensation Rayhan Thomas finished second in the event when it was held at Sensota Golf Club, Singapore in 2018.
How to watch
The 2021 AAC will be broadcast in more than 160 countries, placing the AAC as the most televised amateur golf tournament in the world. This coverage will include three hours of live coverage all four days. A 30-minute wrap-up highlight will also be produced after the conclusion of the final round. The entire broadcast will be also be simulcast on AACgolf.com. Local TV coverage is yet to be announced, and fans will not be able to attend the event.
Format
The course will play at 6,986 yards, par 71. It will be a 72-hole strokeplay tournament with the leading 50 players plus ties, to play on after the cut at 36 holes
