The UAE national team player Ahmad Skaik is enthusiastically getting ready for his comeback at the HotelPlanner Tour’s (previously known as the Challenge Tour) two consecutive events in the UAE next month, which marks a crucial stage in his journey towards becoming a professional golfer.
For the third successive year, the DP World Tour’s premier developmental tour will be hosted in the UAE, featuring two major events organized jointly by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).
The action begins with the UAE Challenge taking place from April 10-13 at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, marking the first time this venue hosts an event sanctioned by the European Tour Group. Following that, the tour moves to Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Challenge, held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club from April 17-20.
These consecutive tournaments serve as platforms for emerging talents and champions from the DP World Tour striving to return to the international golf scene. Additionally, they significantly contribute to nurturing UAE National Team members, alongside local professional and amateur golfers based in the UAE.
This advancement has been facilitated by the EGF’s longstanding collaboration with the European Tour group, ensuring 30 competition slots for UAE players across these two tournaments. This effort extends the European Tour group’s dedication to fostering golf development in the UAE up till at least 2032.
Over the past two years, Skaik has significantly benefited from these opportunities and will once again participate with other members of the UAE National Team, such as Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, Rayan Ahmed, Mohammed Skaik, and Nayl Cherrat.
"The collaboration has proven extremely beneficial," stated Skaik.
I sense improvement each time I participate in the HotelPlanner Tour — my character develops, and I gain confidence believing that someday I could compete and triumph there. The participants in this tour tend to be more precise, commit fewer errors, and maintain greater consistency. It feels as though I am progressing towards that level. All I need to do is continue training and stick with what works for me; perhaps then I might achieve victory at both the HotelPlANNER Tour and eventually on the DP World Tour.
Coming face-to-face with top-tier competitors has significantly shaped Ahmad Skaik’s path as he aims to achieve his dream of becoming a pro, which might happen before the year ends after participating in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship held in the UAE.
In last month's 2025 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Golf Championship held at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia, this talented 27-year-old secured both individual and team gold medals for the UAE. He achieved an unprecedented score of 270 strokes, which was 18 under par, setting a new standard for the lowest tally ever recorded in the tournament’s annals. This remarkable feat also marked the biggest victory gap seen yet in the individual competition segment.
This significant accomplishment was built upon the solid base of invaluable experience obtained through participating in 12 HotelPlanner Tour events during the last couple of years.
Due to the EGF’s swapping of competition places with other golf organizations, Emirati athletes such as Skaik have had the opportunity to participate in HotelPlanner Tour competitions across the globe, thereby increasing their visibility and refining their abilities on an international platform.
Sking mentioned that participating in these activities always assists him in staying ahead.
I am determined to put in lots of effort and approach these events with confidence so that I can perform competitively. Whenever I'm playing at my best, I crave even more action—I truly enjoy having three or four forthcoming HotelPlANNER Tour starts because they allow me to continuously improve each week.
Next month’s double-header on the HotelPlanner Tour will offer more than just high-level competition for the EGF’s players - it will also mark a new chapter for two of the federation’s newly appointed full-time rules officials.
The Thai twin sisters Sasinun and Sasikarn Tungbenjapol are set to appear for the first time on the HotelPlanner Tour. They bring with them extensive experience gained from serving as officiating referees at various tours including the Thai LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, and Asian Tour.
Their notable qualifications also encompass refereeing for the R&A during the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, which took place at Siam Country Club in Thailand.