UAE Cup sponsored by HSBC

The UAE Cup, sponsored by HSBC, is a relatively new but significant international amateur golf championship organised by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). Worldwide Golf +3 Khaleej Times +3 Khaleej Times +3 The inaugural edition was held from 25–27 October 2024 at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC) in Al Ain, UAE. Gulf News +1 The event features multiple divisions: an Elite Open Division (open to top amateurs from Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, etc.), a UAE National Championship, plus junior and “Future Falcons” youth-golf competitions. Khaleej Times +2 Khaleej Times +2 The Elite Open Division is an official WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) event, and its winners gain invitations to higher-level professional opportunities: for example, the men’s elite winner earns a Challenge Tour start, and the women’s winner gets a Ladies European Tour (LET) start. Worldwide Golf +2 world-arabia.com +2 The format of the tournament is stroke play over 54 holes (three rounds), at least for the Elite division in the first edition. Khaleej Times Meanwhile, the UAE National Championship component is played over 36 holes (two days). Khaleej Times The weekend also includes a Par-3 Championship and Skills Challenge for young golfers (“Future Falcons”) to help foster grassroots talent. Gulf News +1 Historically, the UAE Cup evolved from the previous UAE Presidents Cup, which was also sponsored by HSBC. world-arabia.com The transformation into the UAE Cup represents a step up in ambition: it broadens from being just a national championship to a more regionally and globally competitive event. Worldwide Golf The first edition was considered a “landmark success,” with strong international participation (players from ~30 countries) and pathways to professional golf for the winners