Ahmad Skaik is hoping his knowledge of Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club will benefit him during this week’s UAE Challenge, the first of back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour events in the UAE.
Skaik, who is filling one of 30 spots reserved for the country’s brightest talent, is competing in his 11th HotelPlanner Tour event since making his debut at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Challenge.
The 27-year-old represented the UAE during the Pan Arab Golf Championship at Al Zorah in November 2024, producing the standout performance as the four-man UAE team placed second.
The Emirati amateur has played Al Zorah on multiple occasions and is looking to continue his impressive form at this week’s venue.
“I’ve played here many times so should be fine. I’m just trying to think of it as if it’s another event and just play my game and hopefully find success,” he said.
“It feels like home. Obviously, I don’t live in Ajman, but I’ve played a few events here and did well in the Arab Championship so hopefully I can take some of that onto this one.
“I feel like around the greens it’s a bit tricky to make putts, they’re a bit firm and quick so you just need to keep it in play off the tee. Obviously on the HotelPlanner Tour they’re going to tuck pins more than what we play normally, so you need to be smart on the greens and give yourself a chance every time.”
Skaik heads into the UAE Challenge playing some of the best golf of his career, having won the 2025 GCC Championship at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia on 18 under par, 15 shots clear of second.
The Emirati golfer says confidence is high as he looks to build on that success when he tees it up on Thursday.
“Going into that I never expected that,” he added.
“Obviously, I know I can play well but I just never thought I had this in me yet, so be able to do that just opened my eyes and made me realise I am much better than I actually thought. I wanted to shoot 20 under which was my goal but 18 is pretty good.
“I just need to trust myself. I’ll take a shot at a time as usual, a round at a time,. try to play my best every hole and stay in the present.”
Skaik is part of a strong field in Ajman, that includes two-time DP World Tour winners Eddie Pepperell and Renato Paratore and Road to Mallorca Number Two Joshua Berry.
The UAE Challenge, which is also supported by Arena, Al Laith and eGolf Megastore, is part of the European Tour group’s long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation, which aims to develop golf in the UAE for at least the next decade.
