UAE senior golfers, Yousuf shine

UAE senior golfers claimed a bronze medal finish in Qatar.

 The UAE senior team competed claimed a bronze medal in the 2016 GCC Golf Championship hosted at the Doha Golf Club in Qatar. Khalid Yousuf also boosted UAE's captain with a bronze in the individual category.
Along with the seniors, UAE youth (18 and under) also competed and finished fifth at the 18-hole championship course, designed by Peter Harradine and the home of the Qatar Masters. Tipping out at 7,374 yards, the golf course was a great challenge for both divisions.
After taking the best three scores from a team of four players, over a total of four rounds, the UAE senior team finished with a team score of 917. Having a strong practice schedule and playing a lot of local events leading up to the championship provided the edge the team needed to finish in the top three. Winning the gold was Qatar with a team total of 889 with Bahrain taking silver with a team total 910.
Yousuf had a slow start to the championship as he posted a first round score of 78 but he started finding his form. His next two rounds were 75-76, but by closing the door with a final round of 72, Khalid found himself in the mix of leaders. Winning by a count back (final) round score, 72 with a championship total of 301, Yousuf collected the bronze.
"I am proud of myself but most importantly of my team. We were able to focus under pressure in order to hold our rounds together and finish with good scores. The part of my game that was working well this weekend was my scoring skills. Looking back at my cards, I was 14 over on the front side and 1 under on the back for the weekend. I was able to pull myself together and the difference in my scores definitely proves that. My final round was just an overall good round of golf. It felt good to finish strong for the team. Looking forward we need to start preparing for the Eisenhower Trophy. It would be great accomplishment for the UAE and the EGF to have a strong showing at that event," said Yousuf after the championship.
Finishing in seventh place in the individual category and only three shots back from Yousuf was compatriot Ahmed Skaik. Skaik lead the team all weekend with his first three rounds scoring a 76, 75, and 76. With a disappointing final round score of 77, Skaik had a championship total of 304. Proving to be a strong factor for the senior team and finishing in 12th place in the individual category was Rashid Hamood. Hamood shot rounds of 82-74-76-80 for a championship total of 312. Rounding out the team was Saeed Malik with rounds of 83-82-85-86 for a total of 336.
National Team Coach Greg Holmes was happy with the team's show. "Overall I am exceptionally proud of how the team played in Doha. The scoring was much more competitive and there were some great individual performances under pressure. The event was a great measure of how hard the players have been working and will be a great confidence boost for the team in preparation for the Eisenhower Trophy in September."