UAE National Golf Team ready to face Scotland

The Emirates Golf Federation announced today the team which will face Scotland in the inaugural Falcon Cup at Yas Links Golf Club on 3rd December.

The 36 hole one day competition provides the opportunity for the best players in the Emirates to take on some of the world’s best amateurs representing Scotland – ‘The Home of Golf’.

The UAE will be represented by the UAE National Champion Abdalla Al Musharrekh alongside his younger brothers Hassan Al Mushareekh and Ahmed Al Musharrekh, Khalid Yousef, Faris Al Mazrui and Sohail Al Marzuki.

‘My game is developing all the time and I’m really looking forward to the test match,’ said Abdalla Al Musharrekh.

‘We have made big improvements in the last few years and we are ready for the challenge. I can’t wait be on the first tee at Yas Links. It’s a fantastic course and the perfect place to play the Scottish team.’

‘There’s no doubt that playing the Scottish National Team will be a test,’ added Chris Vallander UAE National Coach. ‘We’re probably the underdogs but the squad will be well prepared and are relishing the opportunity to play some of the best amateurs in the world.’

The UAE will be competing against some of Scotland’s upcoming stars, including the ever-improving Paul Shields, who went all the way to the all-Scottish final of the South African Amateur Championship in March before losing to Walker Cup star Michael Stewart. Shields’ teammates include Scott Crichton, who capped his 2011 season with victory in the internationally renowned amateur tournament the Cameron Corbett Vase; Fraser McKenna, runner-up at the 2008 British Boys Championship; Daniel Kay, finalist of the 2011 Scottish Amateur Championship; and Brian Soutar, who is a Scotland international.

Steve Paulding, Scottish Golf Performance Manager, said: ‘The Test Match is an important part of this phase of our winter training programme.

‘All of the players have been working on specific parts of their game and this will be their first opportunity to test these out in competition.

‘We’ve been delighted to be given the opportunity to base ourselves at Yas Links, in the sunshine at this time of year, and get unrestricted access to their superb, world-class golf course and practice facilities, which are outstanding.