The event’s only two amateurs recognised for their regional dominance
Staff Report
Dubai: Morocco’s Ahmad Marjan and the UAE’s Ahmad Al Musharrakh will feel they have nothing to lose when they line-up for honours at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from February 9 to 12.
The only two amateurs in the field have been handed special invites to compete in the $2.5 million (Dh9.1m) European Tour event, promoted and organised by Golf in Dubai, in recognition of their regional perfromance.
Morocco’s 18-year-old prodigy topped the Mena Golf Tour Order of Merit for amateurs last year, while Al Musharrakh won gold at the Arab Games held in Doha. The rising Emirati was also instrumental in guiding the UAE to another gold in the team event in the Qatari capital.
Marjan, who featured in all four Mena Golf Tour events, topping the Order of Merit table with 127 points ahead of Daniel Owen of England (105) and fellow Moroccan Mustapha El Maouas (94), said: “To play in such a tournament which has a massive worldwide appeal is beyond a dream for any emerging player of my age. I can’t believe my luck.”
“The Mena Golf Tour has created so many opportunities which we couldn’t think of. It’s up to us how we exploit them. Exposure to this event will certainly be a great learning curve and will help me understand my potential better.
“I don’t feel the pressure. I’m just more motivated to succeed. It will be fun to play alongside big players whom I have watched only on TV. Also, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to showcase the rising standards of the game in Morocco. It’s definitely important for people from other countries to see us and know that we are playing golf.
“I have no intention of turning professional at the moment. I will think about it in five or six years’ time. There are many areas in my game I need to improve upon and hence I wouldn’t like to make any decision in a hurry,” said Morocco’s number one, who has brought his average score down to 72.5 from 77 in just a few months.
UAE’s Al Musharrakh, meanwhile, was the first player from the UAE to qualify for the Egyptian Open in 2010 and will be making his first appearance in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“I have grown up seeing top players compete in Dubai. It feels surreal that I will be rubbing shoulders with some of them. Dreams do come true. They have in my case,” said Al Musharrekh, who recorded his best-ever 24th place finish in the prestigious Asian Amateur Championship, held in Singapore last year.
Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice chairman and CEO of Golf in Dubai, said: “The invitations to the two youngsters are part of our tradition to encourage emerging talent from the Arab world. I hope the experience of playing alongside some of the world’s best golfers will boost their confidence and make them better players.”
