Driving Emirati golf to new heights and inspiring the next generation. For several years Shames Al Hashemi has been well known within UAE golf circles. His track record of triumphs across multiple tournaments including the renowned Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup demonstrates his longstanding service as an Emirati golf ambassador.
As a co-owner of the Desert Knights team during Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 Shames Al Hashemi works to expand the game and integrate more local players.
Marwan Hadi approached Shames with the proposal to create a team which initiated his participation in the Ultimate Golf Challenge. Shames needed little persuasion to join Marwan Hadi and together they established the Desert Knights team.
He believes that including an Emirati team in the competition was an excellent idea and praises the organizers for their excellent event planning which makes it very appealing.
Everything is well-organized. Our team is thrilled to compete together and we anticipate an excellent season ahead.
The Desert Knights team showcases both Emirati and expatriate players which showcases the tournament’s goals of competitive sport and inclusive participation. Shames hopes that future editions will attract additional local golfers.
His team currently comprises fifty percent Emirati members but he hopes this number to expand.
A Growing Game in the UAE
Shames believes the future of golf looks positive in the UAE and elsewhere.
He notes that golf became more popular around the world after COVID-19 and observes that trend locally as well. It’s exciting to see.”
He predicts this shift will determine how the game evolves.
Shames confidently predicts that the local player pool will grow significantly at all levels within two generations.
Women’s golf thrives with athletes such as Aasiya Saleem and Sara Ali establishing their reputations.
More Than Just Winning
Shames achieved his latest milestone victory at the Emirates Golf Club during the 29th Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup event. His performance against 40 local competitors in a Stableford competition demonstrated his status as one of the most talented golfers in the nation.
His goals surpass mere personal achievements. He expresses optimism about golf’s prospects here.”
Under the guidance of players like Shames Emirati golf stands on a solid foundation. Participants in the Ultimate Golf Challenge and the Desert Knights seek to create a lasting impact beyond competitive play. And for Shames, that’s a win-win situation.