Doha – The Qatar Golf Association has announced that the national senior team are holding a training camp in Rabat, Morocco, through the end of August as part of their preparations for upcoming competitions, foremost among them the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan in September.The camp aims to enhance the players’ technical and physical readiness through an intensive training programme at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam courses, one of the region’s leading golf venues, providing ideal conditions for the team’s preparations.The squad comprises Saleh Al Kaabi, Ali Al Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al Shahrani and Abdulrahman Al Shahrani. The coaching staff are seeking to make the most of the camp and ensure the players reach the highest possible level of readiness ahead of their upcoming competitions.The camp forms part of the Qatar Golf Association’s comprehensive plan to prepare the national senior team for a busy schedule of upcoming regional and continental competitions. The programme aims to further develop the players’ performances and strengthen Qatar’s presence in regional and Asian golf competitions.The Qatar Golf Association are looking to ensure that the current preparation period provides maximum technical and physical benefit and helps the national team reach peak readiness ahead of their participation in the Asian Games. 

DOHA - English golfer Calum Fitzgerald claimed the Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship title after a commanding final round, finishing the tournament with a total of 225 strokes, nine over par at Doha Golf Club on Saturday.The victory also secures him a coveted place in the next edition of the prestigious Qatar Masters.Fitzgerald, who also won the 2024 edition of the tournament, expressed his delight at returning to the top.“I thank my father, who acted as my coach and was a great help throughout the tournament. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the course is one of the best in the world. I’m delighted to be back and to win the title two years after my 2024 victory,” he said.“I’m looking forward to returning again, this time at the Qatar Masters, where I will strive to reach the later stages of the tournament,” he said.Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hamad Abdullah Al Mana crowned the winners whileQGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Nuaimi, and Board Member Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi were also present. QGA Technical Expert Mike Shoueiry and Member of QGA’s Organising Committee Walid Saad hosted the presentation ceremony.Qatari golfer Saleh Al Kaabi, the defending champion, finished second with a total of 12 over par after a strong performance throughout the competition. His compatriot, rising star Daniel Sokolov, claimed third place, just one stroke behind.Other notable finishers included Dean Morris of the United Kingdom in fourth with the same score, England’s Andrew Saunders in fifth at 14 over par, and Australia’s Cam Craner in sixth with 24 over par.Scotland’s Gary Bowman was seventh, Sweden’s Claes Beberg ninth, and Bolivian Pablo Hevia completed the top ten in tenth place at 30 over par.Secretary-General of the Qatar Golf Association Fahad Al Nuaimi praised the success of the 40th edition of the tournament.“I would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee for allowing us to host this prestigious tournament, which is very dear to the Qatar Golf Association. This is especially significant as this is the 40th edition of the championship, which has been running for over 40 years since its inception in 1983 on the sand courses in Mesaieed,” he said.Al Nuaimi highlighted the participation of international players and noted Fitzgerald’s repeat victory.“The English player succeeded in winning the title, repeating his achievement from two years ago in the 2024 edition, when he also won the title at the Doha Golf Club,” he added while praising the Qatari contingent.“The second-place finish of Qatari national team players Saleh Al Kaabi and Daniel Sokolov demonstrates the excellent level they displayed in this year’s edition alongside their fellow Qatari participants,” Al Nuaimi said.

Doha: Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinada moved to the top of the leaderboard at the Qatar International Golf Championship, currently taking place at Doha Golf Club, following the conclusion of the second round. The tournament will conclude tomorrow.Hrinada climbed to first place in the overall standings after recording four strokes over par. South Africa’s Franco Rapp sits in second place with six over par, while Australia’s Andrew Ekstrom and England’s Andrew Saunders share third place with eight over par each.Team Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi holds fifth place with a total of 153 strokes (nine over par), followed by England’s Callum Fitzgerald at 11 over par, and the United Kingdom’s Dean Morris with 12 over par.Qatar’s Daniel Sokolov, along with his teammate Waqas Al Balushi and Australia’s Cam Cranor, occupy positions eighth to tenth, each recording 159 strokes (15 over par).A total of 37 players have qualified for the final round, scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday), including nine Qatari players: Saleh Al Kaabi, Daniel Sokolov, Waqas Al Balushi, Abdulaziz Al Buainain, Abdulaziz Al Shahrani, Abdulaziz Al Muhannadi, Fahad Mir, Jassim Al Kuwari, and Kamil bin Ruqayya.The البطولة is being played in an individual stroke-play format, with players competing over the first two rounds to determine the top performers who will advance to the decisive final round, which will crown the champion.For his part, Mohammed Faisal Al Nuaimi, Board Member of the Qatar Golf Association, highlighted the remarkable development of the Qatar International Golf Championship over the past four decades. He noted that the tournament continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading amateur events, attracting a growing number of international players and witnessing a steady rise in technical standards year after year.Al Nuaimi added that the tournament’s prominent status on the International Golf Federation calendar reflects its ongoing growth, emphasizing its role in discovering and developing talent, while providing players with valuable competitive experience.He also stressed that the championship serves as a genuine platform for excellence and a pathway toward professionalism, praising the improved performance of Qatari players in this year’s edition, with nine players qualifying for the final round. 

Doha: England’s Andrew Sanders fired an opening round of 72 to take the first-round lead at the 40th Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship, which got underway at the Doha Golf Club (DGC) on Thursday.In a field of 90 players competing over three days, Sanders set the early pace in the singles stroke-play format, finishing level par to hold a two-shot advantage over Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinda, who carded a 74. Australia’s Andrew Extrems was a further two shots back in third.Britain’s Dean Morris finished fourth after posting a five-over-par round, tied alongside Australia’s Cam Craner and England’s Callum Fitzgerald in a closely contested chasing group.Among the home contingent, Qatar’s defending champion Saleh Al Kaabi led the way, finishing seventh on 79, seven strokes over par, tied with Ireland’s Scott Holland Flynn and South Africa’s Franco Rabbi. Fellow Qatari Waqas Al-Balushi rounded out the top 10 with a score of 80.Rising prospect Daniel Sokolov placed 14th after an opening round of 82, while Abdulaziz Al-Buainain and Fahad Mir shared 23rd position on 86. Jaham Al-Kuwari finished 29th, tied with Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani and Kamil Bourqia.The tournament continues today with the second round, after which the top 50 players will progress to the final day.The championship winner will secure a coveted place in the Qatar Masters, adding further incentive in one of Qatar’s leading amateur events.