The International Golf Federation has selected the Emirates Golf Federation as the host of the 2023 World Amateur Team Championship. The selection was made in the IGF’s biennial meeting this week, which was held virtually. The Emirates Golf Federation beat out Singapore Golf Federation, the other finalist.
The Emirates Golf Federation will bring the World Amateur Team Championship, an event that dates to 1958, to the Middle East for the first time. Fewer teams will also compete and on only one course: The Emirates Golf Federation presented the Greg Norman-designed Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai as the host venue. The reduced field of 36 teams was approved in the IGF’s 2018 meeting. The idea was to lessen the cost and complexity of hosting the event.
“Both candidates provided exceptionally strong bid proposals, which was duly noted by both the IGF Administrative Committee and the IGF Bid Panel,” said Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the IGF. “We greatly appreciate the interest and strong case presented by the Singapore Golf Association. At the same time, the Emirates Golf Federation made a compelling case that resonated with our member organisations and we’re very excited to be holding our first World Amateur Team Championships in the Middle East region. We look forward to working with the Emirates Golf Federation to deliver a memorable event and experience for the athletes in 2023.”
The World Amateur Team Championship also now moves to an odd year to avoid conflicting with the summer Olympic Games. The 2022 championship is already scheduled, meaning the event will be played in back-to-back years.
The 2022 championships are scheduled for two courses near Paris: Le Golf National, host of the 2018 Ryder Cup Match and future host of the 2024 Olympic golf competition, and Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, host of 33 editions of the Lancôme Trophy, will host the men’s and women’s championships.