Player Auction triggers excitement as Tournament Director declares, ‘The UGC is here to stay’

The Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC), a one-of-a-kind team event designed to engage and excite both players and fans, proved its growing status within the UAE's golf community with a spirited Player Auction at Emirates Golf Club's Pavilion, marking the official countdown to its much-anticipated second season in 2025.

Tournament Director Brandon De Souza captured the excitement and enduring appeal of the tournament, which debuted last year in the UAE, when he declared: “The Ultimate Golf Challenge is here to stay.”

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“Firstly, I'm delighted that many of the teams that played last year have returned," he said. "I saw a lot of familiar faces, which is key to this event, and I also saw many friendly new ones.

“The 3 handicap categories were generous, but at the same time, there was plenty of depth for everyone to pick from. Nobody got left out-whether they are a zero handicapper or a 21 handicapper.

“For me, it's a great playing field, and I think the players are going to love it,” added Brandon, a former pro player, coach, administrator, consultant & television expert.

The Ultimate Golf Challenge stands out for its unique format and inclusive appeal, combining strategy, competition, and camaraderie across 10 franchise teams, each comprising 14 players, both male and female.

The auction saw owners retain up to eight players and bid strategically for six additional golfers across three handicap groups: low, mid, and high.

Kunal Seth, a member of the UGC organizing committee, echoed the excitement saying: “The Ultimate Golf Challenge 2025 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever,”

“This tournament has captured the imagination of the golf community, bringing together a perfect blend of competition, camaraderie, and fun.

“With 140 players, both men and women, competing in this popular social event, it's a celebration of the diversity and inclusiveness that golf represents,” added Seth. “The tournament is not just about the sport; it's about building connections, creating memorable experiences, and inspiring a passion for the game.

“The buzz around the auction and the enthusiasm of the players and team owners are testament to how much this tournament means to everyone involved. I think the competition this year will be tougher, more thrilling, and even more entertaining to watch."

With 10 carefully curated teams now in place, all eyes are on the fairways when the battle for UGC honours begins at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on January 30, 2025. The action then moves to the Emirates Golf Club, which will host the second leg at the Faldo Course on February 7 and the finale on February 13, on the famed Majlis course.

The anticipation for the Ultimate Golf Challenge 2025 is reaching new heights, promising yet another remarkable season. With its unique format, inclusive spirit, and vibrant community atmosphere, the UGC continues to redefine how the game of golf is played and celebrated at the amateur level.

Players and fans alike can look forward to a tournament that not only showcases competitiveness but also fosters camaraderie that extends far beyond the fairways.

Event Dates

Round 1 : 30th January, 2025 @ Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Round 2 : 7th February 2025 @ Faldo Course, Emirates Golf Club

Round 3 : 13th February 2025 @ Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club (Walking)

Team Details

ALPHA NINJAS

Owners: Manu Jeswani and Sanjay Advani

Mentor: Kabir Luthra

DESERT KNIGHTS

Owners: Marwan Hadi and Shames Al Hashemi

Mentor : Tariq Chaudhry

METEORA MAGICIANS

Owners: Praveen Sharma and Vikas Sachar

Mentor: Saravjeet Talwar

THE BRAIN & PERFORMANCE CENTER

Owners: Dr Craig Cook and Gwillym Poole

Mentor: Darryl Cox

SHERSHAAH EAGLES

Owners: Ajay Shah and Harry Gandhi

Mentor: Vipen Sethi

SULTANS OF SWING

Owners: Sanjay Pahwa and Amol Awasthi

Mentor : Vijay Devnani

THE A TEAM

Owners: Ayesha Chopra & Aman Chopra

Mentor: Badru Hilal

THREE COMMA MASTERS

Owner: Anmol Budhraja

Mentor: Veneet Mohan

TRISTAR GLADIATORS

Owners: Mukesh Kochhar and Eugene Mayne

Mentor : Devanand Kurup

NOBLE LEGACY MASTERS

Captains: Saket Kanoi and Achal Ghai

Mentor: Maneesh Dungarwal

Format

Day 1 : Teams to nominate 5 teams of two players each from which four best cumulative Stableford scores will count as the team total.

Day 2 : Teams to nominate five pairs i.e., 10 players who will play best ball Stableford & four out of the five pairs will count for the team total.

Day 3 : Team to nominate 10 players who will play individual Stableford & eight best scores will count towards the team total.

Using the above scores, the UGC winners will be the team with the highest total of cumulative Stableford points of all three rounds.