Asia-Pacific Women’s Amateur Championship Follow Men to the UAE

Abu Dhabi Golf Club - UAE (Photo-Website)

The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) have announced that the 2021 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship will be staged at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 10-13 November.

As announced in NZ Golf Magazine back in July, the Men’s event will go ahead at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club from 3 to 6 November.

The WAAP, won by home favourite Yuka Yasuda of Japan in 2019, makes a return to the international golf schedule for the first time since the global pandemic interrupted golf championships around the world.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive at The R&A, said after the disruption caused by the pandemic over the last 18 months they were excited to be staging the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship at such a fantastic venue in Abu Dhabi.

“It is more important than ever to provide opportunities for elite women amateurs to compete in the Asia-Pacific and we look forward to another thrilling championship in November,” Slumbers said.

Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC said the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship has been a wonderful addition to the APGC’s golfing calendar.

“We very much look forward to welcoming it back to the schedule following last year’s postponement due to Covid-19,” Amin said.

“Not only does the WAAP present our leading female players the chance to compete against their peers, but it also acts as an inspiration for all up-and-coming golfers.

“This year’s historic win at the US Women’s Open by Yuka Saso, joint runner-up in the inaugural WAAP, served to underline the importance of this championship as a platform for the game’s development and rising talent in the region.”

Yuka Saso poses with the trophy after winning the 2021 U.S. Women's Open on the third playoff hole at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Robert Beck/USGA)
Yuka Saso poses with the trophy after winning the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open on the third playoff hole at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Robert Beck/USGA)

The Peter Harradine-designed course opened in 1998 complete with saltwater lakes, ornamental trees and palms along with lush playing surfaces, bold strategic bunkering and large greens making this championship course an excellent test for Asia’s best women golfers.

Mr Andrea Faldella, Club Operations Manager at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club said the National Course will be a tough test for the players, with each hole offering a unique layout of risk and reward opportunities.

“We look forward to hosting a safe and successful championship and helping The R&A, APGC and EGF to grow the game in the region,” Faldella said.

Just three years after the inaugural WAAP, two players from that first field have gone on to the highest echelons of the sport by becoming Major Champions. 21-year-old Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand claimed victory at the ANA Inspiration in April and 19-year-old Yuka Saso of the Philippines won the US Women’s Open in June to become the first player from the Philippines, male or female, to win a Major.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand celebrates with the trophy after winning the final round of the ANA Inspiration at the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand celebrates with the trophy after winning the final round of the ANA Inspiration at the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The WAAP was developed by The R&A and APGC to unearth emerging talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs to the international stage. The winner earns invitations to play in the AIG Women’s Open and The Amundi Evian Championship, as well as an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

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