Arab Golf Championships Take Mideastern Golfers to Morocco

During the upcoming week male and female golfers from fifteen countries will take to the fairways at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in Rabat, capitol of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The 31st Arab Golf Championships begins on September 14th and golfers from Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Bahrain, Syria... and Morroco... will compete at the Robert Trent Jones designed golf venue  in Men's, Women's and Junior categories.

The Arab Spring brought a wave of protests and demonstrations to cities and towns across the Middle East and North Africa.. and unrest continues in many places.  There's a new sense of pride and empowerment in many parts of the region... but also a sense that the upheaval will continue for some time to come.  Some sporting events in the Middle East have even been canceled, so it's testament to the dedication of athletes, organizers and sponsors that this... and other golf events... are taking place as scheduled.

We've written in the past about the growth of golf in Middle Eastern countries, and efforts to bring the game to the local, native-born populations. We've also done stories on some up-and-coming players including  Ahmad Al Musharrakh and Khalid Yousuf who'll both be representing the UAE next week in the Moroccan capital.

The UAE contingent will also include the Dr. Rabab Al Haj... a physician at Dubai Hospital... who'll be competing for individual honors in the women’s category.

Along with fellow Emeraiti golfer Eida Al Mehairbi, Dr. Al Haj made history at last year's Arab Golf Championships forming the UAE's first women's team to compete in the event.

The standard of the golfers and golf facilities in the Middle East has risen substantially over the past decade.  The fact that the game will return to the Olympics in 2016... as well as the announcement of the new MENA Golf Tour.... ensures that the game will continue to grow in the years to come.