Egyptian Success in Riyadh: National Golf Team Shines as Omar Hesham Praises the Pharaohs’ Stars

The Egyptian men’s national golf team secured two silver medals at the conclusion of the 43rd Arab Golf Championship, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the participation of 13 Arab nations.

 

The team — comprising Issa Aboulela, Adam El Shami, Mohamed Aboulela, and Alaa El-Din Salama — finished second in both the individual and team events, behind Morocco, which retained the team title for the third consecutive year.

 

Egypt claimed second place under the supervision of Ahmed El-Shelqany, board member of the Egyptian Golf Federation and general supervisor of the national teams, and under the guidance of the newly appointed national teams’ head coach Stuart Clayton. The team finished 14 strokes behind Morocco, while the UAE secured third place.

 

Egypt’s standout performer, Issa Aboulela, delivered a remarkable display in the third and final round, earning widespread praise after carding nine-under-par at Riyadh Golf Club — the best round recorded by any player in the championship.

 

Aboulela came within one stroke of winning the individual title, ultimately finishing runner-up behind Morocco’s Youssef El Hali, who clinched the gold medal.

 

The Egyptian team successfully reclaimed its standing on the Arab stage just one year after leaving the previous championship in the UAE empty-handed.

 

Player selection for this year’s championship in Saudi Arabia was based on clear technical criteria, including international rankings, performance in qualifiers, and giving opportunities to rising talents in cases of equal technical levels. The squad members — Issa, Adam, rising 16-year-old talent Alaa El-Din in his first senior appearance, and Mohamed Aboulela — all proved their capabilities and potential.

 

The team also received significant moral support before and during the tournament, with Federation President Omar Hesham Talaat and Vice President Eng. Mohamed Anwar accompanying the players in Saudi Arabia to motivate them and encourage maximum effort — support that clearly paid off.

 

Ahead of the championship, Egypt implemented a strong preparation program that included multiple domestic and international tournaments, among them three major world-class events hosted in Egypt, providing valuable technical exposure to diverse golfing styles.