The Emirates Golf Federation’s 2025–2026 season will reach its climax next month when the EGF Order of Merit Championship tees off at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from May 8–10, 2026, bringing together many of the UAE’s leading amateur players for one of the most important events on the domestic calendar.
Serving as the season-ending championship, the tournament will showcase the strength and depth of amateur golf in the Emirates, with elite men’s and women’s players competing alongside some of the country’s rising junior prospects in a three-day test with major ranking implications.
A field of 56 players has qualified for the championship through performances across the season, earning their places through consistency and results in Emirates Golf Federation events. A limited number of wildcard entries will also complete the field, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a competitive finale.
At stake will be the titles of Best Male Player and Best Female Player for the 2025–2026 campaign, with the championship expected to play a decisive role in determining the season’s top honors.
Season Finale With High Stakes
The Order of Merit Championship has become one of the premier events in UAE amateur golf, and this year’s edition carries additional significance.
With double ranking points available, players have even more on the line than usual. The increased points allocation could prove pivotal in deciding multiple season-long standings, while also intensifying competition heading into the final event of the campaign.
Beyond domestic honors, the championship also offers valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, giving competitors the opportunity to strengthen their international standing while competing on home soil.
For many in the field, that adds another important layer to an already high-stakes week.
The event also represents the final opportunity for players to secure qualification for the prestigious Dubai Golf Trophy, one of the UAE’s most anticipated annual golf events and a coveted target for amateurs across the country.
With so much still to be decided, the championship arrives as more than a season closer — it is a defining week for many of the UAE’s top players.
Spotlight On UAE Amateur Talent
One of the tournament’s biggest strengths is the depth of talent on display.
The field will feature many of the highest-ranked players in the Federation’s Order of Merit standings, alongside emerging junior golfers who continue to elevate the future of the game in the Emirates.
That mix of established contenders and rising prospects reflects the growing strength of the UAE amateur scene and the continued progress of player development pathways in the country.
It also reinforces the Emirates Golf Federation’s long-term focus on building competitive opportunities for players at every level.
Junior competitions scheduled across Saturday and Sunday will further add to the championship atmosphere, creating a week that celebrates both elite amateur performance and the next generation of talent.
Al Ain To Host Fitting Championship Stage
The choice of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club provides a fitting venue for the season finale.
Known for its championship-caliber layout and desert golf character, the venue has long been respected as one of the UAE’s standout inland courses. Its testing design and tournament pedigree make it an ideal stage for a championship expected to be decided by fine margins.
Players will face a course capable of rewarding precision while demanding consistency over three rounds — exactly the kind of examination expected for an Order of Merit title.
For competitors, there may be no better venue for a season-ending showdown.
Growing Momentum For UAE Amateur Golf
The championship also comes at a time of growing momentum for amateur golf in the UAE.
Participation pathways continue to strengthen, junior development has expanded, and Emirati and UAE-based players have increasingly gained exposure in regional and international competition.
Events such as the Order of Merit Championship play a central role in that growth.
They do not simply crown champions.
They help prepare players for the next level.
That importance was echoed by Emirates Golf Federation President General Abdullah Al Hashmi, who described the championship as the culmination of an outstanding season and a celebration of the commitment shown by players throughout the year.
His remarks also reflected the Federation’s continued ambition to raise standards and create greater opportunities for UAE golfers to compete internationally.
That vision has become increasingly evident across the domestic game.
A Strong Finish To The Season
As the 2025–2026 campaign approaches its conclusion, the EGF Order of Merit Championship promises a compelling finish to the season.
With titles to be decided, ranking points on offer, Dubai Golf Trophy qualification in play, and many of the nation’s best amateurs competing, the championship has all the ingredients of a fitting finale.
For players, it is the last big opportunity of the season.
For UAE amateur golf, it is a showcase of progress.
And for fans of the game, it offers another reminder that the future of golf in the Emirates continues to look bright.
When the opening shots are struck in Al Ain on May 8, a season’s work will come down to one final championship.
And much will be on the line.
