The sixteen top PGA Professionals in the country will be going all out to win back the prestigious Dubai Golf Trophy when they challenge the cream of the country’s amateur talent over two days of tense matchplay at Emirates Golf Club’s Wadi by Faldo course, beginning on Saturday May 24.

Now in its eighth year, the Ryder Cup-style contest, which is sponsored by Dubai Golf – the company which owns both Emirates and Dubai Creek Golf Clubs - pits the best professional and amateur golfing talent in the UAE against each other in a unique team contest. So far the pros lead the series 5-2.

However, last year the amateurs, led by their teenage quintet of Joel Neale, Matthew Turner, Khalid Yousuf, Sean Thornberry and Eric Hesson, stunned their opponents with a 21-11 demolition job.

The pros have responded this year by beefing up their own Order of Merit series, with an expanded tournament calendar to give them more competitive golf which has resulted in more than Dh82,000 in prize money being on offer during the season, thanks to the generous sponsorship of patrons Al Naboodah, Rotana Hotels, SpenglerFox and Dubai Golf Publishing.

Professional team captain for 2008 is Elliott Gray, of Arabian Ranches Golf Club, and he said: “I’m sure it will be another tremendous match and and hope that the spirit equals that of last year.”

Steve Kelly is captain of the amateur team, and he is well aware that the pros, having had their pride severely dented last year, will be firing on all cylinders from the first tee on Saturday morning.

Kelly said: “They have a few new players this year and their top players all seem to be in good form in recent tournaments, so I’m sure it will be a top-class tournament with some great golf played.”

Gray responded: “Steve is a good friend and I know he wants to keep the trophy in the amateurs’ cabinet, but in golf anything can happen.”

Kelly has some new faces in his side to go with the young “Famous Five” and the experience of the likes of John Mills, Alex Charawani, Dino Varkey, Mukthar Mirza and Vikram Judge will prove invaluable.

Intriguingly, he has paired two of rookies, Peter Shaw and Biren Dey, for the opening morning fourballs on Saturday.

“Some people might think that is a strange decision,” said Kelly. “But I think it’s better to give them a ‘baptism of fire’ and see how they cope, rather than try to shield them by putting them with some more experienced players.

“I have every confidence in them and I know they will play a great match.”

Highlight of a mouth-watering series of opening fourballs looks to be the very opening match, where PGA Order of Merit Champion for the past two years, Simon Payne, partners Craig Martin against UGA Amateur Order of Merit 2008 champion Joel Neale and reigning UAE National Champion Khalid Yousuf. They tee off at 7.45am on Saturday.

The fifth match out is also shaping up for a tremendous battle as Nick Oakley and James Bowring, second and third respectively in the recent Black Tee Challenge at Emirates Golf Club go up against amateur skipper Kelly and the highly experienced and talented John Mills.

DUBAI GOLF TROPHY

Morning fourballs, Saturday May 24,

Wadi Course, Emirates GC (professional team names first)

7.45 Simon Payne & Craig Martin v Joel Neale & Khalid Yousuf

7.55 Stephen Hubner & Richard Sheridan v Mukthar Mirza & Jamal Saab

8.05 Luke Cantelo & Malcolm Young v Peter Shaw & Biren Dey

8.15 David Gray & Dave Adams v John Fellingham & Vikram Judge

8.25 Nick Oakley & James Bowring v John Mill & Steve Kelly

8.35 Jamie Wood & Stuart Fee v Eric Hesson & Ariel Ignacio

8.45 Greg Holmes & Justin Parsons v Alex Charawani & Dino Varkey

8.55 Alan MacKenzie & Ross McArthur v Matthew Turner & Sean Thornberry

Professionals Captain: Elliott Gray. Vice-captain: Justin Parsons

Amateurs Captain: Steve Kelly. Vice-captain: Paul King

On Saturday afternoon, the teams will play eight foursomes matches eeing off from approximately 12.30.

On Sunday they will play 16 singles matches, teeing off from 11.20am.

For more information on the UAE PGA or their activities please contact Julian Danby, UAE PGA Secretary, on 050 456 0779 or email jdanby@dubaigolf.com