Top 100 course, Yas Links Golf Club Supports Special Olympic Winners’ Ongoing Participation

This year, the world’s largest humanitarian sports event, the Special Olympics World Games was for the first time held in the Middle East. From 14th-21st March 2019, 192 countries traveled to Abu Dhabi to compete in Olympic sporting events including golf.

The golf tournament was hosted at the world renowned Yas Links Golf Club, an 18 hole Championship Links course designed by Kyle Phillips. Over 150 athletes competed in the tournament and were split into 5 divisions based on golfing ability. Level 1 athletes participated in skill challenges on both the driving range and the academy course. These skills challenges involved pitching over an obstacle, putting and chip shots, and iron/wood shots. Athletes in levels 2-5 competed in either 9 or 18 holes on the Championship course. In the Level 2 competition, Special Olympics Athletes were accompanied by a unified partner.

Yas Links Golf Club are delighted to share the following results of the UAE team:

Pieter Snyman – Gold (Level 1)

Ali bin Saif Al Sumaida – Silver (Level 1)

Saif Al Qubaisi – Bronze (Level 1) 

Gabrielle Snowden – 5th place (Level 1)

Vincent Bayer – Silver (Level 2)

Omar Al Bastaki, Unified Partner – Silver (Level 2)

Last week, Yas Links Golf Club gifted the Special Olympic Winners with membership packs to support their participation in the sport. Each athlete received complimentary golf membership at Yas Links for one year. This gives all athletes unlimited access to both the Championship Links course, Par 3 Academy, and driving range facilities.

“The athletes showed so much hard work, dedication and passion in the lead up to the games, taking part in weekly coaching and practice sessions with Director of Instruction, Mathew Parker. We, therefore, did not want this to just simply finish after the games, undoing all of their hard work. We would love to see all of the athletes continue to improve and develop so that the next time the games come around they can compete within a higher level. We are all so honored to be a part of such an incredible event and we look forward to seeing the athletes grow in their golf journey with our ongoing support,” - James Ibbetson, Director of Golf at Yas Links.

Yas Links Golf Club is dedicated to making golf accessible for everyone, to increase participation in the sport and to introduce the game to people regardless of age, gender, or ability.

Press Contacts

James Ibbetson, Director of Golf 
+971509230651 jibbeston[at]yaslinks.com