A High-Stakes Auction Day
At the scenic Pavilion of Emirates Golf Club (EGC), anticipation turned into action as ten franchise teams locked horns to build their rosters for UGC Season 3. With 100 amateur golfers up for grabs, the “player auction” saw 81 players drafted — including one standout securing a jaw-dropping bid of 680,000 points.
Each team is tasked with assembling a balanced 16-player squad that includes both men and women, across a range of handicaps and skill levels — adding both depth and diversity to the competition.
Teams Come Prepared — With Plans and Precision
Unlike previous seasons, the franchises this time came armed with strategies. Some, like defending champions Noble Legacy Masters, focused on low-handicap golfers to build a strong core. Others, like The A Team, emphasised balance — blending experience, temperament and “clutch-scoring” capability. Khaleej Times
Mentors and team owners spoke about treating the auction like a chessboard — analysing player handicaps, synergy potential, and long-term cohesion rather than chasing individual stars. As one mentor put it: “Balance, cohesion, and long-term team building.”
UGC Is Growing — Bigger, Broader, More Inclusive
Season 3 of UGC isn’t just about swapping players — it marks a bigger expansion in scale and ambition. The tournament now embraces 160 elite amateur golfers, spread across 10 franchise teams — a growth from previous editions.
With four major rounds scheduled at premier UAE courses — from seaside links to storied fairways — the event is shaping up as one of the region’s most anticipated social-sports spectacles.
What the Auction Means — More Than Just Team Building
The auction isn’t just a formal mechanism; it embodies a shift in UAE’s amateur golf culture. It blends competitiveness and community, inclusion and strategy. Teams are no longer merely collections of good players — they’re thoughtfully constructed squads, representing preparation, balance, and intent.
For the players, especially amateur and social golfers, UGC offers a chance to play under a franchise structure, enjoy camaraderie, and compete in a way that resembles professional tours — but grounded in community, passion, and accessibility.
Looking Ahead: What Season 3 Promises
With the auction complete and teams set, all eyes now shift to early 2026, when the first of four rounds begins. Expect fierce competition, rising stories of underdog triumphs, and a tournament that could redefine what social golf means in the UAE.
If strategy, balance, and team cohesion prove as important off the course as on it, UGC Season 3 might just set a new benchmark — not only for amateur golf, but for how sport, community and passion intersect in the Gulf.
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