The Ultimate Golf Challenge (UGC) has emerged as one of the United Arab Emirates’ most captivating amateur team tournaments, with Irish golfer Maura Duggan’s journey epitomizing the event’s competitive spirit and camaraderie. In Season 2, Duggan made her debut with The A Team, owned by Aman and Ayesha Chopra, forming a formidable partnership with fellow female golfer Nonita Chand. Their stylish and highly competitive squad narrowly missed claiming the championship, falling to Noble Legacy Masters in a tightly contested finale.
Reflecting on her inaugural UGC experience, Duggan described initial apprehensions: ‘It was genuinely daunting having heard about Season One’s intensity. Meeting teammates at Aman’s house and understanding their expectations after their third-place previous finish added pressure.’ However, the tournament’s organization and welcoming atmosphere quickly alleviated her concerns. ‘The Ultimate Challenge is impeccably organized with no external pressures beyond playing your best game. Opponents were incredibly friendly yet competitively focused.’
The team’s silver medal achievement represented a remarkable comeback after disappointing initial rounds. ‘We were thoroughly depressed after rounds one and two,’ Duggan recalled. ‘But our final round surge to second place provided one of my golfing career’s highlights—hearing our team named for silver medals generated an incredible buzz.’
Being selected among Aman Chopra’s ‘Forever Eight’ direct picks carried profound significance for Duggan. ‘Aman’s confidence in players is absolute. His hands-on approach extends to every detail—from hat selection to daily shirt colors—creating unparalleled team cohesion. His loyalty to retaining top performers during player auctions demonstrates exceptional leadership.’
With Season 3 scheduled for 2026, Duggan and The A Team approach the competition with renewed determination. ‘Our aspiration is unequivocally gold—we’ve achieved third and second places, leaving victory as the only remaining objective,’ she stated. ‘Last year’s experience will prove invaluable when competing alongside players of varying abilities. The strategy remains focusing on individual performance while maximizing point accumulation for team success.’
The A Team’s distinctive culture, built on trust, loyalty and dedicated ownership, positions them as formidable contenders for the upcoming season. As Duggan prepares to don the team jersey again, her combination of talent, dedication and team spirit embodies the tournament’s growing prestige in UAE’s amateur golf landscape.