The Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 3 commenced with spectacular displays of skill and strategy at Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, where defending champions Noble Legacy Masters established an early dominance in the team competition.
Under challenging coastal conditions at the Gary Player-designed oceanfront course, teams navigated both gusty winds and strategic complexities during Saturday’s opening round. The tournament format required each squad to field two sub-teams of five players from their 16-member rosters, with the best four Stableford scores from each sub-team contributing to the overall total.
Noble Legacy Masters, co-owned by Saket Kanoi and Achal Ghai, demonstrated why they remain the team to beat, posting an impressive 255 points through disciplined, conservative play. Their methodical approach created an eight-point cushion over second-place Meteora Magicians (247 points), while last season’s runners-up, The A Team, positioned themselves third with 234 points.
Achal Ghai, who personally contributed 34 points, emphasized the team’s tactical approach: ‘Our players followed the script in terms of being conservative and sensible rather than attempting excessively high scores. This disciplined strategy provided our team with an optimal foundation for the season.’
The individual competition witnessed a standout performance from The A Team’s Maura Duggan, who carded 40 Stableford points off a 10 handicap to lead the field. Her exceptional round highlighted the importance of accuracy and adaptability on the demanding links course.
‘Finding the fairways proved absolutely crucial today,’ Duggan explained. ‘The ball rolled out significantly, shortening approach shots. After an unsuccessful conservative attempt with a three-wood, I recommitted to aggressive driving, which ultimately yielded excellent results for both myself and the team.’
Duggan’s teammate Samvit Chopra reinforced The A Team’s strong position with 38 points, securing third place individually. Their combined efforts, supplemented by Vivek Chand’s 34 points, demonstrated the depth required to contend for the championship.
UGC Tournament Director Brandon de Sousa praised participants’ preparation and adaptability: ‘I was genuinely impressed with how teams approached Saadiyat’s challenges. Despite the wind and links-style complexities, their thorough preparation was evident in composed performances and promising results.’
The tournament continues with Noble Legacy Masters aiming to replicate their Season 2 victory, while challengers including Meteora Magicians and The A Team seek to close the gap in subsequent rounds.