Staff WriterFilippo Celli is set to make waves at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club as he prepares for this week’s UAE Challenge, the opening event of the HotelPlanner Tour’s Middle Eastern swing.
Returning to the Tour in January at the SDC Open after a competitive season on the DP World Tour, Celli has swiftly climbed to 15th in the early Road to Mallorca Rankings—a testament to his evolving game and appetite for challenge.
The Italian’s debut at Al Zorah, a venue making its first appearance on the Road to Mallorca schedule, has him buzzing with excitement for what lies ahead.
“I love it here,” he said. “It’s amazing, the golf course and the place, so I’m really enjoy playing here. I’ve never played here before; it’s the first time but it looks very fun. Right now, I really like it, it’s fun. I can’t wait to start the week.
“The greens are very slopy, so if you miss from the wrong side, it’s not very easy to get up and down, so we have to be careful on the missing spots and that’s it. From the tee it’s forgiving, but it’s going to be cool.”
At just 24, Celli has already played five times on the HotelPlanner Tour this season, with his standout seven-under-par 65 final round at the Delhi Challenge signalling not just talent, but an unwavering commitment to his craft.
“I don’t have an exact goal this week, but I try and enjoy every week,” he added. “Just be patient, enjoy and try and play my best golf every week. This week I will try to compete and try to win. The goal is to win every week.
“The key in Delhi was the patience and just waiting for the right moment to make some birdies and that’s what I did well. The key obviously is to try and play as best as I can and be patient.”
Celli now finds himself competing against a formidable field in Ajman that includes two-time DP World Tour winners Eddie Pepperell and Renato Paratore, alongside Road to Mallorca Number Two Joshua Berry.
The UAE Challenge, supported by sponsors such as Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore, is part of a robust long-term partnership between the European Tour and the Emirates Golf Federation.
This collaboration is designed to nurture local talent by awarding thirty spots in each tournament, offering aspiring UAE golfers invaluable opportunities to shine on an international stage.
With the first round scheduled to begin tomorrow at 06:30 am local time and Celli teeing off at 12:10 alongside Australian Danny List and Scotsman Daniel Young, the stage is set for a week brimming with potential.
As anticipation builds for another exciting chapter in Middle Eastern golf, Filippo Celli remains focused, patient, and ready to seize every moment in pursuit of his ultimate goal—winning every week.
