Celli’s Sweet Swing Returns for UAE Double-Header Delight
Italian ace eager for Al Zorah debut as HotelPlanner Tour tees off in the Emirates
Augusta, Georgia - Filippo Celli is revelling in the chance to make his Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club debut this week as the UAE Challenge begins a two-stop swing for the HotelPlanner Tour in the United Arab Emirates.
The 24-year-old Italian, who rejoined the HotelPlanner Tour in January following a stint on the DP World Tour, is currently 15th in the Road to Mallorca standings after a series of promising early-season performances.
“I love it here,” said Celli. “It’s amazing—the golf course and the whole place. I’ve never played here before, but it looks very fun. I can’t wait to start the week.”
Al Zorah, a first-time venue on the Road to Mallorca schedule, offers generous fairways but devilish greens. “The greens are very slopy,” he added. “If you miss on the wrong side, it’s tough to get up and down. So, we’ll need to be careful with where we miss it.”
Celli heads into the UAE Challenge fresh off a tied fourth-place finish at the Delhi Challenge, where a blistering final-round 65 vaulted him up the leaderboard. He credits patience as the defining factor behind his recent form.
“I don’t have an exact goal this week,” he said. “Just enjoy it, stay patient and try to play my best. Of course, I always try to compete and win—but it’s about playing well each day and letting the rest take care of itself.”
Joining Celli in a strong Ajman field are DP World Tour winners Eddie Pepperell and Renato Paratore, as well as Road to Mallorca Number Two, Joshua Berry. The event also reflects a broader vision for golf in the region, supported by the Emirates Golf Federation and sponsors including Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore.
Thirty spots in each tournament are reserved for UAE-based players as part of a long-term initiative to grow the game across the country.
Tee times begin at 6:30am tomorrow, with Celli starting his challenge at 12:10pm alongside Australia’s Danny List and Scotland’s Daniel Young.