Men's Golf Signs Rayan Ahmed
May 07, 2026 | Men's Golf
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's golf has signed Rayan Ahmed for the 2026-27 season.
"We are very excited about Rayan joining our UC Irvine golf family next season," UCI head coach Paul Smolinski said. "He has enjoyed great success competing internationally at the highest levels of junior and amateur golf. We are looking forward to being part of his development as he begins his collegiate golf career playing for the Anteaters next fall."
Ahmed is currently the No. 1 ranked male amateur in the United Arab Emirates. He recently earned a nine-shot victory in the Men's Division of the Ras Al Khaimah Mixed Open in February. He came in at 8-under 208 (71-64-73). His second-round 64 was an 18-hole personal best. Ahmed was also the individual medalist at the GJG UAE U23 Championship (65-67-69) and was the runner-up at the Montgomerie Men's Open in 2026.
Last year, Ahmed had five individual victories on the UAE amateur circuit. In addition, he placed sixth at the Pan Arab Men's Championship (75-68-71) and made the cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for the second year in a row. Ahmed tied for 24th in the latter event at 2-under (72-75-72-68).
In 2024, Ahmed won the U18 GCC Golf Championship and the GCC Youth Olympics. He also earned medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying at Columbine Country Club. With that victory, Ahmed went on to compete in both the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur.
Ahmed won three junior tournaments in 2023 and set tournament course records with a 65 (-7) at Montgomerie Golf Club and a 66 (-6) at Meydan Golf Club. With his success, Ahmed was named to the UAE Men's National Team, representing his country at the World Amateur Team Championship. He was also the runner-up at the UAE World Amateur Junior Championship.
"We are very excited about Rayan joining our UC Irvine golf family next season," UCI head coach Paul Smolinski said. "He has enjoyed great success competing internationally at the highest levels of junior and amateur golf. We are looking forward to being part of his development as he begins his collegiate golf career playing for the Anteaters next fall."
Ahmed is currently the No. 1 ranked male amateur in the United Arab Emirates. He recently earned a nine-shot victory in the Men's Division of the Ras Al Khaimah Mixed Open in February. He came in at 8-under 208 (71-64-73). His second-round 64 was an 18-hole personal best. Ahmed was also the individual medalist at the GJG UAE U23 Championship (65-67-69) and was the runner-up at the Montgomerie Men's Open in 2026.
Last year, Ahmed had five individual victories on the UAE amateur circuit. In addition, he placed sixth at the Pan Arab Men's Championship (75-68-71) and made the cut at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship for the second year in a row. Ahmed tied for 24th in the latter event at 2-under (72-75-72-68).
In 2024, Ahmed won the U18 GCC Golf Championship and the GCC Youth Olympics. He also earned medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying at Columbine Country Club. With that victory, Ahmed went on to compete in both the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Amateur.
Ahmed won three junior tournaments in 2023 and set tournament course records with a 65 (-7) at Montgomerie Golf Club and a 66 (-6) at Meydan Golf Club. With his success, Ahmed was named to the UAE Men's National Team, representing his country at the World Amateur Team Championship. He was also the runner-up at the UAE World Amateur Junior Championship.
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