A proud and unforgettable moment for Royal Malta Golf Club and for golf in Malta.
Hosting the 2026 European Men’s and Ladies’ Team Shield Championships marked a major milestone as the first international championship of this level to be staged in Malta since the country affiliated with the European Golf Association in 2007.
Following RMGC’s significant investment in its new greens, the Club was able to welcome 24 teams from 18 nations for four days of international competition. A record-equalling 14 men’s teams and 10 ladies’ teams took part, with each championship beginning with an individual stroke-play qualifier before progressing into three days of knockout match play.
The standard of golf throughout the week was exceptional. Turkey’s Zeynep Sualp set a new ladies’ course record with a three-under-par round, while Cyprus’ Andreas Loizides matched the men’s course record with an outstanding five-under-par score. Just as impressive, however, was the spirit in which the championship was played, with respect, integrity and camaraderie demonstrated by players, captains and officials throughout the week.
For Malta, the championship ended with two remarkable achievements.
The Malta Ladies’ Team of Elliana Buhagiar, Laya Cristina, Serena Falzon Sant Manduca and Filippa Schulze Doering produced a tremendous performance to reach the final. After victories over Ukraine and San Marino, they pushed a strong Turkish team to the closing holes of every match before securing Malta’s first silver medal in the championship.
The Malta Men’s Team of Andy Borg, Ruud Critien, Oliver Davies and JJ Micallef Verelst created history of their own. Following victories over Romania and Latvia—including a dramatic semifinal decided after four extra holes—they faced Turkey in a thrilling gold-medal match. With the contest tied after 18 holes, Malta’s foursomes pair held their nerve to win on the 19th and secure the country’s first-ever EGA gold medal.
Both teams represented Malta with immense pride and distinction. Congratulations must also go to coach Nicholas Zaher, Ladies’ Captain Noah Gratil, playing captain Ruud Critien and mental-performance coach Andreas Schwaab for their contribution to an extraordinary week.
An event of this scale is only possible through strong leadership and genuine teamwork. Our sincere thanks go to William Beck, President of the Malta Golf Association, and to the entire European Golf Association team for their guidance, support and professionalism.
Our agronomy, catering, front-of-house and pro shop teams, together with our PGA Professional Henning Schulze-Doering, went above and beyond to ensure the championship ran smoothly. The commitment and teamwork shown across every area of the Club was outstanding.
A special thank you must also go to our members. Hosting the championship required them to give up their course for the week, while many also volunteered their time and generously loaned their trolleys to the participating teams. Their patience, encouragement and willingness to help played an essential part in making the event such a success.
We also extend our appreciation to the EGA, The R&A, Malta Golf Association, Marsa Sports Club, SportMalta, Malta Olympic Committee, VisitMalta, AX ODYCY, Paramount Coaches, the FRCM medical team and every volunteer and partner who supported the championship.
A massive thank you to everyone involved for helping put Royal Malta Golf Club and Malta firmly on the European golfing map.
This was a week that created history—and one we will remember for a very long time.
📸 To view the official photo gallery from the championships, please follow the link below:
https://www.ega-golf.ch/content/photo-gallery-2026-european-team-shield-championships
