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As the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 3 takes a short break in March, the Meteora Magicians are sitting comfortably in third place after two competitive rounds at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

For team owner Praveen Sharma, the position is encouraging, but what matters most is how the team approaches the final two rounds ahead. The Magicians have accumulated 360 points, with Noble Legacy Masters topping the leaderboard on 391 points, nine clear of second-placed The A Team.

Since its 2024 debut, the Ultimate Golf Challenge has redefined corporate golf in the UAE, with 10 teams, 160 players, and 350 rounds across four competitive rounds.

“We’re quite happy with where we are at the moment,” Sharma said. “The first two rounds were competitive, and the team has done well to stay in touch with the leaders. There’s still a long way to go, so I think the focus is just on improving steadily rather than chasing anything too quickly.”

With the gap to the top still within reach, Sharma believes that consistency, rather than taking risks, will define their challenge when play resumes at Dubai Creek Resort on April 2.

Focus on steady play

“I don’t think we need to change too much,” he explained. “The format rewards good teamwork and steady play. If we keep things simple, support each other, and avoid mistakes, we should give ourselves a chance to move up.”

Sharma prefers to highlight the team as a whole rather than focus on individual contributions

“We’ve been fortunate to have contributions from different players in each round,” he said. “It’s not about one or two people. Everyone has a role to play, and I think if we continue like that, it will help us in the long run.”

With three weeks to go before Round 3, the break gives the team a valuable opportunity to regroup.

“The break has come at a good time,” Sharma noted. “It gives everyone a chance to reset a little, work on their own game, and come back refreshed. We’ll stay in touch as a team, but nothing too intense, just making sure everyone feels ready when we return.”

Round 3 at Dubai Creek will see teams nominate five pairs in a best-ball Stableford format, with the four best scores counting, putting a premium on both individual performance and teamwork.

The season finale at the Faldo Course in May will then shift to individual Stableford, where the top eight scores will decide the final standings.

For Sharma and his Meteora Magicians, the mindset is clear: stay patient, stay grounded, and let the results follow.