The Jumeirah Golf Estates Scratch Team were crowned champions of the 2025 Scratch League, securing the title for the first time in the Club’s history.
Despite boasting a rich membership of highly skilled, low-handicap players, the Club had never previously managed to lift the Scratch League trophy.
The Final, and second leg, was closely contested at The Els Club, with all four matches reaching the final two holes in front of both home and away spectators. However, strong finishes down the closing stretch from Team JGE proved decisive, as the day ended in a commanding 3.5 – 0.5 victory for the away side, making history for Tom Stephenson’s team.
Highlights from the dramatic finale included a superb long-range birdie putt from Jake Chute on the tricky par-3 17th, holed from off the green. Meanwhile, Louis Thorne produced a clutch chip-in par to halve the 15th hole, before his partner Aayan Dadabhoy sealed the contest in style with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes in the final match, rounding off a memorable and historic day for Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Reflecting on the achievement, 2025 Club Champion and Scratch Team Captain Tom Stephenson said: “We are absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to have secured the Scratch League title for the first time in the history of Jumeirah Golf Estates Golf Club.
“This achievement means a great deal to all of us, as it reflects the hard work, commitment, and unity the team has shown throughout the season. As captain, it has been a privilege to witness the dedication, resilience, and team spirit displayed by every player. The way the team supported one another, stayed focused under pressure, and represented the club with such professionalism truly made this victory special.
“This win is not just about a trophy; it is a milestone that highlights the culture we are building at the club. We hope this historic success will serve as a foundation and stepping stone for many more achievements in the years to come.”
The 2025 Men’s Captain of Jumeirah Golf Estates, Carl Downham, a long-time advocate of scratch golf and a highly accomplished player himself, also praised the team’s efforts: “It’s been a strong performance from JGE’s Scratch Team throughout the entire season, and this win is thoroughly deserved. To achieve our first ever Scratch League victory is a fantastic milestone, and I’m excited to see whether we can repeat the success in 2026. Congratulations to Tom, who has been an outstanding team captain.”
Jumeirah Golf Estates is immensely proud of this landmark achievement on making Club history and looks forward to watching the Scratch Team in their efforts to defend their title next season.
See below the full Jumeirah Golf Estates Scratch Team
Aayan Dadabhoy
Carl Downham
Dan Dickinson
David Bainbridge
Jake Chute
Jay Mullane
JJ O’Toole
Lauri Paasilina
Louis Thorne
Lukas Astrom
Mark Schoombie
Mo Craig
Oscar Craig
Paul McMahon
Tom Neale
Tom Stephenson
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Main Image: Supplied
