What would a compilation of the Middle East’s favourite holes look like? Stunning. Long. And very, very tough. Welcome to the region’s dream 18.

By Kent Gray
“The ideal hole is surely one that affords the greatest pleasure to the greatest number, gives the fullest advantage for accurate play, stimulates players to improve their game, and never becomes monotonous.”

Alister MacKenzie departed this life 86 years ago, more than 50 years before golf first met grass in Dubai and longer still before the game spread its virtuous tentacles around the Middle East.

But if he could, the revered British course architect surely would doff his Tam o’ Shanter to this, our compilation of the Middle East’s favourite holes.

Judged by the expert panel that brought you Golf Digest’s Top 10 Courses of the Middle East 2020 ranking (click here) and dreamed into a composite 18 by the editorial team, this is an impressive and imposing test of golf.

The criteria to be considered for the region’s dream 18? The same exhaustive process that determines the world’s most respected course rating system, a series of seven categories which reward shot values, design variety, resistance to scoring, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning and ambience. The kicker is that holes had to receive at least 75 per cent of the panel’s collective ‘your favourite hole’ vote at a respective course to be considered.

There is nothing more subjective in sport than the apples versus pears ranking of players or matches from different eras. The same can be applied to the rating of golf courses where one players manicured hybrid of parkland and desert, is another’s modern-day seaside layout, or, in the Middle East at least, yet another’s inland links wannabe. Drill down further to individual holes and the debate is even hotter. The most impartial way to measure that is with Golf Digest’s internationally trusted formula.

What is indisputable is that our composite layout complies to the criteria of the ideal hole as MacKenzie once famously hypothesised. Each and every hole inspires, demands accuracy (or acceptance of a lack thereof), will send you to the range searching for solutions and could never, ever be considered tedious. Enjoy.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club’s iconic 16th makes the cut in our favourite holes selection.

1. The 16th, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
488 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 1
We’re fans of course architects who like to ease you into a round with a simple hole, providing, if not a birdie chance, then a relatively straight forward shot at par. There is no such luxury at our composite course. With its tight tee shot, magnetic waste bunker hugging almost the entire right-hand side of the fairway and approach over yet more sand to a deceptively large green well protected by humps and hollows, par is no cinch. Add in a breeze off the Arabian Sea and, well, good luck. This hole is stunningly brutal, a bit like designer Gary Player’s fitness regime.

READ MORE: Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

Soak in those Red Sea views on the 16th at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia

2. The 16th, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
180 Yards, Par 3, Stroke Index 16
We’ve gone for a par-4, par-3, par-5 opening to our composite 18 to test every club in your bag early. You won’t find many short holes in the Middle East more picturesque than the last par 3 on the Kingdom’s most recognisable course but don’t be lulled by those turquoise Red Sea views. Dustin Johnson nearly lost the inaugural Saudi International here before producing a miraculous recovery from the drop zone for a bogey to hold off Li Haotong in 2019.  Take par and run.

Any par on the closing hole at The Address Montgomerie Dubai will help you soar up the club’s monthly medal leaderboard

3. The 18th, The Address Montgomerie Dubai
656 Yards, Par 5, Stroke Index 1
How many good and great rounds at The Monty have been sunk by Colin’s (in)-famous closing hole? Finding dry land off one of the numerous teeing grounds is cause for mini celebration but this par 5 will keep you sweating till the end. The hole is relatively straight forward if you can get off the tee but isn’t it amazing how sensible strategy goes out the window with so much water everywhere, or how you suddenly chunk a wedge that has been co-operating so well until now? The potential sucker punch is under clubbing what should be your third (but probably your fourth, fifth of sixth) shot into the green. You deserve a drink but we are only getting started…

The 18th at Greg Norman’s Muscat gem, Al Mouj Golf, tests the European Tour’s best in the Oman Open so don’t fret your score

4. The 18th, Al Mouj Golf
410 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 9
Speaking of tough closing holes with watery graves…

The 18th at Greg Norman’s Muscat masterpiece tests the mettle of the European Tour’s top players at the Oman Open so it’s a given that it will keep the blowtorch focused on your ball striking now you’ve warmed your way into our composite course. Slicers can’t aim far enough left off this tee – and invariably they’ll hit it straight into trouble if they do. Don’t be tempted by any pin cut in the right half of the putting surface or you could be playing pinball with the rocks which elevate this green, and hole, to favourite status among our judges… a big call on a layout overflowing with memorable holes.

The 16th at Al Ain is another par 4 where getting wet is an ever- present danger

5. The 16th, Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club
421 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 5
This par-4 ranks as just the fifth toughest hole at AESGC but don’t be fooled by the stroke index or the alluring design aesthetic. A telephone number awaits any player who strays from the fairway off the tee and that’s just the beginning of the fun. Ideally you’ll shape your drive around the dogleg and past the two furthermost palm trees on the right, hopefully without needing a second or third ball with all that water right and sand and OB left. Now play smart, ignoring any back left (bunker bound!) or centre-right (you’re wet!) pin. Simply rifle your mid-iron to the centre of the green, two-putt and walk off with a big smile and plenty of lead left in your pencil.

Good luck if you need a birdie to win your match on the 18th at The Faldo at Emirates Golf Club. Actually, best of British if you need a par

6. The 18th, The Faldo, Emirates Golf Club
485 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 5
We find The Faldo one of the region’s most exacting tests off the tee, particularly on the outward nine with all those tight doglegs. And sand. And water. To be fair, the closing hole on the Majlis’ sister course at Emirates G.C. offers a generous landing area for all but the biggest slicers but there are few more intimidating approach shots than here. Sir Nick was one of the game’s great shotmakers. You’ll feel like one too if you escape with par of better here.

The curvy 18th at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is another testy finishing hole but comes early in our dream 18

7. The 18th, Trump International Golf Club, Dubai
425 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 3
Just don’t go left, right? Easier said than done on designer Gil Hanse’s closing hole at Trump Dubai. With that man-made lake hugging the dog-legged par 4, it’s easy to push it way right off the tee which then brings the wet stuff into play with your approach. Aim right of the green and hope for a members’ bounce onto the putting surface because any chip, downhill and with that ever-present water begging, is sure to unearth any jitters in your short game. In effort not to thin it? A frustrating fat? Fun and sometimes frightening.

8. The 16th, Al Zorah Golf Club
354 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 14
The 16th at Nicklaus Designs’ Ajman gem will have you umming and ahhing like the ebb and flooding tides that engross the hole’s island tees. The smart strategic play, with sodden marshland left and desert despair right, dictates a hybrid or mid-iron off the tee and a flick of a wedge in. But maybe, just maybe, you could get there with driver, maybe even a 3-wood? A classic risk and reward hole from another classic course Jack (kinda) built.

The 4th at The Track, Meydan Golf isn’t quite the shortest par 4 in our composite layout but it is a, ahem, tall order for those who suddenly get nervous with a bit of H20 to negotiate.

9. The 4th, The Track, Meydan Golf
358 Yards,  Par 4, Stroke Index 7
For further, irrefutable proof, that a hole needn’t be long to be memorable, welcome to this feisty little dogleg at The Track, Meydan Golf. You could almost throw it off the tee and have a shot at a green that is generously proportioned. Isn’t it amazing how even the silkiest of swings suddenly becomes a little twitchy though when you have to negotiate a bit of H20. And good luck if you over club (prudent) with your approach and leave yourself a slippery downhill chip, looking back at that hypnotic water.

RELATED: Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020

You’ve done well to make it to the turn with balls left in your bag, not to mention the will to carry on. Grab yourself a nice drink and perhaps an extra sleeve or two of your favourite ammo and prepare for yet more fun.

Do you pull the trigger from this spot on the closing hole on the Majlis course at Emirates G.C. or lay-up and risk getting wet with a wedge anyway?

10. The 18th, Majlis, Emirates Golf Club
546 Yards, Par 5, Stroke Index 12
It’s the scene of so much OMEGA Dubai Desert and Moonlight Classics glory – and amateur heartache. Go straight off the tee and you run the risk of not reaching the corner of the dogleg and blocking yourself out or overpowering things and running out of fairway. Hit it too far left and you’re in the trees or lush rough at best. Somewhere in between and either wooden or watery fate potentially awaits. Then you must decide to go for it or lay-up and test your nerve over the water. Short is wet while air mailing the green brings another chance of the same. A brilliant strategic test.

11. The 18th, Dubai Hills Golf Club
486 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 10
European Golf Design architect Gary Johnson wanted to differentiate Dubai Hills’ finale from the par-5s that predominate the UAE golfscape. The Scot surely did – the 485-yard finish is an absolute brute. Getting it in play off the tee of this par 4 (don’t go too far right) is the (not so) easy bit. Afterwards you’ll need to rifle a mid-iron to a peninsula green guarded by water left and magnetic bunkering front right that looks like it’s cut tight to the green but is actually a clever optical illusion. Par? You’ve just roared up the leaderboard.

12. The 18th, Yas Links Abu Dhabi
646 Yards, Par 5, Stroke Index 3
There is arguably no tougher finish in Middle East golf than Yas Links’ closing par-5, a hole that just keeps coming at you. That’s why we’ve slotted it in early in our inward nine, to leave you some energy to get back to the 19th! You’ll need a solid drive and two decent whacks from there to stand any chance of reaching a green large enough to make three-putting almost inevitable. Into a breeze? Your blob won’t be the first or the last today.

The approach shot to the 16th is one of the trickiest shots on Earth at Jumeirah Golf Estates

13. The 16th, Earth, Jumeirah Golf Estates
486 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 10
The best players on Earth breathe a sigh of relief if they escape here without a scorecard glitch during the DP World Tour Championship each November so who are we to sniff at par? Proof again a hole needn’t be long to be challenging. Watch that your tee shot doesn’t bound right, never to be seen again. Commit fully to the approach shot too, ignoring the water that frames the partial island green. Yeah, we can’t either.

It’s the most photographed hole in the Middle East, the iconic 8th on the Majlis at Emirates G.C.

14. The 8th, Majlis, Emirates Golf Club
459 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 3
Is there a more iconic hole in the Middle East? Is there a hole where more golfers miss right off the tee anywhere in the world? Dust yourself off at the end of this famous par 4 and remember that no matter your score, you’ve got a marina views selfie your pals the world over will be jealous of.

Any par on the 15th hole at The Els Club, Dubai is to be celebrated, especially if you manage to get up and down from the bailout area pictured to the right of the green here

15. The 15th, The Els Club Dubai
489 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 1
Thankfully in our composite 18, you haven’t had to play the par 4 that mirrors the 15th at The Els Club Dubai because, no doubt, you’d rock up to this tee with the mental scar tissue from negotiating the 6th hole at Ernie’s course still fresh in your mind. Instead, rid your thoughts of the water right, that welcoming pot bunker in the landing zone off the tee left, and the bailout area left of the green, a no go zone for those with a twitchy wedge game. Instead, find the fairway, pure your approach to the heart of the green, two-putt and walk away with a par and the lingering admiration of your playing partners. If only golf was as simple as the Big Easy makes it look.

The 17th at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (foreground right) didn’t make the cut in our dream 18 but easily could have. The closing par 4, as you approach the iconic Dhow shaped clubhouse, did and thoroughly warrants the distinction

16. The 18th, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
421 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 3
Likewise, be thankful you haven’t had to play the previous hole at the Creek (see p.39) before you roll up to this beautifully brutal par-4. There is actually no option here other than hitting it arrow straight down the middle and then purposefully onto the green. There is no Creek. Or sand. Or rocks guarding the green to send your ball there anyway. Who are we kidding. Grab a group selfie with the iconic clubhouse in the background and forget that double. Or was it a triple?

The sun sets on one of the prettiest – and most testing – par 3s in the Middle East, the 17th at Yas Links Abu Dhabi

17. The 17th, Yas Links Abu Dhabi
204 Yards, Par 3, Stroke Index 13
For golf eye candy, it doesn’t get much better than the penultimate par 3 at Kyle Phillips’ Abu Dhabi masterpiece. Aesthetically pleasing yes, easy no. You’ll need to strike it crisp, long and straight to walk away with a score anywhere as attractive as those shots your entire group did manage to nail off the tee – with their camera phones. Majestic.

18. The 18th, Abu Dhabi Golf Club
567 Yards, Par 5, Stroke Index 5
Great closing holes effortlessly conjure great late drama. A doff of our cap then to architect Peter Harradine for the climax to the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship each January. Risk and reward comes in wet and sandy waves, tempts the big hitter, teases till the end with its speedy, sprawling green and lures all to the most astonishing clubhouse anywhere in the Middle East. You’ve made it and well played, regardless of your score. Enjoy your drink and the debrief of the Middle East’s favourite holes.

RELATED: Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020

The post The Middle East’s 18 favourite holes appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The European Tour welcomed the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) to the Race to Dubai decider last November. The MENA Tour by Arena has picked up the baton and really run with it.

The regional developmental circuit has reached an agreement with the EDGA that will give players with an official World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) and a handicap of 4.4 or less a chance to tee it up on one of three MENA Tour event in the next two months.

With the blessing of the European Tour, the EDGA held two events on the sidelines of the Scottish Open and DP World Tour Championship last year. The MENA Tour has taken it a step further by welcoming golfers of determination into already established events. Four EDGA-registered players can apply for invites to the Ras Al Khaimah Open (Tower Links G.C., March 29-April 1); the Northern Emirates Open (Al Hamra G.C., April 5-8) and the Al Ain Classic (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, April 12-15).

EDGA President Tony Bennett praised the MENA Tour for its latest effort to embrace inclusivity in golf.

“MENA Tour by Arena have shown great vision in making this agreement to include golfers with a disability in this exciting Tour by opening up these invitations,” Bennett said. “The agreement will encourage other organisations to take their responsibility to make golf a truly inclusive game more seriously.

“Such initiatives help create a trickle-down effect and grows awareness of the sport, even for those who have not yet considered golf to be a sport of their choice.”

In Addition to the two European Tour events last year, 12 players competed alongside the professionals in the Australian All Abilities Championship.

“At the MENA Tour by Arena, we want to be proactive in creating awareness and facilitating change, and also play a role in growing the game,” said Wayne Johnson, MENA Tour Tournament Director and Player Liaison Official.

“We are thrilled to announce this opportunity for golfers with disability to play alongside our professionals at three world-class venues in the UAE.

“Last season, the MENA Tour, along with our main sponsors Arena Middle East & Asia, announced we will refrain from using single-use plastic water bottle as part of our commitment to the environment, and this agreement with the EDGA is another example of us being socially responsible.”

Letters of application should be sent to the EDGA Director of Tournaments, Manon Eggermont at manon@edgagolf.com. The closing date for applications for EDGA members for each tournament will be one week before the closing date of entries for the tournament.

After wins for Englishman David Langey and Frenchman Sebastien Gros at the Journey to Jordan #1 Championship and NEWGIZA Open respectively, the MENA Tour moves to Oman this week for the Ghala Open in Muscat.

The post MENA Tour welcomes golfers with disabilities into regional circuit fold appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

But the 51-year-old Englishman has one final domestic commitment before he sets out for the likes of fabled Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York and Hillside Golf Club in Southport, England – this weekend’s Dubai Trophy.

The Trump Dubai member will take some serious confidence into the annual Ryder Cup-style matches between the EGF’s best and the UAE PGA Tour’s top teaching pros as well after waltzing the 2019 EGF Order of Merit Championship by five strokes at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club last weekend.

Kelbrick had already captured the season-long EGF title before Al Ain but capped another consistent campaign with his first win of the season after firing rounds of 68-68-67 for a 7-under-par, 203 aggregate. He collected a total of 17 birdies during the 54-hole event where Ziang Xu (Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club) was runner-up following rounds of 71-67-70 for a two-under-par, 205 total. UAE National Team Member Ahmed Skaik was third on 215 after scores of 74-71-70.

A job well done to the 2018 – 2019 Order of Merit Season & Championship Winners. Full report to follow. @aesgc pic.twitter.com/6YwScGURNk

— Emirates Golf Fed. (@EGFuaegolf) April 20, 2019

After the Dubai Trophy at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf Club, Kelbrick will begin gearing up for the 83rd Anderson Memorial at Winged Foot from June 6-9. The John G. Anderson Memorial Four-Ball is one of America’s premier amateur invitational events. Created in 1933 to honour Winged Foot founding member and two-time U.S. Amateur runner-up John G. Anderson, the event consists of a 36 hole qualifier followed by two days of match play competition in both Championship and Senior divisions.

Kelbrick, who missed the cut at the recent Jordan Mixed Open, is also eyeing the June 13-15 European Senior Men’s Championship at Golf Patriziale Ascona in Switzerland ahead of Senior Open qualifying at Hillside G.C., also the venue for next month’s British Masters (May 9-12) being hosted by Tommy Fleetwood.

2018 – 2019 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit Winners

Hyeonji Kang, meanwhile, won the Ladies EGF Order of Merit Championship by an even more commanding six strokes. Kang shot rounds of 73-66-66 for a five-under-par 205 total while runner-up Chantal El Chaib (72-69-70, 211) and Natalli Gupta (72-74-69, 215) rounded out the podium in Al Ain.

Kang has enjoyed a historic season by winning the not only the overall Ladies OOM title but also winning the Junior Girls Gross Division while also sharing first place in the Junior Girls Nett Division.

The Junior Division was played with the girls and boys combined. Jay Mullane started strong and maintained that lead over the two rounds firing 70-74 for a winning total of 144. Asanka White (75-74) and Viggo Sorensen (77-73) were second and third respectively.

The post Kelbrick eyes fabled Winged Foot and Senior Open qualifying after capturing second EGF season title in three years appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

It was the serial UAE PGA Tour winner’s second title of 2018-19 in just six starts after a promotion to Operations Manager for the wider Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club recently has curtailed his golf this year.

After earlier edging Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Jordan Gallagher 1 up in a tense semifinal, Buchanan is chuffed to be taking some decent form into this week’s annual Dubai Trophy where he’ll captain the UAE PGA team against a selection of EGF amateurs chasing their fourth straight victory in the Ryder Cup-style matches.

Great to win my 3rd ?? PGA matchplay championship today.
2 nice matches and solid rounds. Onwards to next weeks Dubai Golf Trophy. #proteam pic.twitter.com/ewXmFpevrX

— Tom Buchanan (@tompro66) April 21, 2019

Buchanan just hopes he doesn’t suffer the same fate as his predecessor Ryan Smith who won last year’s UAE PGA Matchplay crown only to suffer a thumping in his singles match at the Dubai trophy as the amateurs sealed their hat-trick 19-13.

RELATED:  Thomas leads perfect trio as EGF amateurs seal Dubai Trophy treble

The respective Dubai Trophy teams and first-round pairings are due to be announced on Tuesday.

“Yeah we are on a bad run at the moment,” captain Buchanan conceded. “It’s always a tight affair and hopefully we can get it back this year.

“The Dubai Golf Trophy will be special as always and especially in its 20th year and as captain. The amateurs are strong and have more depth in their picks compared to us but we are all looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the win.”

Buchanan, who had previously won at The Track, Meydan Golf this season, drove the ball well against Gallagher to set up his advance the final where he played the outward nine in three under to give Bolt little chance.

“I was three up through nine, played really solid, then just kept applying pressure. Mike’s putter was cold on the day sadly for him but two very enjoyable games and to win it for the third time is great.”

The post Buchanan wins third UAE PGA Matchplay title but hopes it’s not a bad Dubai Trophy omen appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Welcome to another edition of the Sand Trap where we really should be beavering away on resolutions for the New Year, not to mention myriad deadlines that give ‘silly season’ a whole new meaning. You know the drill – more golf, fewer three-putts and even less whinging about the work that pays for the “pleasure” of the inevitable three-stab blobs. That kind of thing.

We’re also itching to reveal the Dubai link to Louis Oosthuizen’s emotional South African Open win, share a very tall (trophy) tale of amateur success for a MENA Tour star in Saudi Arabia, not to mention a heart-warming story of Open Championship ambition and some of best (read savage) tweets of the year.

But first, we have a guilty admission to make, wrapped up in a lingering obsession.

ARISE SIR NICK

The Sand Trap’s boyhood hero worship, turned middle-aged man crush on Sir Nick Faldo will come as little surprise to regular visitors of this irregular Middle East-themed array of social media/golfing goodness. I mean, those wind-piercing long irons bounced into inaccessible pins to grind out pars and three Open Championship wins; the mastery of Augusta National that delivered a wardrobe of green jackets and a dagger to the heart of the Great White Shark (it’s a Kiwi-Aussie thing even though The Sand Trap secretly admires Greg Norman too); the thanking of the British tabloid press from the “Heart of my bottom…” Classic stuff.

Now the six-time major champion is a class act behind the microphone, merging the deep knowledge of his maddening craft with that trademark British humour to bring the predictable pitch and putt of the PGA Tour to life on the little screen. The Sand Trap might never flush a three-iron like Sir Nick, but we get how tough it is not to sound/read like a complete numpty as a media analyst. In fact, we reckon that Kiwi Frank Nobilo is the only ex-player who comes close to Sir Nick as a TV analyst, all parochialism aside.

We also get Faldo isn’t everyone’s cup of English Breakfast but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the beholder is typing this, so we’ll press on with our confession.

There’s no place for fairway fanboys in the media centre and you certainly don’t go asking stars for their autograph. But hey, given that the Sand Trap still owns several Faldo highlights tapes and Faldo-Leadbetter instruction cassettes (with no way of playing them) from the early 80s, it has become a bucket-list mission to meet said hero and get his scribble on something for the home office wall.  The thing is, I’m 0-3 when it comes to chances to meet Sir Nick in a private setting (e.g. where no other hack will see the giddy fanboy behaviour) and it’s gnawing away at me. Is it truly meant to be?

There was a club manufacturers’ meet and greet during the 1997 Open at Royal Troon (won by Justin Leonard), an opportunity a young Kiwi living off a high street golf shop assistants wage in East London could ill afford. Then, last year, those blessed (they really aren’t very funny) silly season deadlines prevented a trip out to Al Ain where our man was hosting his Faldo Series Middle East final. Then last month at the Faldo Series European Final back at the same Abu Dhabi satellite course – agghh!!!!…

One can’t grumble too loudly given the latest excuse was research for an upcoming stay and play feature at Oman Open venue Al Mouj Golf (above). To prove our press room impartiality, let it be known that the Sand Trap are unashamed fans of Norman designed courses, Al Mouj, Ayla in Jordan, Danang in Vietnam and Earth and Fire in Dubai among the Shark’s creations we’ve also savoured. Seriously, do yourself a favour if you haven’t played Al Mouj already and book a long weekend – the Shark’s contribution to Muscat golf is arguably the most under-rated ( even at No.3 in our biennial top-10 course rankings), and definitely the most under-visited gem, in the region.

But we digress. Back to Sir Nick who is to be applauded for what he’s giving back to the game with his global junior series, not only providing international competition and imparting priceless tips to the game’s elite young amateurs as captured by Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club legend Tom Buchanan…

Privileged to be able to watch and listen to @NickFaldo006 educating the future of golf tonight. A complete joy. I hope that these kids took it all in like a sponge. #GrowTheGame pic.twitter.com/cEA8OpuY5s

— Tom Buchanan (@tompro66) November 27, 2018

…but also encouraging newcomers to consider the sport as this Emirates Golf Federation tweet shows :

Thank you to @NickFaldo006 & the @FaldoSeries for putting on a special coaching clinic for the @MOEducationUAE Sultan Bin Zayed School at @aesgc. pic.twitter.com/TZuAgJl1lS

— Emirates Golf Fed. (@EGFuaegolf) November 27, 2018

Hearty congrats to Dubai-based, Welsh junior international Toby Bishop for his victory in the U-16 division of the European final at Al Ain. Look out for our feature on the Jumeirah Golf Estates junior in the January ’19 issue of Golf Digest Middle East where he talks about his long-term goals.

SIR NICK CRITIQUES ‘THE FALDO’… LOVERS OF TIGHT DOGLEGS BEWARE
Faldo was a busy man during his latest UAE stop-over, also calling in at Emirates Golf Club to review the club’s Faldo layout which will host the new-look Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic next May.

It was a pleasure to welcome back @NickFaldo006 to the Faldo Course yesterday! pic.twitter.com/uR8QLVEFIG

— Emirates Golf Club (@EmiratesGC) November 25, 2018

Faldo surveyed the floodlit layout with Emirates G.C.’s head agronomist Matt Perry and the Sand Trap has it on good authority they spent extra time musing the design merits of the 7^th and 13^th holes, both tricky par-4s where our admiration for Sir Nick has briefly wavered more than a few times in the past. We await any changes with anticipation – and with any half-new ball swapped out for an old-Dunga on those card-wreckers in the meantime.

WEE WOOSIE DROPS BY
Faldo wasn’t the only Masters winner/Ryder Cup hero of yesteryear to visit Emirates G.C. recently, nor the only big-name colleague of the Dubai club’s popular teaching pro James Williams.

Childhood friends and team mates Ian Woosnam and James Williams bumped into each other after their last meeting nearly 30 years ago!

Woosnam the Masters Champion and former World Number One golfer passed through Dubai en route to the European Seniors pic.twitter.com/RrzE9QEmfM

— Emirates Golf Club (@EmiratesGC) December 3, 2018

Wee Woosie was en-route to the Staysure Tour’s MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius where he placed T-13 to finish the European senior circuit season 29^th overall with €68,014. Not bad retirement money for the Welshman who will turn 61 in March.

CRICKETERS WHO GOLF, GOLF THE UAE
Hollywood celebrities and stars of other sports are regularly spotted golfing in the UAE and recently the Sand Trap spied former New Zealand cricket captains Brendon McCullum, Dan Vettori and all-rounder Kyle Mills heading to the 10^th tee at Trump Dubai with smiles on their dials.

Thank you @EmiratesGC for hosting us this morning. If you are in Dubai, it’s a must do for golfers!! pic.twitter.com/1La1IcAsM8

— ben dunk (@bendunk51) November 25, 2018

Seems McCullum and Mills also teed it up on the Majlis a few days before big-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum got the shock of his life with what turned out to be a hoax tweet about the death of his brother Nathan, also a former Black Caps international.

https://twitter.com/Bazmccullum/status/1068854050106601472

We’ve long marvelled at the power with which Brendon smashes a cricket ball so wish the social media perpetrators/cowards all the best if they are unearthed. Anyway, enough of the fanboy stuff. Back to Faldo.

DUBAI’S NEW TOPGOLF FACILITY BREAKS GROUND

We’re strangely delighted to report that the driving range attached to Faldo’s aforementioned course at Emirates G.C. is now officially closed. Thankfully the decommissioning is for a very worthy cause as the Middle East’s first TopGolf facility takes shape.

Ground Breaking in #Dubai… pic.twitter.com/NjTfsQmPmV

— Topgolf (@Topgolf) December 1, 2018

Dubai Golf’s Abdulwahed Al Qasim and Troy Warfield, Top Golf’s head of international development, posed for pictures at the official ground-breaking ceremony recently. Construction on the 97-bay, three-tier building began last month with the venue due to open in the first quarter of 2020. This is later than originally anticipated but having played TopGolf in Tampa, The Sand Trap cannot wait for this perfect intro to golf/pals night out magnet to open. Here’s hoping they keep it reasonably priced to entice newcomers to the game and ample summer patronage from already-hooked amateurs.

GETTING INTO THE DESERT SWING OF THINGS
Talking of giddy anticipation, we cannot wait for the Desert Swing to begin in Abu Dhabi next month. Can Tommy Fleetwood pull off an Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship three-peat?  How long before Mr. Major, Brooks Koepka, is reminded he missed the cut the last time he played The National in 2014 (oops, sorry Brooks)? Will Dustin Johnson’s pre-tourney press conference garner a single, useful quote this year?

.@BKoepka will kick off his 2019 #InAbuDhabi! Can the Double 2018 Major Winner and @pgatour POTY beat the #BestOfTheBest to his first falcon? ?
–
Tickets here – https://t.co/rJA5PeJwel …
–#ADGolfChamps #AnyonesGame #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/IxJ2NBg2hs

— Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (@ADGolfChamps) November 19, 2018

All these mysteries and more will be answered before the golf sorcerer Bryson DeChambeau shows up to confound us all again on the Majlis the following week. The Mad Scientists’ Omega Dubai Desert Classic presser is guaranteed to do exactly what DJ’s won’t, and there will also be plenty of entertainment and interest on course from spectators and peers alike, the former from beyond the ropes and the latter at arms-length as this recent Kevin Na tale relates.

ERNIE’S NEPHEW v DUBAI’S FAVOURITE SON
How about Dubai Creek prodigy Rayhan Thomas winning his second professional title at the King Hamad Trophy aged just 19? It wasn’t that long ago that the MENA Tour trailblazer looked like this, as posted by the Indian Golf Federation’s defacto PR officer Joy Chakravarty:

Here is a quiz and a blast from the past! Who is this young boy with @JeevMilkhaSingh? The picture was clicked in 2010! pic.twitter.com/wYocgVvEpw

— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) November 19, 2018

The Indian No.1s next big test will be the Desert Classic where he’ll line up against Jovan Rebula in the most anticipated amateur showdown at a Desert Swing event since DeChambeau won low amateur honours from Englishman Allan James in 2016.

Rebula has already played the Open at Carnoustie and will tee it up at the Masters at Augusta and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2019. If Thomas needed any further motivation, how about the fact the 21-year-old South African is the nephew of three-times Desert Classic winner Ernie Els? He even played with uncle Ernie at last week’s SA Open.

Tricky, windy day for scoring @RandparkGolf today @SAOpen_Golf @Sunshine_Tour @EuropeanTour, but what a special experience playing with my nephew @JovanRebula. We’re all so proud of this fine young man. pic.twitter.com/ishpgJ5IcZ

— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) December 8, 2018

GLORIOUS MAJLIS
One thing for certain is that Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Emirates G.C. will put their collective best feet forward as golf tourism magnets, as Desert Classic tournament director David Spencer’s recent tweets lavishly illustrate.

The stunning & all new hospitality lounges for the 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic are rapidly coming out of the ground ⁦@EmiratesGC⁩ Our 30TH Edition of this tournament is going to be most memorable…January 24 to January 27…#MadeForGreatness ⁦@OMEGAGolfDubai⁩ pic.twitter.com/bIZt5Nlt3T

— David Spencer (@golfspennie) December 5, 2018

Another stunning Autumn afternoon in #MyDubai The 30TH EDITION of ⁦@OmegaDDC⁩ is only 65 Days away at the truly magnificent ⁦@EmiratesGC⁩ #MadeForGreatness ⁦@GolfDigestME⁩ ⁦@TheJoyofGolf⁩ ⁦@chrismaydxb⁩ ⁦@OMEGAGolfDubai⁩ pic.twitter.com/J1jwJnOH24

— David Spencer (@golfspennie) November 20, 2018

We’re actually 45 days from the Desert Classic now, and just 37 until the Wednesday start of the AD HSBC Championship which has been brought forward a day to accommodate football’s Asia Cup across the UAE. Bring it on.

The hard work is already well underway at Emirates G.C. as Donal Mulvey, right-hand man to superintendent Matt Perry, recently tweeted:

Overseeding Majlis. Rough, tee, approach’s. Great job by the team, a lot of steps today. @EmiratesGC pic.twitter.com/2hCbn5yZq1

— Donal Mulvey (@dmulveygolf) December 4, 2018

THE ‘HOW AM I GOING TO PASS THIS OFF AS HAND-LUGGAGE TROPHY’ TROPHY
Least we forget Saudi Arabia will make its European Tour debut after Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Saudi International might have been shunned by Tiger Woods for what is believed to be golf’s highest appearance fee but has fellow U.S. Ryder Cuppers Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed as headline acts and is set to generate much media interest, from golf and non-sports media alike.

Judging by the trophy reigning MENA Tour amateur order-of-merit champion Todd Clements just won in the kingdom at the 4th Saudi Open, we’re picking the trophy handed out to the inaugural champion come Feb. 3 might overshadow Abu Dhabi’s Falcon and Dubai’s fabled Dallah too, at least in size.

We’re still waiting to hear if Clements managed to get the behemoth past customs and into the overhead lockers on his flight back to England.

JP’S PARTING GIFT, VIA JO’BURG
Continuing the theme of hugely popular winners, congrats to Louis Oosthuizen on his runaway six stroke victory in the SA Open, his eighth European Tour title but first in his homeland’s oldest event.

A closing 67 at Randpark G.C. in Johannesburg got the job done and Justin Parsons straight onto social media. The former Butch Harmon School of Golf, Dubai chief instructor is off to the U.S. and is rightly chuffed with his role in helping Oosthuizen end a three-year winless streak.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

This one will mean a lot to him, has been coming for a while. Such a great player and beautiful swinger. Well done King Louis!! #seaislandgpc #golf #golfinstruction #golfswing #golfcoach #golfcoaching #titleist #teamtitleist #footjoy #vokey #scottycameron #georgia #usa

A post shared by Justin Parsons (@jparsonsgolf) on Dec 9, 2018 at 4:09am PST

JP was understandably a little emotional himself as he handed the reigns of the BHSG Dubai over to long-time deputy Jamie McConnell – coincidently Toby Bishop’s coach.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A wonderful gift from the @bhsgdubai for my last day. Been a great run at the school and there will be great times ahead for Jamie and the team. #butchharmondubai #golfinstruction #juniorgolf #titleist

A post shared by Justin Parsons (@jparsonsgolf) on Nov 29, 2018 at 2:21am PST

With former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (who qualified for July’s Open at Royal Portrush with a share of third place in Joburg), PGA Tour star in waiting for Peter Uihlein and Rayhan Thomas on his books, we wonder if a major championship victory is on the horizon for Parsons.

OPEN ENDED DREAMS
Oosthuizen captured the claret jug at St. Andrews in 2010, of course, the stuff of boyhood dreams.

Joshua Marshall was just three years old at the time and until his mum Laura posted a picture of the bedroom shrine he created to golf’s oldest major after attending the 147^th Open at Carnoustie last summer, his love of the royal and ancient game was known only by friends and family.

When your 11 year old is still buzzing from the @TheOpen and wanted his room done to keep all his memories from Carnoustie. Lots of great signatures on that wall. #CarnoustieOpen #TheOpen18 #Golf #Memories pic.twitter.com/COX3buyOXW

— Laura Marshall (@Lauralou_m) December 3, 2018

Now? Well, the 11-year-old from Dundee is a viral sensation after the R&A and Carnoustie picked up on the story and ran with it.

Imagine coming home to find the Claret Jug in your bedroom ?? pic.twitter.com/RLQSzGgyUL

— The Open (@TheOpen) December 5, 2018

Like so many others, we loved Joshua's room. But we reckoned there was something missing from his bedroom wall…so we were delighted to give him a signed copy of @F_Molinari's scorecards from @TheOpen.

An incredible young man + a fantastic family @Lauralou_m @andymarshall19? pic.twitter.com/ZHv8iRmP9n

— Carnoustie Golf Links (@carnoustiegolf) December 8, 2018

Young Joshua is reportedly a 27-handicapper but with that sort of inspiration, don’t be surprised if the real claret jug returns to the Marshall household one day in the future. Well played the R&A, well played.

WOW what a 24 hours!!!
Huge Thank you to @RandA & @TheOpen for this huge surprise for Joshua, The Claret Jug in his Bedroom & the bag of open goodies – Such a kind gesture, and one we are very grateful for. Thank you to everyone to you all kind responses too! #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/yDjKcKyMCF

— Laura Marshall (@Lauralou_m) December 4, 2018

KHALID YOUSUF AND THE GCC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Want more amateur inspiration? How about this video piece starring UAE amateur representative Khalid Yousuf shared during the recent DP World Tour Championship.

UAE national team captain, Khaled Yousuf, gives us an inspiring insight into the evolution of golf in the UAE in this short film about his journey with the @EGFuaegolf #GenerationGolf pic.twitter.com/8rkmJzhWY0

— DP World Tour Championship (@dpwtc) November 19, 2018

Researching Yousuf’s Eisenhower Trophy record takes plenty of perseverance and a dash of detective work, as this piece we did on the Emirati before October’s world amateur teams championship in Ireland unveils.

There are clearly no grey areas when it comes to his commitment to developing the local game, however. We wish Khalid and his UAE team-mates Ahmed Skaik (the defending individual champion), Saif Thabet and debutant Daood Jaffal the best of luck in the 22^nd Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Championship starting at Ghala G.C. in Oman today. We’ll also be keeping close tabs on the other UAE teams – including the women’s team seeking a title three-peat – and the fortune of all six GCC countries at the event which runs from Dec. 10-13.

POSSIBLE THREE-PEAT & NEW FACES ILLUSTRATE THE 2018 GCC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP FOR UAE GOLF – @golfinoman @GhalaGolfClub – https://t.co/3okq1pd4yC pic.twitter.com/pa2hOES4za

— Emirates Golf Fed. (@EGFuaegolf) December 9, 2018

11^th SGSC AMATEUR CHAMPION A NAME TO WATCH
A closing 69 saw youngster William Ang win the 11th Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Men’s Open at the weekend, his first Emirates Golf Federation OOM title. Ang mixed two bogeys with five birdies for his three-under finish to pip Nathan Fisher and SGSC team-mate by a shot in the 36-hole event while Trump Dubai +2-handicapper Steven Kelbrick was third, a shot further back.

11th MEN’S OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
7th & 8th December 2018
Youngster Ang claims his First SGSC Men’s Open title ???

For More : – https://t.co/MMfzfwfyWU#golf #sharjahgolf #champion #mensopen pic.twitter.com/WsIxrUXN0V

— Sharjah Golf & SClub (@SharjahGolf) December 9, 2018

TWEETS OF THE WEEK
How about fan favourite Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnson with news of impending wedding bells?

She said YES!!!!!!! ???? pic.twitter.com/oPYdYXkKNX

— Andrew 'Beef' Johnston (@BeefGolf) December 8, 2018

Or golf’s latest social media hit Jack Bartlett. The American impressionist has just given Bubba Watson the full treatment but our favourites are DJ (hold the pose) and Lefty.

People have said for years I should put some of my golf impressions on social media.. Feedback appreciated! @BennyTaylor92 @mitchfarrer14 @EvansRyan9 @DJohnsonPGA #JBimpersonates pic.twitter.com/sfywiTOyNH

— Jack Bartlett (@JackBartlett1) November 7, 2018

Remember when you watch this dandy Phil Mickelson swing that Bartlett is…right-handed.

Straight from the office to the match..#TheMatch #TigerVSPhil #JBimpersonates pic.twitter.com/0o87Dvn4xH

— Jack Bartlett (@JackBartlett1) November 19, 2018

Wow, the kid has talent. But frankly, the tweet/s of the week and possibly the year go to U.S. Ryder Cup nemesis Ian Poulter.

Can anyone spot the mistake in this photo… ? ? @RyderCupEurope pic.twitter.com/jopZodybK2

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 7, 2018

It’s ok folks I fixed the mistake. How does it look now ? ?????@RyderCupEurope pic.twitter.com/2i3uFRxyEr

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 7, 2018

Savage, Poults, savage.

The Englishman’s epic tweets are a reminder to share your best pro impersonations, or your playing partner’s latest epic fail, using the usual GolfDigestme social media channels and let’s see if the Sand Trap can’t get a video or two to go viral too.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS RULES

Finally, don’t forget to make learning golf’s revised rules, which come into play on Jan.1, a 2019 resolution. Here’s a handy guide from the R&A and USGA to get you up to speed if you’re not already.

Refresher time. pic.twitter.com/w2nY0pk4bk

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) December 10, 2018

Or this more detailed piece from our colleagues at Golf Digest HQ in New York.

Anyway, we’re off. Fortunately we’ve got more than three minutes to search for a ball for Faldo to sign during his next visit to the UAE. Just don’t tell any of our colleagues…

The post TopGolf Dubai breaks ground, gigantic Saudi trophy threatens to do likewise and we get into the Desert Swing of things. All (somehow) wrapped up in our guilty Sir Nick Faldo obsession appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Toby Bishop had to settle for the not inconsiderable consolation of getting one up on his pal Josh Hill after his bid for the overall Faldo Series Europe title faded early in the final round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

The Dubai-based Welsh teen had lead overnight but a pair of bogeys on his opening two holes saw his bid flounder. Bishop eventually finished with a 54-hole total of 207, four shots behind eventual overall champion Ting-Yu Chen (Chinese Taipei) who also easily waltzed away with the U-18 title.

Bishop’s consolation was to hoist the U-16 crown by four-shots from serial Faldo Series champion and Jumeirah Golf Estates club-mate Hill.

Chen coped well with the pressures of sleeping on an overnight lead by adding a 68 to his glittering second round 65 to be crowned Faldo Series Europe Grand Final Champion.

His round got off to a solid start with two birdies in the opening seven holes, giving him a lead over his competitors that proved unassailable. He paired a bogey with a birdie on his closing 10 holes to finish on 7-under for the week and secure a dominant four shot win.

Ting Yu Chen

England’s Emily Brennan put an exclamation point on one of the best Faldo Series careers ever with a birdie on her final hole for a final round 68. Brennan won the 2015 and 2016 Faldo Series England Girls Championships, before placing fourth and third respectively in her age groups at the European Grand Final in those years. Her four-under par total was enough to see her finally get her hands on the trophy and win the Girls’ Under 21 category, and finish solo second overall.

The Al Ain event signalled the conclusion of the 22nd year of the Faldo Series Europe that has seen 1500 participants compete over 14 events held in 10 countries. The international flavour was exemplified in the five winners hailing from five separate countries around the world; Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, Wales, England and Kazakhstan.

Sir Nick Faldo commented: “It’s been a fantastic year for the Faldo Series, and the standard of this week’s golf epitomised that. We had the most international field we’ve ever had this year, and you just have to look at the list of winners to see that. Having winners from the likes of Kazakhstan and Slovakia goes to show how the game is growing, and if the Faldo Series can be a small part of that, then that makes me so proud.”

Final Scores:

Boys’ Under-21: 210* – Michael Brezovsky (SVK); 210 – Paul Murphy (IRE).
Boys’ Under 18: 203 – Ting-Yu Chen (TPE); 212 – Max Kennedy (IRE).
Boys’ Under 16: 207 – Toby Bishop (WAL); 211 – Josh Hill (ENG).
Girls’ Under 21: 206 – Emily Brennan (ENG); 207 – Ebonie Lewis (ENG).
Girls’ Under 16: 212 – Rivekka Jumagulova (KAZ); 223 – Rachel Foster (SCO).

*Denotes a winner determined by lowest final round.

The post Toby Bishop claims U-16 Faldo Series Europe title from JGE pal Josh Hill appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Ryan Smith’s last round of competitive golf was at the Dubai Golf Trophy in May, not that he wants reminding.

The South African only made it as far as the 12th hole at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club before being forced to shake hands with Mike Mezei, a 7&6 loser in their singles match as the EGF Amateurs made it an unprecedented hat-trick of wins in the annual Ryder Cup style matches.

It wasn’t exactly how the UAE PGA team captain had envisaged his season ending and to be fair, it was a blip in an otherwise memorable campaign that saw the 37-year-old finish second in the regional circuit’s order of merit and win the UAE Matchplay title, the most significant win of his eight seasons in the region.

RELATED:  Captain Smith captures UAE PGA Matchplay title, eyes ‘tough’ Dubai Trophy

Smith proved it was a blip by picking up at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on Monday where he had left off at the matchplay final in late April, winning the first event of the 2018-19 UAE PGA Tour season.

The Address Montgomerie Dubai Tournament Co-ordinator carded a one-under 69 at Al Ain to edge Purna Sharma (Pro Sports) and Tom Henderson (Jumeirah Golf Estates) by two strokes.

As well as making up for the disappointment of the Dubai Trophy, it also avenged a playoff loss to Trump Dubai’s Mike Bolt at the corresponding event last season. Bolt, for the record, carded a 75 on Monday while Smith’s successor as Dubai Trophy captain, home club legend Tom Buchanan, could muster only a 76.

“I’m really happy to get the season underway with a win,” Smith said. “I felt a bit rusty early on as I haven’t played competitive golf all summer but I managed to play consistently and not get myself into too much trouble.

“I hit it great on the range which gave me confidence. I really like Al Ain and have always played pretty well there, lost to Mike Bolt in a playoff last season there so nice to win this time.

“The goals for the season? Most importantly make the Dubai Golf Trophy team and just try and play as many events I can. After finishing second in the order of merit I’m looking forward to another good season and hopefully going one better.”

RELATED:  Dubai Hills added to 2018-19 UAE PGA Tour schedule, new venue for Tour Championship

With reigning champion Stefan Wears-Taylor and 2016-17 moneylist winner Cen Mills now back in their native South Africa and Wales respectively, Smith has made a great start to that ambition.

Al Hamra Golf Club will host the second event of the UAE PGA season on October 8.

The post Smith erases Dubai Trophy disappointment with season-opening UAE PGA win in Al Ain appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Related: Josh Hill fires closing 62 to waltz Faldo Series event by six shots

Josh Hill (69-65-62) CHAMPION

This tall, hard-working young English player works with Joe Marshall at the BHSG Dubai. Joe has done a great job simplifying his swing which already allows him a consistent, straight ball flight. He is a keen strategist despite his tender years and is also very competitive. Josh works diligently and rounds his skills with a good balance of short game and play. The dominant player in the set, his scores at The Faldo Series underline his serious potential.

Arjun Gupta (70-66-66) Tied second

A lean and flamboyant talent, Arjun has many of the traits that I think will take him to the top. His movement, creativity and unflappable nature have seen him succeed in recent times and as he grows and his body stabilises his incredible speed and the pressure that he puts on the ball, Arjun will continue to improve. His swing and practice habits as well as his course management have all improved this season and with continued work, expect good things.

Toby Bishop (70-66-66) Tied second

Toby Bishop

Student of Irish coach Jamie McConnell, Welsh player Toby Bishop is very committed and devoted to a process of continued improvement. His swing has become much more stable and balanced with a combination of good training and a serious approach to good, basic postural, stabilising and balanced training in the gym. Toby’s grit and work ethic single him out as someone who can go far.

Krishiv Tekchandani (73-68-68) 4th
A member of the BHSG High School Program, Krishiv trains steadily under me with guidance from the wider team. His noted improvement this season has stemmed mainly from postural improvements made possible through our medical team as well as pilates sessions that have allowed his to start swinging and playing the way he wants to. He is fully committed to the process of becoming a good player and is honest and forthright in his self assessment, all traits that also stand him out for the future.

These four train, play and compete together in various BHSG programs and their scores are testament to the bright futures they share. Congrats lads!

Justin Parsons is the Director of Instruction at The Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club, Dubai. Among his pupils are PGA Tour player Peter Uihlein, former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and celebrated Dubai-based, Indian amateur No.1 Rayhan Thomas.

The post Justin Parsons: Faldo Series sweep illustrates depth of junior talent in Dubai appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 38-year-old Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club head pro signed off the week of his golfing life with a 75 on Friday to finish +5, seven shots shy of the halfway cut.

He flirted with the unthinkable midway through his second round with three birdies in a four hole stretch but not even the double bogey that finally snuffed out his chances could dampen the big Scot’s joy.

Buchanan anticipated feeling a bit dusty after a celebratory afternoon on the Falcon terrace. So, when you do clear your head and draw breath on the week, what will be the key memories?

“Aye, a sore head and an empty wallet [laughs] probably,” he joked before getting a little more serious. “I think the reception at 18 last night [Thursday] was memorable. Then when I actually hit one out the middle again at hole four [yesterday] and knocked it in for a two and that got a huge roar and that got me back to level for the day. Yeah, I mean it was great, [playing partners] Paul Waring and Ricardo Gouveia have been gentlemen. Absolutely helped me round and got me settled. It’s been amazing.”

The post Tommy’s honour as Buchanan bows out in style appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.