Catriona Matthew Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Catriona Matthew trades Solheim Cup captaincy for Curtis Cup in 2024

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:22:40 +0000

Catriona Matthew, who led Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup victories, will captain Great Britain and Ireland in the 2024 Curtis Cup at Sunningdale, where GB&I’s best female amateurs take on their American counterparts.

Signalling a new era for the GB&I side, the Scot will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role for the match taking place against the United States from August 30 to September 1, 2024 at the English club in Berkshire.

Matthew was a member of three GB&I Curtis Cup teams in a decorated amateur career. She has been through a full variety of experiences as a player in the losing side in 1990, the winning side in 1992 at Royal Liverpool and again in 1994 when GB&I retained the trophy.

The 1993 Women’s Amateur Champion, who is already involved in amateur golf through her mentoring role at Scottish Golf, is delighted to once again be a part of the Curtis Cup.

It’s over to you, @Beany25 ?

We’re pleased to announce that Catriona Matthew OBE will be the 2024 GB&I @CurtisCup Captain ????

More here ? https://t.co/flcigygMWl pic.twitter.com/ZtDHAQeNlL

— The R&A (@RandA) March 22, 2023

Matthew, 53, said: “Playing in the Curtis Cup is the pinnacle for young amateur golfers, I was thrilled to make the Great Britain & Ireland team three times as a player and I feel just as privileged to be the captain in 2024.

“As a player I remember the emotions of competing in the Curtis Cup — the excitement of being on a team rather than competing individually, as well as the desire to perform well for your team and pressure you put on yourself not to let them down. As a captain it is my job to navigate the players through these situations and to help them believe what is possible.

“Through the Solheim Cup I have gained experience in building a high performing and successful team, including bringing together individual athletes from different countries and recognising whose strengths will combine well to create successful pairings. My goal is to channel all my playing and captaining skills into this Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team to optimise their performance.”

The appointment of Matthew as captain is an evolution of the GB&I team as it builds towards a first Curtis Cup victory since 2016 at Dun Laoghaire.

Matthew, who won the AIG Women’s Open in 2009, demonstrated strong leadership in captaining Europe to Solheim Cup successes in 2019 at Gleneagles and two years later in Ohio — just a second victory on US soil.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said: “We are delighted that Catriona has accepted the captain’s role for the 2024 Curtis Cup. Her reputation for strong leadership and past experience as a player with winning pedigree make Catriona the perfect captain for the Great Britain & Ireland team.

“The Curtis Cup has long been a prominent event for women’s elite amateur golf and Great Britain & Ireland has enjoyed some fantastic wins. We are now seeing the amateur level of the sport evolve into a more competitive era and believe that Catriona is the best placed captain to guide the team in this period.

“Just like professional golfers, amateurs are now focused on a holistic approach to their game. Catriona will bring her years of professional experience to the Great Britain & Ireland team and help them combine all facets of their game to be in peak form for the Curtis Cup.”

Under the leadership of Matthew, the Great Britain and Ireland team will be looking to bounce back from the 15.5-4.5 mauling by the USA in the previous match, which was played last year at Merion.

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2026 Solheim Cup to be held at Bernardus, Netherlands

Matt Smith — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:44:08 +0000

The Solheim Cup will be held at Bernardus in the Netherlands in 2026

By GolfDigestME.com
Bernardus, close to Eindhoven in the Southern Netherlands, has been revealed as the host venue for the 2026 Solheim Cup.

Bernardus opened in 2018 and the Kyle Phillips-designed Championship course has hosted the Dutch Open on the DP World Tour on two occasions (2021, 2022) and will host it again in 2023.

Speaking after the announcement on Tuesday, Solheim Cup Team Europe star Anna Nordqvist said: “Playing in the Solheim Cup is an experience in the world and nothing beats that feeling. It is the event that all players want to play in and congratulations to Bernardus and the Netherlands on this appointment.

“To have a Solheim Cup in the Netherlands in central Europe will be so central to many fans across the continent and it will be an event like no other.”

Two-time Team Europe champion captain Catriona Matthew added: “As Anna said, walking on to that first tee is an experience like no other.

“Bernardus is special. The food is great! But I have played the course and is plays a bit like a links course and there will be a lot of risk-reward holes and that’s what the fans want to come and see.

“It is great to see the Solheim Cup go around Europe and hopefully grow the game for all the young girls and boys out there.”

Robert van der Wallen, the owner of Bernardus added: “We are very excited to be hosting the Solheim Cup in 2026 and to partner with the Royal Dutch Golf Federation, IMG, the LET and LPGA. The opportunity to host such a globally significant sports event is a huge honour for our whole team. Experience is what we are all about at Bernardus and our preparations are already underway to ensure we play our part in providing the stage to host a best-in-class Solheim Cup experience in September 2026.”

With more than 420,000 golfers, golf is the fourth most popular sport in the Netherlands and this number is still growing. Caroline Huyskes, president of the Royal Netherlands Golf Federation and president-elect of the EGA, added: “I am proud that the Solheim Cup is coming to the Netherlands. This event contributes to the NGF strategy aimed at attracting women and rejuvenating the sport in our country. The fact that we have been able to bring one of the largest women’s sports tournaments in the world to the Netherlands is a re-flection of our ambition and drive.”

This will be the first edition run in partnership with IMG who were appointed by the LET as the delivery partner of the European Solheim Cup for an initial commitment from 2026 through to the end of 2038.

The appointment of IMG came on the back of delivering the most successful European Solheim Cup to date in 2019 in partnership with Visit Scotland seeing over 90,000 spectators attend the match at Gleneagles and millions watching the broadcast around the world.

Alexandra Armas, Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour, representing the LET JV, said, “Working with IMG, we believe that in Bernardus and the NGF, we have identified the ideal partner for the 2026 Solheim Cup in what will be the 20th edition of the match. Their vision and commitment align perfectly with ours and the course and facilities, as well as the NGF’s inclusive ambitions for the nation, will deliver a fantastic experience for players, community and fans alike.”

The 2023 Solheim Cup will take place in Finca Cortesin, in Spain on September 22-24, and the 2024 Solheim Cup, September 10-15, at the Robert Trent Jones course in Virginia, US.

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Solheim Cup heroes to join Nelly and Jessica Korda at star-studded Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande

Matt Smith — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:49:05 +0000

Bronte Law. ATS

By Matt Smith
The Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande is shaping up to be the ultimate teaser for the 2023 Solheim Cup, with a host of big-name Europeans joining the likes of US stars Nelly and Jessica Korda on the Spanish coast next month.

Triple-major-winner Anna Nordqvist of Sweden leads the latest big names announced for the $1million tournament, where the hero of the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles – England’s Bronte Law – will also compete.

They will be joined by Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew, plus fellow legend Laura Davies. Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark and Matilda Castren of Finland – both 2021 Solheim Cup-winning rookies – will also play, as will Team Europe alumni, Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands.

Alison Lee

+Caroline Masson, a regular mainstay on the European Solheim Cup team with four appearances in the last 10 years, is another star name to commit to Sotogrande, alongside AIG Women’s Open champion and fellow German, Sophia Popov.

At La Reserva Club, located just 20km from Finca Cortesin, host venue of next year’s Solheim Cup, that European field will come up against a US pack led by the Korda sisters — former world No. 1 Nelly and six-time LPGA winner Jessica — and featuring the likes of defending Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande individual champion Alison Lee, Lindsey Weaver-Wright and record-breaker Kelly Whaley, whose eight birdies in a row during competition play earlier this year set a new LET benchmark.

The Aramco Team Series returns to Spain with its mixed team and individual format for the second year in a row, taking place August 18-20.

Bronte Law, who claimed the individual title at last month’s Aramco Team Series London event, said: “It should be quite the week. These Aramco Team Series events are so different to the golf we usually play. There’s something about competing both as a team and as a solo golfer at the same time that I feel almost brings out the best in a lot of us, so I can’t wait to get out on that first tee and under way in another one next month.

“The quality of the field really does speak for itself. I think some of us would be lying if we said we won’t be thinking about being back in this part of the world a year later for the Solheim. It’ll be a chance for quite a number of the players competing to go out and show what they’re made of and I’m looking forward to it.”

Matthew — who Law has chosen as her captain’s pick at no fewer than three previous Aramco Team Series events — said: “When the ATS events were first added to the LET calendar last year, we were told they wanted to try to raise women’s golf as best they could. I don’t think anyone can argue in saying that they really have done that and then some.

“Every tournament comes with a real air of grandeur, they are so well organised and the prize money is obviously fantastic, too. But it’s the golf side of it that I think us as players enjoy the most. Playing as a team is something we do rarely but is a format that brings so much added excitement and opportunity, for us as players and for those watching live or on TV. The vibe of these events in particular is so different, and we really love being part of them.”

Further big names announced include Australian Steph Kyriacou, Pia Babnik of Slovenia and Linn Grant of Sweden, who is currently sitting second in the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol rankings and in June became the first ever woman to win on the men’s DP World Tour with victory in the Volvo Scandinavian Mixed.

They will join a packed field that will also feature a host of Spanish stars, including Solheim Cup hero Carlota Ciganda, rising talent Ana Peláez Triviño, Nuria Iturrioz and Carmen Alonso.

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Open Championship 2022: ‘No country does it better than Scotland’ as Jack Nicklaus receives honour at emotional ceremony in St Andrews

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 08:22:50 +0000

Jack Nicklaus leaves Younger Hall after receiving the Freedom of St Andrews, with his wife Barbara prior to the 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course. Oisin Keniry/R&A

By John Huggan

In Britain, the natives have long been accomplished in the arts of both pomp and circumstance. Ceremony too, as was the case when the University of St Andrews and the Royal Burgh of St. Andrews Community Council hosted a wee get-together on Tuesday to give out five honorary degrees and make Jack Nicklaus — already Dr Nicklaus in their academic eyes — an honorary citizen of the Auld Grey Toon.

Watched by a packed audience in the Younger Hall on North Street — which included PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, USGA executive director Mike Whan and Augusta National president Fred Ridley among others — Catriona Matthew, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle, Lee Trevino and Bob Charles all emerged as ‘Doctors of Law’. Previous recipients include Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Seve Ballesteros, Peter Alliss, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson, Charlie Sifford, Renee Powell, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington, Arnold Palmer and Paul Lawrie.

All of which added another unforgettable chapter to the story of the place where, 64 years earlier, Bobby Jones had famously accepted the Freedom of St Andrews. He, Benjamin Franklin and now Nicklaus (with the modern equivalent) are the only three Americans so honoured.

This time was just as emotional, especially for 82-year-old Nicklaus. Back at the Home of Golf for the first time in 17 years, the 18-time major champion — two of which he won at the Old Course — was at times unable to continue. Just as he had done back in 1966, when he completed the career Grand Slam with victory in the Open Championship at Muirfield, the Golden Bear took refuge in the same phrase: “Do you mind if I just pause and enjoy this for a minute?”

No one did. One of the great things about the greatest game in the land where it began is the deep affection the Scots have always had for the truly great American players. As Nicklaus has more than once noted, he, Jones, Palmer and Ben Hogan have almost enjoyed more popularity in Scotland than in the United States.

Nicklaus was typically modest during his short address, drawing on a quote from the late, great American journalist Grantland Rice that ends with the line that even the most famous are “replaced by others and soon forgotten.” There was also time to remember the four shots Jack expended in Hell Bunker en route to a quintuple-bogey 10 on the Old Course’s par-5 14th hole during the 1995 Open. “I don’t want to go to hell again,” he said with a smile.

No one in the room was having any of that, of course. As Nicklaus wound up by thanking the people of St Andrews, “for remembering me and allowing me to be one of you”, everyone rose in what turned into a prolonged ovation. All of which again evoked memories of 1958, when a nearly disabled Jones noted that he “could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life.” The only thing missing this time was a poignant rendition of the old Scottish song, “Will ye no come back again?”

Earlier, the graduation rituals — immaculately hosted by University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sally Mapstone — provoked only occasional emotion from the recipients, although Olazabal was moved to tears by the presentation read by the university’s head of development operations, Louise Taylor.

Lee Trevino during a procession after Jack Nicklaus has been made an Honorary Citizen of St. Andrews. Ross Parker

There were laughs too. How could there not be with Trevino in the room? After telling the next man up, Charles, to get comfortable in his seat as he was going to talk “for a while”, the two-time Open champion made a typically witty speech. Inevitably, he found space for an old favourite among his many jokes.

“I have trouble getting to sleep,” he said. “Because I can’t wait to get up and hear what I have to say in the morning.”

And of course, the Merry Mex was moved to pay tribute to Nicklaus, an old friend as well as rival. Back when the Senior Tour first came into being, Trevino sent a dozen red roses to Barbara Nicklaus every week she kept husband Jack at home and “off the tour”. In 1990 that added up to 31 dozen flowers.

In conclusion though, even Trevino was serious. This is a man who has travelled further than perhaps any other golfer. Humble does not begin to describe his start in life. The first paragraph of his history in the programme says it all:

“Lee Buck Trevino was born in a three-room shack with no plumbing on a cotton farm in Garland, Texas, in December 1939 and raised by his mother, Juanita, and grandfather, Joe, a gravedigger. At the age of three he was picking cotton, at six helping irrigate the cemetery at night. The family moved to falls next to the then Glen Lakes GC, where Trevino learned to play on a makeshift three-hole dirt course in the caddie yard.”

“This is the greatest honour I’ve ever had,” he said. “This place is truly special.”

As was this ceremony. “No sport celebrates its heroes better than golf,” was Olazabal’s verdict. “And no country does it better than Scotland.”

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Aramco Team Series — Bangkok: Team Hillier triumph as Patty Tavatanakit holds lead for final individual round

Matt Smith — Fri, 13 May 2022 12:09:24 +0000

Team Hillier with the Aramco Team Series — Bangkok trophy

By Matt Smith
Patty Tavatanakit held on to her individual lead as Team Hillier triumphed at the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok on Friday.

The innovative Ladies European Tour tournament runs a three-day individual strokeplay competition alongside the two-round, four-player team event and it was Whitney Hillier and her crew that came out on top to lift the team trophy at Thai Country Club.

Hillier, Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon backed up their excellent first round to seal a three-stroke victory with a 15-under-par final round.

It was a first LET title for Hillier and Chayanun, while it is back-to-back victories for Bakker, who was part of Team Pedersen in Jeddah last November.

Captain Hillier said: “I’m so proud of my team. Even from the start of yesterday morning we just had a good vibe. Everything just flowed and obviously we played great golf, but we had a lot of the fun, so that was the most important thing too. This is my 10th year on tour, and for my first win to be in a team event, like that’s pretty cool. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow too, now.”

Bakker added: “It’s great to be here winning again. We had so much fun and as Whitney said, yesterday we started to play good right away and making birdies.”

It was a fantastic day for Chayanun, whose home club is Thai Country Club, in the Individual competition as she carded a 67 (-5) to help her team and climb up the individual leaderboard.

“I’m just happy,” she said. “I never thought about winning and we did it as a team, so I’m really happy. I’m so proud of my team. Everything was perfect today. I made so many pars and had like eight birdies, so that’s the secret. I got so much good energy from my team. They are really supportive, so that just made me keep going.”

Team Simmermacher led by Magdalena Simmermacher alongside Charlotte Liautier, Isabella Deilert and amateur Sirapob Yapala, finished in second place on 28-under, while Team Tavatanakit were third with a total of -26 and one shot further back in a tie for fourth place were Team Moriya Jutanugarn and Team Lampert.

Patty Tavatanakit. Aramco

In the individual competition, which concludes on Saturday, Tavatanakit signed for a three-under 69 to improve to nine-under.

The Major winner (she claimed the 2021 ANA Inspiration) rolled in birdies on seven and nine before dropping a shot on the 12th, but the Thai star rolled in back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to hold a two-shot lead heading into the final day.

“It was pretty good,” said Tavatanakit. “Walking off the course without my A game and being on top of leaderboard is always a nice feeling. If anything, just seeing a little bit of confidence that I left a lot out there and a lot of things could be improved tomorrow. I didn’t really have the right flow today, but I stayed patient and a couple putts dropped at the end so that helped a lot.”

England’s Felicity Johnson and Belgium’s Manon De Roey sit two shots off the lead on seven-under having fired rounds of 68 and 67, respectively.

“I played nicely and played really steady, I’m happy with my rounds from today and yesterday,” said Johnson. “I hit a lot of fairways and greens.

“Myself and my caddie did a lot of good work at the start of the week of where we’re trying to hit approach shots and to figure out the grain as the ball is making its way to the hole on the greens.”

De Roey added: “I feel great, I was just playing for the team today and trying to make as many birdies as possible. Last week I wasn’t playing my best golf, but I was able to make a lot of birdies and that built my confidence for this week, and I feel a bit more comfortable.”

? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?@Beany25 equalled the course record with a stunning 6⃣6⃣ (-6) to move into contention in Thailand ??#RaiseOurGame | #BringTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/AXIISiINpT

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) May 13, 2022

Two-time Major winner Ariya Jutanugarn is on six-under alongside Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson with five players in a tie for sixth place on five-under including Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who fired the best round of the day with a 66.

“I haven’t been playing much or practicing so didn’t quite know what to expect,” said the two-time winning Solheim Cup captain.

“I played well today, and I putted well. Kind of every little thing everything went for me. I’m disappointed in my finish. As a golfer you’re never too thrilled, but overall delighted.

“I picked out a new putter just before I came here and that’s been working so well. My caddie reads the greens great, so I just leave it to her, and she just points, and I try and hit it where she says.”

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Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn teams up with Solheim Cup hero Catriona Matthew at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Bangkok

Matt Smith — Wed, 11 May 2022 11:08:41 +0000

The Jutanugarn sisters Ariya and Moriya with fellow Thai star Patty Tavatanakit

By Matt Smith
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn will partner with Solheim Cup icon Catriona Matthew in one of the headline fourballs at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Bangkok.

The hometown hero used her captain’s pick in last night’s pre-tournament draft to recruit the Scot, an 11-time Tour champion and Major-winner and back-to-back winning Team Europe to Solheim Cup captain.

Spanish Ladies European Tour rookie Paz Marfa Sans will complete the professional side of the team, which will be completed with the addition of an amateur golfer, before play gets underway at Thai Country Club on Thursday.

“Playing in my home country is very exciting,” said Jutanugarn, who will be making her second appearance in an Aramco Team Series event.

“I wanted to pick the legend Catriona as she’ll make me feel a lot more calm — maybe I can learn from her, as well. I’m really happy with my team.

“For us, I think it’s just a case of going out, enjoying it and having fun. If we do, I’m sure we’ll be good!”

Asked if her captain for the week, the world No. 50, was a player she respected, Matthew said: “Oh, absolutely! I’ve played a lot with Moriya on the LPGA over the years. I haven’t seen her in a wee while, so I’m delighted to be playing together and being able to catch up.”

Jutanugarn was one pick earlier in the draft than her younger sister, Ariya.

Ariya also used her captain’s selection to recruit a Scot — Laura Beveridge. Anne-Charlotte Mora of France was the third addition to the team.

Asked about her captain’s pick, the two-time Major-winner said: “I’ve not known so much about Laura, but I had been looking at all the stats before picking her, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to help the team.

“Already we’re having so much fun, talking about what we’re going to eat today and where the good Thai food is! I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good team.”

This week’s debut Bangkok leg will be the first of five $1million Aramco Team Series tournaments on the Ladies European Tour calendar for 2022 — and the first with the three-day event’s new format.

Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams will now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prize money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs.

Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

Big names set to compete with the likes of the Jutanugarn sisters include fellow Thai superstar Patty Tavatanakit, who selected Finland’s Noora Komulainen as her captain’s pick — and who returns home to compete ranked as the world No. 13.

England’s Charley Hull has a blistering Aramco Team Series record, with three top 10 team finishes and a solo victory in last year’s New York event. She chose good friend and fellow English golfer Lauren Taylor as her teammate for the week’s fourball action.

Australia’s Whitney Hillier leaned on her mother’s Thai heritage to recruit Chonlada Chayanun, whose home course is this week’s host course, Thai Country Club.

The Aramco Team Series — Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of ATS events, and will be followed by four more $1million tournaments in London, Sotogrande, New York and Jeddah.

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Suzann Pettersen named 2023 European Solheim Cup captain

Golf Digest Middle East — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 02:41:47 +0000

Andrew Redington/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images

By Keely Levins
Suzann Pettersen has played a few different roles over the years at the Solheim Cup. But the two-time major champion says the job she’s just been assigned tops them all. In 2023, at Finca Cortesin in Spain, Pettersen will serve as Team Europe’s captain. The 40-year-old Norwegian takes over for Catriona Matthew, who was the victorious European captain in 2019 at Gleneagles and 2021 at Inverness.

“I am simply thrilled to be named Solheim Cup captain. This is the biggest honour of my career,” Pettersen said. “My best-golfing memories are from the Solheim Cup. You are out there with your teammates, your friends, and you all work for one goal. You fight for your friends, and you share incredibly precious moments.”

This is a fitting next chapter in what has been a compelling Solheim Cup career that traces back to her first appearance in 2002. Pettersen trails only Laura Davis for the most appearances by a European as a player with nine (she was selected for a 10th team in 2017 but had to withdraw), and twice she has been a vice-captain. In that time, Europe won five times and Pettersen has found herself in the midst of controversy and the focal point of one of the most iconic moments in Solheim Cup history.

In 2015 in German, Pettersen was paired with Charley Hull, in a fourball match against Americans Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome. Lee missed a putt on 17 and picked up the short par putt coming back as everyone in the group walked to the next tee. Pettersen, however, said she’d never given the putt to Lee. The hole went from a halve to a win for Team Europe, putting them 1 up with one to play. Lee was in shock and began crying, as did Hull, and European captain Carin Koch questioned Pettersen. The entire scene was chaotic, heated and emotional. Pettersen didn’t waver on her call. She and Hull went on to win the match. Team USA was able to use that moment as motivation in pulling off the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history the following day. Pettersen left the competition facing heavy criticism.

David Cannon/Getty Images

Fast-forward four years, and Pettersen is playing in the Solheim Cup in Scotland as an unlikely captain’s pick. She hadn’t been playing much competitive golf since the birth of her son earlier that summer, but Catriona Matthew took a chance on the veteran who was then ranked No. 635 in the world. It paid off. The competition came down to Sunday singles, the 18th hole at Gleneagles, and Pettersen’s seven-foot birdie putt against Marina Alex. Hole it, and Europe win the deciding point. Pettersen was fist-pumping before the ball dropped; she knew it was in. Her team and captains rushed the green, surrounding her in what was one of the most memorable scenes of any Solheim Cup. Promptly, Pettersen announced her retirement, saying it was never going to get any better than that moment. The drama of 2015 was forgotten; Pettersen was a bonafide hero.

As Pettersen prepares to captain Europe in 2023, she’ll no doubt bring her unapologetic competitiveness, passion and an incredible amount of experience. And as always with Pettersen, don’t be surprised to see some fireworks, too.

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EGF next gen delight in Dubai Moonlight Classic inspiration

Kent Gray — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 04:39:31 +0000

Photos by Chris Mabus

By Kent Gray
A group of female students and budding young golfers weaned unique golfing insights from some of the sport’s biggest international names during a special workshop arranged by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF).

Representing a mix of Dubai-based schools, the youngsters toured Emirates Golf Club and took part in tutorial sessions at Topgolf Dubai, led by English LET legend Dame Laura Davies, Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew, and English star Bronte Law, to promote the sport among Emirati and Arab students.

Samir Wallani, coach of the UAE Golf National Team, was thrilled with the students’ response to the workshop. “First of all, we have to get more girls into the game. There is a lot of fun within this game but players need to master many aspects – the technical, mental and physical parts, which include ability and the strategy. The students got a lot out of these sessions with the generous and inspiring professionals.”

MORE: Thursday’s Dubai Moonlight Classic Daily News is FREE here

On the growth of the game among young Emiratis and Arab world youth, Wallani added: “When I started with the UAE national team in 2017 only a few girls were playing. Now, Emirates Golf Federation is doing a very good job bringing youngsters from schools to the golf course and giving them lessons, selecting the best and adding them to junior national development programme. From there, we find members for the UAE National Team.”

Davies welcomed the opportunity to spread the word about golf to the next generation of Emirati and Arab girl.: “First and foremost, it’s all about enjoying golf, that’s the main thing. It is important to find a level of fun and then if it gets serious, it is all about practice.”

Matthew agreed. “Coming here is great, I was just playing the Angry Birds game which is great fun when you’re young. It’s about keeping it fun; you don’t want to make it too serious. Make it fun to get the girls into the game and they will naturally want to take it further and maybe get a bit more serious…”

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Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew excited for Moonlight Classic

Kent Gray — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 04:36:50 +0000

By Kent Gray
For Catriona Matthew, nothing in her glittering career beats leading Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup glory, not even winning her home open twice nor her major breakthrough at the 2009 Women’s British Open. Mind you, the rise and rise of Dubai as a golf destination is almost as implausible for the 52-year-old Scot.

Matthew is one of the star turns prepping for next week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA. She is no stranger to Emirates Golf Club but is looking forward to tackling the Faldo course under floodlights for the first time during the €260,000 Ladies European Tour event.

“I love playing in Dubai. I came out for many years to the Dubai Ladies Masters event that was held at Emirates Golf Club on the Majlis course and loved it,” said Matthew ahead of the 54-hole Pro-Am on the Faldo from October 27-29.

“I actually played the par 3 course there in an exhibition match under lights with Laura [Davies], Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson one year, and I am very much looking forward to playing the event this year and experiencing playing a full-length course under floodlights.”

Matthews has won four LPGA Tour and six LET Tour events but victory has thus far eluded her in Dubai. Not that she needs a second invitation to return to the Emirate.

“The players all used to love the Dubai Ladies Masters event. It was for sure one that you would put on your schedule at the start of every year.

“Dubai has always been very proactive in encouraging golf for women and has been a great supporter of the LET over many years. It is definitely seen as a destination. Women golfers from over the world want to come to so they can experience great conditioned golf courses, great weather and great food.”

Team Europe secured a second Solheim Cup victory on US soil when they edged Pat Hurst’s Americans 15-13 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, last month. It was a magic moment for Matthew.

Team Europe, captained by Catriona Matthew, celebrate 2019 Solheim Cup success at Gleneagles in Scotland. Getty Images

“Honestly, being Solheim Cup captain has been the highlight of my career. To have been fortunate enough to be the winning captain back-to-back has just been the icing on the cake. After Gleneagles, I thought hard whether I wanted to do it again and I enjoyed it so much I just had to give it another run, with the fact that Inverness Club had so many Scottish connections…course name, course designer it seemed it might have been written in the stars to win back-to-back.”

One of the few things almost as unbelievable has been watching Dubai grow up around golf.

“I first came to Dubai on a stopover to Australia in the mid 90’s. At that time, you got off the plane and had to walk to the terminal. There was nothing here, I then came back in 2006 to the Dubai Ladies Masters and the change was incredible, it was a proper city and the golf course, although still new, was excellent.

“Present-day, Dubai is just a massive tourist destination with everything you could possibly want, numerous first-class hotels, shopping, golf, desert safaris, and it even has an indoor ski slope. The transformation from a quick 2-hour stopover for the plane to refuel to what it is today is truly remarkable.”

The post Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew excited for Moonlight Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Jutanugarn sisters headline a trio of Thai stars confirmed for Dubai Moonlight Classic

Kent Gray — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:10:31 +0000

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Moriya (left) and Ariya Jutanugarn celebrate after winning the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club in July.

By Kent Gray
The Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, will be joined by another high-flying Thai prodigy, Atthaya Thitikul, as the headline acts at the 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic later this month.

Legendary Dame Laura Davies, the now 57-year-old four-time major champion, and two-time Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew, 52, were the other big names confirmed on Monday for the Oct. 27-29 Ladies European Tour Pro-Am to be played on The Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club.

After an 11-year association with Omega, the UAE’s only professional ladies event also has a new tournament partner with the €260,000 Dubai Moonlight Classic now “presented by EGA”. Emirates Global Aluminium is a long-time supporter of the Dubai Classics which are owned and organised by Falcon and Associates.

Ariya Jutanugarn, 25, is a former world No.1 and became the first golfer, male or female, from Thailand to win a major when she captured the 2016 Women’s British Open. She has since won the 2018 U.S. Open among her 12 LPGA Tour victories.

Moriya, 27, was LPGA Tour rookie-of-the-year in 2013 and has gone on to claim two titles on the world’s richest female tour, the most recent of which, the Dow Great Lakes Bay (teams) Invitational, was emotionally shared with her younger sister in July.

Thitikul is famous for becoming the youngest golfer ever to win a professional golf event when she won the LET’s Thailand Championship as an amateur on July 9, 2017, aged just 14 years, 4 months and 19 days.

David Cannon/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Atthaya Thitikul during the opening round of the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie Golf Links on August 19, 2021 in Carnoustie, Scotland.

Now 18, Thitikul’s résumé boasts four LET wins and she is the current leader of the circuit’s season-long Race to Costa del Sol courtesy of victories in the Czech Ladies Open and Swiss Ladies Open and eight other top 10s in her 15 starts this season.

Thitikul is rated 28th in the latest Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, five places behind Ariya Jutanugarn and six spots ahead of 34th-ranked Moriya.

Davies, a seven-time LET Order of Merit winner and 20-time LPGA event champion, continues to compete at the highest level. She is 484th in the Rolex Rankings and finished 66th in both the Scottish and Women’s British Opens earlier this year. Matthew, meanwhile, is the first European captain to mastermind back-to-back Solheim Cup wins after orchestrating a thrilling 15-13 triumph at the Inverness Club in Ohio last month. She is 577th in the Rolex Rankings and has won six LET titles in a glittering career.

After Covid-19 safety precautions ensured the 2020 Dubai Moonlight Classic was played behind closed doors in a bio-secure bubble, the 2021 tournament will return with fans. However, there is a small tweak to the format with the Pro-Am portion of the event now limited to 18 holes after the amateurs contested the opening 36-holes last year.

“In addition to free entry for all, a collaboration with Truckers UAE is set to provide spectators with a variety of culinary delights from the city’s vibrant local F&B scene, while golf taster sessions run by the Peter Cowen Academy will be available for all age groups and abilities, providing family fun under the floodlights,” Falcon and Associates said in a media statement.

They said it…

Laura Davies
“It is always a pleasure to return to Dubai; the players love to come here and tackle the Faldo. The weather and conditions are perfect for golf, and the atmosphere is always excellent. Playing under floodlights is something unique and it gives the event an attractive dimension for new fans.”

Catriona Matthew
“Dubai has always been a favourite destination for women’s golf and the city is a long-term supporter of the Ladies European Tour. Once again the strong field and the tournament will inspire more interest in the game with female audience – it would be great to see more young Arab girls playing the sport.”

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director
“The Dubai Moonlight Classic is one of the most highly anticipated, inclusive events on Dubai’s social and sporting schedule. We look forward to welcoming fans on Thursday and Friday to a celebration of world-class sport, food, and entertainment set against the stunning Dubai Marina backdrop.”

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