By Kent Gray
He graced our 100th edition cover and starred again at the tournament to mark the milestone.

World amateur No.26 Rayhan Thomas fired as easy a 68 as you are likely to see on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club to unsurprisingly waltz away with the best gross crystal at the 10th Golf Digest Middle East Classic in association with King’s College Hospital London.

Related: Check out all the action from the Majlis in our photo gallery

The 17-year-old Indian No.1s round was highlighted by four birdies and driver, 8 iron, eight foot putt for eagle on the par 5 13th and could have been lower but for a couple of uncooperative putts from close range.

Here’s a sweet swing from the MENA Tour history-marker on the par 3 4th at the Majlis which presented in magnificent condition as ever:

A sweet swing from @RayhanThomas on the par 3 4th @EmiratesGC. The @WAGRank #26 shot 68 to win the 9th @GolfDigestME Classic in a canter. ? pic.twitter.com/tCJ1ZQjUz6

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) October 18, 2017

Afterwards the Junior Presidents Cup representative was presented with a memento of his two Golf Digest covers from October 2016 and this month when he replicated our very launch issue cover from Nov. 2008 featuring singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake.

Thomas now has the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in his sights. The winner at Royal Wellington GC in New Zealand’s capital city from Oct. 26-29 earns invites to next year’s U.S Masters at Augusta National and the Open Championship at Carnoustie in Scotland.

Meanwhile, Miguel Quintana won division A (0-10 handicap) title with 38 stable ford points, but only on a better back nine count back from Casper Schonfeldt. Paul Dillon won division B (11-24 handicaps) with 37 points to edge Kyle Taggart by a point.

Both Quintana and Dillon won a pair of shoes from sponsor ECCO while the runners-up scored season passes to January’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

On course prizes went to Yves Buchard and Schonfeldt for nearest the pin on the 7th and 15th holes respectively. Schonfeldt drove away with a weekend Mercedes experience courtesy of the series’ official lease partner Autoroute.

The Els Club’s Karl Whitehead won nearest the pin on 2 on the par 4 17th while Julek Szczawinski collected a pair of season passes to the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens thanks to the straightest drive on the  par 5 3rd.

The post Cover star wins 10th Golf Digest Middle East Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The post PHOTO GALLERY: 2017 Golf Digest Middle East, in association with King’s College Hospital London, Amateur Series – Abu Dhabi G.C. appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Fast-forward nine years and approximately another 99 missed deadlines and we are set to do it all again in celebration of our 100th issue.  The best bit is that you, Dear Reader, are invited to join the fun.

The inaugural tournament has grown into the 2017 Golf Digest Middle East Series which this year takes us to the home of the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Omega Dubai Desert Classic, as well as the host venue of the European Challenge Tour’s penultimate Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge.

We’ve negotiated great green fees and sorted the prizes so all that is left is for you to do is to enter online and ensure your mates are in on the fun too.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ONLINE 

You can play one, two or all three events – there’s a prize for the overall order of merit champion – and we’re looking after players of all abilities with two divisions for the men (0-10 and 11-24 max).

The Western Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa are offering a special double room rate of AED 500 for players considering staying at the on-site luxury hotel the night before or after the tournament. For information, please ask to be sent info in the “Any special requests” section of the online entry form.

Spaces are limited at all three events, especially at The Majlis where all our awesome sponsors – including Official Lease Partner Autoroute –  will be joining the fun. So get the crew sorted and get your entries in TODAY!

We look forward to seeing you on the tee!

The post Golf Digest Middle East Amateur Series: Places in Al Hamra tournament Saturday still available! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Fast-forward nine years and approximately another 99 missed deadlines and we are set to do it all again in celebration of our 100th issue.  The best bit is that you, Dear Reader, are invited to join the fun.

The inaugural tournament has grown into the 2017 Golf Digest Middle East Series which this year takes us to the home of the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Omega Dubai Desert Classic, as well as the host venue of the European Challenge Tour’s penultimate Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge.

We’ve negotiated great green fees and sorted the prizes so all that is left is for you to do is to enter online and ensure your mates are in on the fun too.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ONLINE 

You can play one, two or all three events – there’s a prize for the overall order of merit champion – and we’re looking after players of all abilities with two divisions for the men (0-10 and 11-24 max).

The Western Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa are offering a special double room rate of AED 500 for players considering staying at the on-site luxury hotel the night before or after the tournament. For information, please ask to be sent info in the “Any special requests” section of the online entry form.

Spaces are limited at all three events, especially at The Majlis where all our awesome sponsors – including Official Lease Partner Autoroute –  will be joining the fun. So get the crew sorted and get your entries in TODAY!

We look forward to seeing you on the tee!

The post Golf Digest Middle East Amateur Series: Places in Abu Dhabi tournament Thursday still available! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Our thanks to all those who entered this competition which is now closed.

Underlining ECCO Golf’s commitment to pushing boundaries through innovation, ECCO COOL introduced GORE-TEX SURROUND technology to the golf industry. An advanced air channelling system within a grid-shaped sole structure provides 360° breathability without compromising on waterproof protection, the shoes keep feet dry in all conditions.

The post COMPETITION: Winners of ECCO COOL shoes announced appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.