107 Els Club Dubai members competed in the marquee event played over 36 holes.

Final Results:

Mens Club Championship (Gross)
Club Champion: Adrian Larsson (73, 75 = 148) +4
2nd Place: Barry Pavic (76, 74 = 150) +6
3rd Place: Ahmed Naim (74 + 77 = 151) +7

Ladies Club Championship (Gross)
Club Champion: Adele McKelvey (81, 83 = 164) +20
2nd Place: Nicola Milton (82,85 +167) +23
3rd Place: Lili Brecken (85, 87 = 172) +28

Mens Handicap Cup (Net)
1st Place: Colin Cordery (72, 72 = 144) Par
2nd Place: Alain DelaCourte (71, 74 = 145) +1
3rd Place: Johan Llenas (72, 74 = 146) +2

Ladies Handicap Cup (Net)
1st Place: Nicola Milton (73, 76 = 149) +5
2nd Place: Angela Kadyan (74, 77 = 151) +7

Image: Els Club Dubai

The post McKelvey and Larsson 2023 Club Champions at the Els Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
One of Dubai’s own is setting out on a new career path as just-graduated Amelia McKee has taken the decision to turn pro, stating “it is time to try my hand at a professional career, and move into my ‘grown-up’ life.”

The American 22-year-old has said farewell to New Mexico State University after graduating at the weekend, closing a chapter on a golfing journey that took her halfway around the world and back again.

The Houston, Texas, native moved to Dubai as a 10-year-old as her father took a job in the oil industry. She quickly fell in love with the game of golf in the UAE, progressing through the ranks while contending with the male players as there was no young female golf scene to speak of back then.

Amelia caught the attention of Claude Harmon at the Els Club, Dubai and he helped guide her on her journey that led to a scholarship at NMSU.

Three years further on and next up is Q-School in Florida, with the aim being the Epson Tour and — ultimately — the LPGA Tour.

“Today I say goodbye to college golf,” Amelia wrote in a public social media post.

“There are so many things that I have to say, none of which fully capture what I am actually feeling. I am unbelievably grateful for the experience and time I have had here at NMSU. Thinking about where I started, how I got here, and the last three years of my life bring up so many emotions. I could never put into words how much it all means to me.

“To my teammates -— you girls have changed my life in ways that you will never understand. You gave me a family far away from mine. You gave me peace and happiness on my hardest days. You helped me rekindle my love for the game of golf. For those things, I will never be able to repay you. But know that I have loved every moment being here with you.

“You’re going to do amazing things, long after I’m gone. And long after college. You’re the best people I have ever known. I can’t wait to see where this crazy world takes you, I know it will be magic. I love you forever.”

A young Amelia McKee with Sergio Garcia

Amelia also took time out to show appreciation to her coaches.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me,” she wrote. “I’m so proud to have been apart of the programme you created. Over the past three years, you have exceeded any expectation that I had of college golf. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for believing in me, even when it was hard to do myself. Thank you for simply being there when I needed you. Y’all are the best thing that could have happened to me. The 2019 version of myself was so lost and confused, you gave me a purpose and direction when I needed it the most. I am forever grateful.”

She signed off: “New Mexico State University, I will love you until the end of time.”

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The post New direction: Dubai golfer Amelia McKee turns pro after graduation, Q-School in Florida up next appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We’ve taken all the leg work out of finding the best rates to ensure you get your golfing fix this Eid Al Fitr holiday. Enjoy!

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DUBAI GOLF:  2 for 1 at Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Creek

Enjoy 2-FOR-1 golf on the Majlis and Faldo courses at Emirates Golf Club, the Earth and Fire courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates and the championship course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club this Eid Al Fitr when booking exclusively with Golf Central.

Simply click on the links below to avail this deal: download the Golf Central app today:

App Store or Google Play (Android)

Terms and conditions apply and promotional tee times are subject to availability so get in quick. Follow Dubai Golf on Instagram @golfcentralapp for the latest promotions and competitions.

RELATED: How to conquer Dubai Creek’s iconic 6th hole

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TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB DUBAI

From June 3-6th, book a round on Trump Dubai’s Gil Hanse-designed championship course and get complimentary access to the club’s infinity pool on the same day. What better way to cool off after your round than with those elevated, watery views? 

International Women’s Golf Day 2019 – June 4, 2019
Ladies can tee it up on International Women’s Golf Day at Trump Dubai for just AED 200 from 9am to noon, or AED 50 all day for a round on the club’s epic par-3 layout. You can also enjoy the Infinity Pool on the day if you book a round on the 18-hole course.

Trump Dubai is also hosting a women’s only academy open day from 9am to 10am and again from 4pm to 5pm where the club’s pros will be on hand to provide tips.

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SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

If you have a smart phone, a UAE mobile number and WhatsApp, you’re on your way to the best deals at SGSC. Check out the deal here:

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DUBAI HILLS GOLF CLUB

Dubai Hills Golf Club is offering a special summer rate from June 1, starting from AED 350 on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) and AED 425 during weekends (Friday and Saturday).

Book on dubaihillsgolfclub.com or via the Troon App. Alternatively, call +971 4 362 7555 or email info@dubaihillsgolfclub.com

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YAS LINKS ABU DHABI

Kyle Phillips’ Abu Dhabi masterpiece is maintaining its midweek rates throughout the whole of the Eid period – a steal at just AED 295.

Yas Links is also running an early bird rate of AED 250 between 6:30am-7am and a matching Twilight rate of AED 250 for tee times between 3pm-4:30pm. There’s also a Beat the Clock special when you tee off between 5pm-6pm.

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THE ELS CLUB, DUBAI

Ernie Els is known as the Big Easy and it’s easy to see why the Eid Al Fitr deal at the South Africa major winner’s celebrated Dubai design will be a winner. The Els Club, Dubai is offering an “Eid Bundle” which started on Sunday , June 2 and runs to June 8. Check it out: 

• 3 rounds of golf (valid from Sunday 2nd to Saturday 8th)
AED 495 for Troon Executive Card holders
AED 595 for all other categories

• 7 days of golf (June 2nd to June 8th)
AED 695 for Troon Executive Card holders
AED 795 for all other categories

T&C’s apply – the deal is not transferable for example – but there’s a seven-day booking window. So what are you waiting for? Get clicking! 

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JA THE RESORT GOLF CLUB

We are mightly impressed by the recent rejig of Dubai’s pioneering 9-holer at Jebel Ali and here’s a great way to experience Peter Harradine’s handiwork from June 4-6 inclusive.

You can play nine holes at JA The Resort Golf Course for AED 195 per person including green fee, cart hire and range balls as well as a 20% discount on F&B. Whats more, they’ll throw in a  voucher for another 9-hole round to be utilised over the summer period.

Simply quote ‘Golf Digest’ upon booking to avail the offer. Book now on 04 814 5023 or golf.teetimes@jaresorts.com

The post The UAE’s best Eid Al Fitr holiday green fee deals appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Players of Determination take part in golf session with Butch Harmon School of Golf’s Natalie Goodall

Special to Golf Digest Middle East
Despite only picking up a golf club for the first time two months ago, the 14-year-old Emirati has quickly fallen in love with the sport and is eagerly counting down the days until he tees off at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

“I love golf and have been playing since September, it’s literally the best,” said the UAE Special Olympics Athlete who has seen his golfing skills develop rapidly in a short space of time, much to the delight of his family, teammates and coaches.

“My whole team are my friends and I love being part of the team. My aim is to be in first place and get a medal,” said Ali, adding: “My mum and dad are so proud.”

Ali joined other members of the UAE Special Olympics Golf Team at a Golf session held recently at the Els Club in Dubai Sports City.

Ali bin Sumadiaa, Vincent Baur, Gabrille Snowden and Pieter Snyman give the Els Club a thumbs up after their session.

The event, in line with Abu Dhabi’s commitment to hosting the most unified Games in the 50-year history of Special Olympics, saw Special Olympics athletes play a few fun-filled rounds of golf alongside players without intellectual disabilities and expert coaches.

As well as building a sense of camaraderie between the athletes, the session helped members of the UAE Special Olympics Golf Team improve their technique and overall skills on the golf course due to a coaching session put on by Natalie Goodall, teaching professional from the Butch Harmon School of Golf, which will help them to achieve their goals next March at the World Games Abu Dhabi.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is an integral part of a series of planned initiatives to expand opportunities for people of determination in line with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s shared vision of a unified and inclusive society.

This commitment to empowering people of determination, coupled with hosting Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, has seen the UAE take an active role on a global stage to promote the power of sport to transform lives and its values around tolerance and humanitarian development.

UAE national team golfer Omar Bastaki said he jumped at the opportunity to work with the Special Olympics athletes as one of the team’s unified partners. The experience has changed the way he views people with intellectual disabilities, the game of golf and even himself.

“I spend my days playing with professionals who are really good golfers, but when you get to see these young adults play it’s really something great,” said the 33-year-old. “They’re incredibly talented and have hidden skills that come out while you’re teaching them.

“Working with the Special Olympics athletes teaches you to be open-minded and I think that’s the biggest thing – it puts your feet on the ground, it makes you a better person, a better player. I’m only 33, but I think I’m understanding life a bit more every time I play with these guys.”

Omar’s role in the team sees him work closely with Vincent Baur from Germany, one of the expatriate Special Olympics athletes who will proudly represent the UAE at the World Games Abu Dhabi.

Special Olympics UAE Golf Team are joined by unified partner Omar Bastaki and Natalie Goodall as they enjoy a coaching session at the Butch Harmon School of Golf.

“My role as a unified partner player is to guide Vincent, to coach him and to partner with him during the tournament. I’m working to help make him as consistent as he can be,” added Omar.

As a ‘level 2’ Special Olympics athlete, Vincent has proven himself to be a naturally skilled golfer. His work with Omar and his teammates has helped to develop his game greatly.

“I started playing golf when I was 16 in Germany,” said Vincent. “I moved to Abu Dhabi 4 years ago in 2014. I love football and basketball, but golf is my favourite.”

Ali and Vincent are joined on the UAE Special Olympics Golf Team by American athlete Gabrille Snowden and Pieter Snyman, from South Africa.

“I enjoy golf and have made lots of great new friends,” said Gabrille, 24. “I’m really looking forward to the World Games.”

I’ve been playing golf for a year now and I enjoy it,” said Pieter. “The thing I enjoy most is meeting new people and the people I play with. I’ve made lots of good friends.”

The 16-year-old admits to being nervous ahead of the start of the World Games Abu Dhabi but is also excited to compete alongside his friends on the global stage.

“I’m nervous because the World Games are during school time, but they are sending me work to do,” said Pieter. “It’s cool but it will be hard. I don’t really have any achievements yet but after the World Games I will and that’s great.”

Rahma Ismail shares coaching duties with Omar and is proud of the way the young golfers have progressed so far and how UAE society as a whole is fully supportive of the athletes taking part in the Special Olympics and people of determination in general.

“I have been coaching since September, so it’s not been that long, but it’s been quite an experience,” said Rahma, 26. “I feel like I’ve learnt the sport as the athletes were learning. They are my inspiration.

“In the UAE, people of determination can work, they can go out and be a part of the community. They’re accepted and included.

“What I am looking forward to the most about the World Games is to have the team feel like they can do whatever they want and be whoever they want just like any other person,” said Rahma. “It’s not really about winning, it’s more about them feeling like they can do whatever they want.”

About Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is an integral part of local, national and regional plans to expand opportunities for people of determination in line with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s shared vision of a unified and inclusive society.

Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2019. From March 14-21, more than 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 192 nations will participate in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports in world-class venues throughout Abu Dhabi.

The first ever Special Olympics World Games to be held in the Middle East and North Africa will also be the most unified Games in the 50-year history of the Special Olympics movement, with inclusion of people of determination with intellectual disabilities in every aspect of the event.

For more information on Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit abuDhabi2019.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The post UAE golf team count down to Special Olympics appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.