The duo scored an outstanding nine holes of net 29, seven under par, on the front nine of the Earth Course for a two shot victory.

Simon Astrom and Lukas Astrom secured a second spot with a net 31, five under par. While reigning JGE Club Champion David Bainbridge and partner Jill Bainbridge carded a net 32, four under par for third place.

On Course Competitions:
Longest Drive with a Putter – Hole 3 – Lukas Astrom
Nearest the Pin – Hole 6 – Lewis Delaney

Concluding the prize-giving presentation, Ed Atack Golf Services Executive at Jumeirah Golf Estates, thanked everyone for participating. “A big thank you to Kasturi for once again hosting us and putting on a wonderful selection of food for us all this evening. A big thank you also to you guys for continuing to support this event and we wish you a Merry Christmas!”

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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This unique event was set as a pairs scramble format in which Evelyn Downham, JGE Lady Captain, and Jonathan Hall, JGE Men Captain, each crafted their own course for the day: Evelyn’s course encompassed the front nine of the Fire course and the back nine of the Earth course, while Jonathan’s circuit used the front nine of Earth course and the back nine of Fire course.

Before the commencement of play, Jonathan and Evelyn orchestrated a vibrant array of activations across the driving range and putting green. The driving range hosted a longest drive contest, while the putting green hosted a 168ft longest putting competition.

These contests also offered players the opportunity to contribute to the Junior Colleague Fund.

Final day’s scores below

Captains Day Overall Winners:
Adam Hodgkins & Martin Stewart – Net 60

Captains Course Winners:
Jonathan Hall’s Course
Alan McNamara & Ian McInerney – Net 61
Tom Purdy & JJ O’Toole – Net 62 (countback)
David Bainbridge & Tom Stephenson – Net 62

Evelyn Downham’s Course
Marc Beattie & James Finnigan – 62
Joshua Clarke & Paul McGee – Net 63 (countback)
Tom Neale & Ben Wise – Net 63

On Course Competitions:

Jonathan Hall’s Course
Nearest The Pin – Hole 4 Earth – Russ Wilson
Nearest The Pin – Hole 6 Earth – Adam James
Nearest The Pin – Hole 14 Fire – Ronan Keating

Evelyn Downham’s Course
Nearest The Pin – Hole 2 Fire – Mark Schoombie
Nearest The Pin – Hole 8 Fire – David Hadley
Nearest The Pin – Hole 17 Earth – Alex Daniel

Longest Drive Men – Ollie Henderson – 333 yards
Longest Drive Ladies – Tanya Harrison – 240 yards
Longest Putt – David Bainbridge

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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The tournament, which was played over the Fire course, brought together the best talents from Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Emirates Golf Federation, and Jumeirah Golf Estates. Each team’s best eight scores, out of ten players, were counted towards the overall team’s standing.

Jumeirah Golf Estates’ own Sherma Ayrton delivered a stellar performance, achieving her lowest ever score of 43 points. Sherma’s remarkable round was marked by an impressive tally of seven net birdies and two net eagles. Her outstanding display not only earned her victory in the individual standings but counted towards her JGE team climbing up the overall rankings.

Securing second place at the Ladies ICC was another Jumeirah Golf Estates member in Nicsha Rodriguez with a gross 38. While in third place with 37 points was Jane Vorster.

From left; Anna-Retha Rafferty, JGE Ladies Vice-Captain with Sherma Aryton, Individual Stableford winner

On Course Competitions:
Longest Drive – Hole 7 – Jane Voster – JGE
Nearest the Pin – Hole 14 – Nicsha Rodriguez – JGE (5ft)

Team Overall League Standings

1^ST – Jumeirah Golf Estates – 517
2^ND – Emirates Golf Federation – 501
3^RD – Abu Dhabi Golf Club – 462

Images: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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In teams of four, every player would tee off and then with the best shot selected, each player would then take turns hitting their second shot from the selected shot. This process would continue until the ball was holed out.

The winning team of Willemijn Roeterdink, Sylvia van Der Tol, Rosine Natali, and Juliette Castell emerged winners with a remarkable net score of 54, 18 under par. Their round included 14 birdies and two eagles, clinching the title by a two shot margin.

Securing second spot in the festive tournament was the team of Lisa Lynch, Bettina Schrockenfuchs, Anna Abbott, and Shuang Sha. Their commendable net score of 56, 16 under, included four eagles, among which was a notable net hole-in-one.

On Course Competitions:
Nearest The Pin – Hole 2 – Kristen Blomeley
Nearest The Pin – Hole 8 – Anna Abbott
Nearest The Pin – Hole 11 – Lisa Lynch
Nearest The Pin – Hole 14 – Jane Voster

Whilst concluding the prize-giving presentation, Adam Stastny, Assistant Golf Services Manager, commented, “I would like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors who have supported the ladies section all year long, both Park Hyatt and The Lounge Spa. Lastly, a huge thank you to you guys, especially Evelyn for being the ones who makes the ladies events what they are!”

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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Securing second place after losing out on countback with a matching net score of four under was Conor Duffy and Kieran Blackshaw, the JGE Golf Experience Manager.

Despite their impressive performance, Ronan Curtis and Alex Whayman, also matched the winning score of four under par, but also had to settle for third place via countback.

On Course Competitions:
Nearest the Pin – Hole 6 – Jean Viollet
Longest Drive – Hole 9 – James Finnigan

Concluding the prize-giving presentation, Ed Atack,Golf Services Executive at Jumeirah Golf Estates, thanked everyone for participating. “A big thank you to Kasturi for once again hosting us and putting on a wonderful selection of food for us all this evening. A big thank you also to you guys for continuing to support this event and we look forward to seeing you all again next week as we return to the Fire course.”

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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The duo carded 11 net birdies and a net eagle, for a four stroke victory. Sherma played six strokes under her handicap on the day, which contributed significantly to pairs winning score.

Mitsuko Emmerson and Dilek Yildiz still had a respectable score of 63, nine under par, for second spot. A score which was matched by Anna-Retha Rafferty and Claudia Kilcullen who despite their impressive score had to settle on third place after losing out via countback.

On Course Competitions:
Nearest the Pin – Hole 8 – Lisa Lynch
Nearest the Pin – Hole 14 – Sarah Blomfield

Whilst concluding the prize-giving presentation, Adam Stastny, Assistant Golf Services Manager, commented, “Thank you everyone for taking part in today’s event and a huge congratulations to all our prize winners. A special thank you goes to our sponsor for today: Park Hyatt Dubai. As without their continued support hosting days like this would not be possible!”

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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In a field of 100 competitors, 50 teams, the duo achieved a gross score of 61 which included ten birdies and an impressive eagle on the par five 14th hole. Coming home on the back nine in a gross score of 29 helped them win on count back from second place. 

That was signed for by Peter Norris & Alan McNamara who matched Ayber and Wilmot with a gross 63, net 61 even with their ten gross birdies!

Craig Rooney & Steve Noon took third spot in a round which included two net eagles on holes 12 and 18 holes, en route to their score of gross 68, net 63.

On Course Competitions:
Nearest the Pin – Hole 17 – Ben Lewis
Beat the Pro v Jamie Dreelan – Hole 6 – Paul McMahon

Whilst concluding the prize-giving presentation, Adam Stastny, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, commented, “A huge congratulations to all the winners today, I would like to thank Lounge Spa for their continued support of this competition as without them this wouldn’t be possible. Furthermore, a big thank you to the F&B team for the lovely food they have put on for us today. Thank you to all you guys for participating and we look forward to seeing you all again next month.

Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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The Ryder Cup star was one over after six holes and level par as he made the turn at Jumeirah Golf Estates but reeled off five birdies in six holes to sign for a 67 and get to five under.

Earlier, Earth Course debutant Guerrier was bogey-free in making the same score at the fifth Rolex Series of the event of the season before in-form countryman Pavon finished birdie-birdie to join him with a blemish-free effort of his own.

Another Frenchman in Antoine Rozner was a shot off the lead alongside Swede Jens Dantorp and Pole Adrian Meronk, one clear of Højgaard’s Ryder Cup team-mates Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre and South Korea’s Tom Kim.

Dane Højgaard finished fourth over the Earth Course in his only previous appearance at this event in 2021, catapulting himself into the top ten on that season’s final Rankings.

Seven top tens in the 2023 season helped him earn his place in the European Team that defeated the United States in Rome and he had his best result of the campaign finishing second at last week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge.

He has brought that form to Dubai and revealed his Ryder Cup experience had given him the hunger to go to the very top as he looks for a first Rolex Series win.

“Spending time with the best players in the world, fighting for a common goal was amazing, and just being around those guys, seeing what they do, what do I do different, what do I need to work on,” he said.

“It gave me a lot of confidence going into the last end of the season here. You want to play with those guys but you also want to beat them.

“I played really well today. Drove it well from hole number one to 18, even though it was a little bit of a circus on 18, felt really solid. I got on a run. You know there’s a few chances out there, so it’s just about keep hitting good shots and stay present and I feel I did a good job today.”

Højgaard bogeyed the fourth after finding sand off the tee but took advantage of the par-five sixth before his putter came to life on the back nine.

He holed a 25-footer from off the green at the tenth and followed it with an 18-foot putt on the next. An up-and-down on the par-five 14th was then sandwiched by putts of 16 and 20 feet as he surged up the leaderboard.

Guerrier is making his first appearance at the season-ending event after qualifying thanks to three top threes, including his best DP World Tour career finish of second at the Porsche European Open.

He left himself 14 feet at the third, six feet at the fifth and holed an 18-footer at the eighth before hitting a smart approach into the tenth and making the most of the 14th.

That performance belied his debutant status and he admitted that caddie Chris Liley, a veteran of over 20 years on Tour, was a big help.

“I just tried to be really disciplined because I don’t really know this course,” said Guerrier. “My caddie has more experience on this course than me, so I just listen to him. I try to play in the zone and I did it correctly.

“It’s a really tough course. It’s very demanding from the tee because if you are in the rough, it’s really difficult to hit the greens and it’s not too firm, the greens, actually. So it’s more friendly.”

Pavon recently claimed his first DP World Tour title at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid and has since added two further top 20s in his last three events.

He put approaches to six feet at the fifth and 11th, took advantage of the 14th and then almost aced the 17th before holing a 40-footer on the last.

“What I’ve really released is now I know with my team, we were working on the right way,” he said. “For sure, I had a great, solid year, many top tens but I was missing something to get my first victory and I finally got it in Madrid.

“It’s more confirmation of what we achieve with my team so far and it was nice to have it done a few weeks ago and put me in a good way mentally to play these last two tournaments of the year.”

Meronk is already a three-time winner this season and he holed his second at the fifth from 130 yards for an eagle, the highlight of a round that also contained four birdies and two bogeys.

Dantorp played his way into this event last week and he carded six birdies and two bogeys, with Rozner dropping a single shot in his 68.

Kim was the only bogey-free player in the group at three under, which sat a shot ahead of English pair Dan Bradbury and Tyrrell Hatton, Swede Alexander Björk and Dane Thorbjørn Olesen.

Rory McIlroy has already wrapped up the Race to Dubai title and he was at one under, a shot clear of playing partner and defending champion Jon Rahm.

Image: DP World Tour

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With the top 50 players in the DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex battling it out on the course to be crowned DP World Tour Championship winner at the fifth and final Rolex Series event of the season, the tournament’s on and off-course entertainment offerings provide something for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s what lies ahead during this action-packed week:

Tuesday 14 November – DP World Tour Championship Rolex Pro-Am

The DP World Tour Championship Rolex Pro-Am signals the start of what promises to be an electrifying week of action at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Teeing up with some of golf’s biggest names will be a celebrity field including Leon “Locksmith” Rolle from multiple award-winning British drum and bass band Rudimental, Irish rugby legend Johnny Sexton and Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton. The three winners of this year’s DP World Tour Championship Luckiest Ball on Earth Grand Final – David Warham, Misun Kim and Hashem Shana’ah – will also take part.

Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 November – DP World Tour Championship

This year’s milestone 15^th edition of the tournament is set to feature a number of players from Europe’s victorious 2023 Ryder Cup team, with Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm all set to compete. Thursday will also mark the beginning of the event’s off-course entertainment programme, featuring an epic festival vibe fan village, with daily live music, children’s entertainment including magic tricks, drumming workshops and bubble shows, free golf lessons, trick shot shows and delicious F&B options from around the world.

The tournament’s on and off-course entertainment offerings provide something for everyone to enjoy.

Friday 17 November – Community Day

Friday marks Community Day at the DP World Tour Championship, featuring the start of the G4D Tour Series Finale, with the leading ranked players from the World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability competing for the title. Off the course, the Wicked Bar on the 15th hole will be providing free cake and bubbles at 15:00 hours to the first 15 customers.

Saturday 18 November – Ladies Day

The famous DP World Tour Championship Ladies Day returns on Saturday, with all spectators invited to dress up and show off. There will be two free drinks available for the ladies, as well as competitions, live music and entertainment, food trucks, free ladies golf lessons, glitter stations and free beauty services.

The 18th green at Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course

Sunday 19 November – Family Day

From magic tricks to a singing princess, this year’s Family Day will give youngsters the chance to explore everything on offer in the Championship Village. Other activities include drumming workshops, a circus show, face painting, balloon bending, plant potting and a bubble show, providing children with the opportunity to have plenty of fun and unleash their creativity.

Images: DP World Tour

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The 15th edition will see the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings compete at the fifth and final Rolex Series event of the 2023 DP World Tour season.

The Earth Course will once again test the DP World Tour’s finest as we determine who will walk away with the trophy and the winner’s cheque at the $10 million showdown, and also find out who will claim the season-long Race to Dubai crown. 

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Mates, teammates and roommates will have to put the pals’ act to one side after Team Europe’s Ryder Cup heroics in Rome, as this one will be every man for himself. 

We will have at least 10 of Team Europe’s stars on show. Defending DP World Tour Champ Jon Rahm and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy will be back in town for the season finale, while Ryder Cup teammates Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood will all enter the event on a high after they all helped Europe defeat Team USA at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club last month to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

The only absentee is rookie and nailed-on future superstar Ludvig Aberg, who only turned professional a few months ago and therefore does not have enough points to make the top-50 field. The last Team Europe member, veteran Justin Rose, has some work to do in Qatar and South Africa if he is to get into the last event of the DP World Tour season. 

McIlroy is looking to join Rahm as the only player to win the DP World Tour Championship three times — the Spaniard is the defending champion and also won in 2017 and 2019, while McIlroy claimed the title in 2012 and 2015 — and the Northern Irishman is the defending Race to Dubai champ. 

“Playing at the DP World Tour Championship is always an amazing experience,” McIlroy said. “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in Dubai and at this event in particular. The fans have been great, it’s amazing to have that support out there for us. When you have the top 50 golfers from the DP World Tour, you know it is going to be a fantastic competition. I’ve won here on a couple of occasions, and I would love to be right there come Sunday with both trophies to my name.”

Luke Walker/Getty Images

Rahm added: “It’s no surprise I love coming back to Dubai and to this golf course for the DP World Tour Championship. To win here three times, it means a lot to me, and it’s always an honour to defend any title you have put your name to.

“It’s going to be fantastic week. The vibe in Dubai is great, the field is world-class, and the fans get behind the players, so I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully, I can give them something to cheer about come Sunday afternoon.”

Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East for DP World Tour is anticipating a great event. “The 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship marks a remarkable journey of growth, from its inception to becoming one of the key tournaments in our global calendar. 

“The vibrant atmosphere created by passionate fans in Dubai is a testament to the unwavering excitement that surrounds this event, making it a true celebration of golf, as well as being an entertaining day out for all spectators.

“Following Team Europe’s thrilling Ryder Cup victory in Rome, I am delighted Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and, of course, Tommy Fleetwood who joins us here, are confirmed for our season-ending tournament. We also have their Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm — our defending champion — already announced, so we cannot wait to see these world-class golfers all in action.”

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Fleetwood, who secured the Ryder Cup for Europe when he was guaranteed at least a half-point in his match against Rickie Fowler, added: “Dubai has a special place in my heart, both as my home away from England and the home to one of my academies.

“I’ve played a number of tournaments here at Jumeirah Golf Estates and I look forward to the 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship in November. The fans have been unbelievable over the years and it has been amazing to witness it grow over time with all the activities available for kids and families, plus some pretty decent golfers.

“It’s an exciting tournament and I can’t wait to have some of my Ryder Cup teammates here as well, it is going to be another special week.”

The tournament will not only showcase the cream of the DP World Tour but also highlight the event’s commitment to a greener, more eco-conscious future. Building on foundations from previous years, this year’s Earth Lounge on the 16th hole will be fully powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators, resulting in a 100 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, while Averda, the event’s official waste management company, will recycle 75 per cent of tournament waste.

DP World Tour Championship’s commitment extends beyond the course, with the continuation of the G4D Tour, further reinforcing the event’s commitment to inclusivity. The G4D Tour Series Finale will be hosted on November 17, showcasing the leading gross-ranked players from the World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Daniel Van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer of Group Communications at DP World, said: “The 2023 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai is just around the corner, and it’s set to be an exhilarating season finale. This event marks our second year as the Title Partner of the DP World Tour, and what a fantastic two years it’s been.

“We’re excited to welcome the world’s best golfers back to Dubai for what promises to be an incredible conclusion to the season. The tournament holds special significance for DP World, and it’s also a standout on Dubai’s sporting and social calendar. It’s an event that caters to the entire family and gets better year on year. We can’t wait to see everyone at Jumeirah Golf Estates in just a month’s time.”

Main image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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