Inspired by leading Canadian Ed Tech company, Kalebr Americas, the event achieved its remit of promoting innovation, well-being and empowering students with 21st-century workplace skills.

Nord Anglia International School, Al Barsha was crowned the “Grand Winners” of the event where the Golfbots traversed a custom three-hole mini golf course. Expert judges, community votes and social media interaction were combined to decide the winners in different categories at the two-day event which was supported by BMW Group Middle East, AGMC and Dubai Autism Centre.

“The 2019 ParOne STEAMathalon demonstrated how AI, tolerance and sports can be successfully integrated into schools, creating exciting learning spaces at unexpected places to bring the community together,” said Aaditya Tangri, co-founder of STEAMathalon.

“Most importantly, it is a brilliant real-world example of how industry partners such as BMW, AGMC, The Els Club, and Re:Set can join parents and teachers in the school to promote future skills and well-being for students while co-existing within the school curriculum.”

The Els Club General Manager Karl Whitehead was wowed by the AI creations.

“The Els Club is delighted to have played a part in the very first ParOne STEAMathalon. The event’s AI learning focus meant an array of talented GolfBots were presented and took to our course this year. We were impressed to see how the young students’ efforts took shape to innovate and potentially improve the game of golf!”

Rosamand Marshall, CEO of Taaleem and a STEAMathalon advocate also congratulated Kalebr for “bringing such an innovative competition to students in Dubai.”

“ParOne STEAMathalon is a wonderful initiative, creating an environment in which learning can flourish,” Marshall said.

“Students are able to immerse themselves in this holistic project, co-create, design and develop technical solutions for the competition, and the experience will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Providing these inspiring moments is how students are motivated to learn effectively, working in collaboration and in friendly competition with each other.

“The goal of the ParOne STEAMathalon established by Kalebr opens students’ minds and engenders mutual respect and tolerance in our society.”

ParOne STEAMathalon – 2019 Winners

Grand Winner 2019 ParOne STEAMathalon: Nord Anglia International School, Al Barsha
1st Runners Up: Our Own English High School, Sharjah
2nd Runners Up: Oxford School, Al Qusais
ParOne Golf Invitational Classic Winner: Horizon International School, Umm Suqeim
Most Creative (tied winners): Dubai Autism Center and Dunecrest American School, Al Barari
Most Popular: Nord Anglia International School, Al Barsha
Most Sustainable: Fairgreen International School, Sustainable City
Most Tolerant: International School of Creative Science, Nad Al Sheba
Grittiest Team (tied winners): Al Ittihad Private School, Jumeirah and Regent International School, Al Barsha
Most Innovative (tied winners): GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis and Dubai British School, Springs

The post AI ‘GolfBots’ overrun The Els Club, Dubai as UAE students participate in ParOne STEAMathalon appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
One of Middle East golf’s better kept secrets is finally out with the Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club Dubai set for a significant rebrand. But fans of the world renowned Harmon method of instruction needn’t fret.

From January 1, the academy will be overseen by Butch’s son Claude Harmon III and be known as the Claude Harmon ③ Performance Golf Academy Dubai.

The shake-up follows the departure of U.S.-bound Justin Parsons after he initially helped Claude open the BHSG Dubai 10 years ago. Parsons has been replaced as Director of Instruction by his deputy Jamie McConnell while Claude Harmon will spend at least a week at The Els Club annually hosting member only events, VIP clinics, Q&A’s and tournaments as well as working with his team of instructors.

Claude and Butch Harmon with Justin Parsons at The Open.

It’s a coup in a region that already boasts the Peter Cowen academies at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Golf sister property Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the recently opened David Leadbetter academy at JA The Resort, more commonly known as Jebel Ali.

Claude Harmon, who was based in Dubai for several years before he made a move back to his native USA, has long since stepped out of the shadow of his famous pop with Dustin Johnson,  Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler among his stable of star players.

Jamie McConnell has succeeded Justin Parsons as Director of Instruction at the newly Claude Harmon academy.

McConnell has been mentored by Parsons during his near five years in Dubai and has already succeeded Parsons who starts a new role at prestigious Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island in Georgia in February.

Irishman McConnell is an AA PGA and TPI Level 2 professional and has helped the BHSG Dubai become a production line for top amateurs, along with a beacon for touring professionals. Toby Bishop, who just won the Faldo Series European Grand Final, was McConnell’s very first lesson when he joined the BHSC in 2013. 

An artists impression of the new leisure facilities at The Els Club Dubai.

Meanwhile, work on a new state-of-the-art leisure facility will begin at The Els Club Dubai, early next year. The Troon International managed facility is set to benefit from a gymnasium, large resort-style swimming pool, a swim-up pool bar, a children’s play area and an additional restaurant. It is hoped it will be operational by September 2019.

“We could not be more excited about this incredible development to our club and cannot wait for the changes to be made and for golfers to enjoy next year,” said Els Club general manager Karl Whitehead.

“This is a fantastic addition to the membership offering at The Els Club Dubai and we are confident of the success that it will bring to our property and the wider community.”

Mark Chapleski, the Dubai-based president of Troon International, applauded the developments at The Els Club Dubai.

“The Troon properties in the Middle East are of exceptional quality and we are delighted to be working alongside one of the region’s leading clubs on this expansion,” Chapleski said.

“It is a progressive move and one we wholeheartedly support. We are also delighted for Jamie, who has been exceptional over several years already. I’m confident he, and the new Claude Harmon ③ Performance Golf Academy Dubai, will thrive at The Els Club Dubai.”

The post From Butch to Claude III; The Els Club Dubai remains a Harmon haven for improvement hungry golfers appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

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.