By Kent Gray
What do Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood and Miguel Ángel Jiménez all have in common?

Omega Dubai Desert Classic wins would be a close guess with Woods (2006 and 2008) a two-time winner of the famed Dallah trophy, followed by Spaniards Jiménez (2010) and Garcia (2017). Fleetwood is, of course, the odd man out but does boast a pair of Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship titles.

But the answer is a little more obscure as it comes from the 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic last month where the three winners at Emirates Golf Club were asked who their dream Pro-Am partner would be after claiming golfing dates with the stars as their respective prizes.

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Stephen Scott was unequivocal after capturing division A (0-10 handicaps) on the Majlis and a start in January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Pro-Am with 37 points.

Al Ain’s Tom Buchanan, The Els Club’s Franco Botha, division A champion Stephen Scott and Yas Links boss Howie Roberts.

“Definitely Tiger Woods, the best player ever and he was my golfing idol growing up,” said the Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills marketing manager who finished three Stableford points clear of Raymond Lucas. “It’s great seeing him competing again. Can you pair me up
with him?”

We’re not sure Tiger is lined up for Abu Dhabi, Stephen, but will surely ask if he does make a shock appearance. Maybe the former world No. 1 will make another appearance at the 30th anniversary edition of the Desert Classic where Shawn Welgemoed (pictured below, left) will tee it up in the proceeding Pro-Am after winning division B (11-24 handicaps) of the GD Classic with 36 points, two clear of Kiwi Rick McIntyre.

The Jiggers Golf Society 13-handicapper didn’t specifically request Tiger but we’re picking Welgemoed wouldn’t gripe, even if one of his first choice partners was available.

“I think any of the top 10 or Ryder Cup stars like Tommy Fleetwood or Sergio Garcia would be a natural choice, but I would love to walk the fairways and puff a cigar alongside a charismatic character like Miguel Ángel Jiménez.”

Yana Jamieson, winner of the women’s Golf Digest Middle East Classic, again proudly presented by King’s College Hospital London and AutoRoute, will tee it up in next May’s Omega Dubai Moonlight (formerly Ladies) Classic. But it didn’t stop her also dreaming of a tee time with Woods.

Yana Jamieson with Golf Digest Middle East publisher David Burke.

“Tiger because of his remarkable talents and the incredible comeback from injury and he seems to be a much more engaging person to chat with,” Jamieson said. “If Tiger is busy, I would invite Sergio to practice my Spanish and talk about the Ryder Cup.”

Jamieson is no stranger to Pro-Ams, having played at Dubai’s Ladies European Tour stop the last seven years, including in 2016 when she and Josie Tracey qualified after winning the Emirates G.C. Ladies Doubles Matchplay Championship.

“Last year we had a really enjoyable round with LPGA professional Emma Cabrera Bello,” Jamieson recalled before reflecting on her efforts in the Golf Digest ME Classic.

“The challenge was to focus on the game amidst the continuous chat with good company [she played alongside James Williams, the Emirates G.C. pro’s son and new MENA Tour GM Robbie Williams and Golf Digest Middle East publisher David Burke] and pitch the ball close to the hole.

“Recent lessons on the short game with our [Emirates G.C.] head pro Stephen Deane have proven to be a saviour. Thanks, Stephen again… now I need a putting lesson! Absolutely delighted to win this special prize, so will start practising!”

Welgemoed has teed it up in a Pro-Am previously but the Desert Classic start will be at another level, regardless of which European Tour star he is partnered with.

“We were paired with club and teaching pros in the 2007 Peugeot International Pro-Am in Paris but it doesn’t come close to be able to tee it up in the Desert Classic,” said Welgemoed who overcame scoring blobs on the 17th and 18th at the Majlis to play his final four holes in even par, including a brilliant birdie on his final hole when he knocked an 8 iron to seven feet on the par-4 3rd and rolled in the putt for a four-pointer.

“An invite to play in the Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am with the world’s best players is unreal, something most amateurs can only dream of.”

Scott, who also won the longest drive with what was, coincidently, his very first shot of the Golf Digest Middle East Classic, is in for a unique experience in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s fantastic. I have never played in a Pro-Am and it is something I had always wanted to do. Never in a million years did I expect to win division A and end up in the Pro-Am.”

This story first appeared in the November 2018 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. 

The post VIDEO: Pro-Am dreams come true at 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The countdown is on to the 11th edition of the Golf Digest Middle East Classic presented in association with King’s College Hospital London and AutoRoute, the culmination of our three tournament autumn series.

It’s not to late to enter the grand final at Emirates Golf Club next Tuesday where the winners of division A (0-10 handicaps), division B (11-24) and ladies competitions will earn Pro-Am starts at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and remodelled Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic respectively.

ENTER the 2018 Golf Digest Middle East Classic TODAY!

To get you in the mood for the October 16 decider, here’s s highlights reel from the second qualifying tournament at the Els Club, Dubai last week where Kevin Riley, Hisham Shammas and Stephanie Kemper all qualified for the 11th GDME Classic.

At AED 555, the entry fee for the GDME Classic is a sharp price for a round on the Majlis, rated No.1 in the most recent Golf Digest Middle East Top 10 courses ranking, in its own right. The bonus is a post Classic gala dinner and your chance to win once-in-a-lifetime European Tour and Ladies European Tour Pro-Am spots as well as other goodies from our sponsors.

RELATED: 100th edition cover star waltzes away with the 10th anniversary edition of the Golf Digest Middle East Classic

Check out the fun (and best action pictures) had at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Els Club, Dubai qualifiers and enter the 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic today. 

The post VIDEO: Golf Digest Middle East Classic qualifier at The Els Club, Dubai appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
For most amateur golfers a spot in a Pro-Am is but a dream, especially in a prelude as prestigious as those held on the eve of the European Tour’s annual Desert Swing events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and before the Dubai Ladies Classic.

But the dream of teeing it up with a superstar the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm or Shanshan Feng is real for UAE amateurs with the launch of the 2018 Golf Digest Middle East Amateur Golf Series presented by King’s College Hospital London and AutoRoute.

ENTER THE 2018 GOLF DIGEST MIDDLE EAST SERIES ONLINE TODAY!  

The three tournament series, culminating in the 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic, opens in Abu Dhabi next month.

The winners of Thursday qualifying tournaments at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on September 27 and The Els Club, Dubai on October 4 will automatically qualify for the 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic to be hosted by Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday, October 16 (all three are 1pm shotguns and Stableford events).

Saadiyat Beach G.C. hosts the first qualifier on September 27.

At the final on the fabled Majlis, the winners will walk away with Pro-Am spots to the Omega Desert Classic Pro-Am spot (Div A men, 0-10 handicap), Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Div B men, 11-24 max) and the Omega Dubai Ladies Classic (women).

Entry to Saadiyat Beach and The Els is AED 445 and includes entry fee, green fee and prize-giving buffet.

The Els Club hosts the second qualifier on October 4.

Those unsuccessful in reaching the GDME Classic on golfing merit can still play in the Majlis decider on October 16 although spots – at AED 555 per player including gala dinner – are limited, with preference given to those who have played in one or both of the qualifying events.

RELATED: 100th edition cover star wins 10th Golf Digest Middle East Classic

The entry fees are top value as higher winter green fees kick in around the UAE, not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime Pro-Am prizes on offer. There are also some great prizes for the minor placings at all three venues, with goodies from support sponsors Callaway and ECCO shoes, as well as season passes to the two European Tour Desert Swing events and the Dubai Rugby 7s.

David Cannon The series culminates at the 11th Golf Digest Middle East Classic on October 16 where the Pro-Am spots will be won.

Players must be able to prove an official club or Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) handicap to enter.

ENTER TODAY HERE 

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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.

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By Staff reporter
Guy Williams didn’t quite travel the furthest to the second event of the Golf Digest Middle East, in association with King’s College Hospital London, Amateur Series but he sure left Al Hamra Golf Club happiest.

The Abu Dhabi City G.C. member made the trek from the UAE capital to Ras Al Khamiah – with wife Amanda – well worth it when he captured the division A title (0-10 handicap) with 34 stableford points on September 30. The avid Springboks fan overcame sweltering conditions and Sean Kinsley by two points to depart with a pair of new Ecco shoes and a hospitality pass for the Thursday of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Kinsley’s consolation wasn’t too shabby either – hospitality on the Saturday of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, also in January.

Kyle Taggart won division B (11-24 handicap) with 36 stableford points from Byung Jin Woo (33 pts) while Ken Davies scored a weekend drive in a Mercedes, courtesy of series’ official lease parter, Autoroute, after winning the nearest-the-pin prize on Al Hamra’s picturesque 7th. For the record, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club member David Nabi, who features in the tweet below, made the biggest commitment to get to RAK.

Casper Schonfeldt, meanwhile, took the gross prize with a fine 78 given the energy-sapping conditions. His prize is an invite to the Kings College Hospital London-sponsored Golf Digest Middle East Classic, the series finale, at Emirates Golf Club on Oct.17. He will also return to the Majlis in Jan. after winning Saturday hospitality to the Desert Classic which will be headlined by the PGA Tour star Pat Perez.

Related: PGA Tour cult-hero Pat Perez to headline 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic

The 2017 Golf Digest Middle East Amateur Series decider will coincide with the official 100th our issue celebrations.

Related: Happy Anniversary to us!

The three-tournament series opened at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the home of the HSBC Championship, on September 21.

Related: See our photo gallery from Abu Dhabi

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