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.

If you’re also like us, you’re probably looking for ways to golf more for less in 2019 after another expensive silly season. Well, Dear Golfers of the UAE, we have an ace up our sleeve, or more specifically news of a discount card that will not only be conducive to your new year’s golfing resolutions.

ONE City Card is a single-purchase card that unlocks an array of benefits and discounts across Dubai and beyond, on everything from golf, to restaurants and bars and family days out.

Golf is our gig so we’ll focus on that, as well as the ONE City Card’s unlimited usage.

Unlike other discount schemes which offer a one-time only benefit, this little beauty can be used over and over again. That’s useful if you get beaten at one of the participating clubs below; next time invite a pal you know you have the upper hand over or keep playing and playing to exact priceless revenge, all the while saving money on green fees.

ONE has negotiated 2-4-1 deals off the rack green fee rate at the following clubs (the fine print – e.g. the cost of the ONE City Card which follows below and may surprise you):

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Designed by former Open winner Ian Baker-Finch, “the winner of the Gold Medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year” in 1991, Arabian Ranches is a golfers’ golf club. A strategic challenge which is scoreable if you keep it out of the sand, you’ll also enjoy one of the best post-game debriefs in the region.

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The Address Montgomerie Dubai

Thomas Wiberg tackles the treacherous par 5 18th at The Montgomerie.

Colin Montgomerie sadly missed the cut at the Desert Classic, but produced comedy gold in his press conference. The Dubai course carrying his name is class too. Take advantage of the generous fairways early because there are some potential card wreckers as your round progresses, none tougher than that water encased par-5 18th.

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JA The Resort Golf Course

Better known to most of us as Jebel Ali, Dubai’s pioneering 9-holer has undergone a transformation with UAE-based architect Peter Harradine re-doing the opening three holes. You can read all about the recent makeover of JA The Resort Golf Course here. We’re big fans of the now par-4, par-4, par-3 start which has added even more strategic challenge to an idyllic course with teeth. Luckily they have a new Leadbetter Golf Academy to help take the bite out of a testing layout. You might even pop into Desert Swing regular Rafa Cabrera Bello, the resort’s global ambassador, who is a regular on the driving range.

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Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club

Another Harradine Golf design, SGSC created history by becoming the first course in the world to host a main tour event, the Staysure Tour’s Sharjah Senior Masters. Picturesque and ever challenging, SGSC is well worth a trip north of Dubai’s border where you’ll find some of the friendliest members in the Middle East. Comes with free buggy and range access.

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The Track, Meydan Golf

Continuing the nine-hole, Peter Harradine-theme is The Track, Meydan Golf, a course previously voted the world’s best nine-holer. If there is a tougher opening hole in the Middle East than the Track’s par-5 1st, we haven’t played it. Bring a few spare balls for all the water that follows too; this is a stern but fair test that will keep you coming back. Score well on the Track and you can score well pretty much anywhere.

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Trump International Golf Club

ONE has also negotiated a great deal at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai which offers these preferential rates:

500 AED Weekend
450 AED Midweek
250 AED Twilight after 2pm (Weekdays only)
75 AED Par 3 Course

But that’s not all. ONE City Card is not all about the discount, it’s about the golf and starting on February 20 is ONE Golf Wednesdays. Hosted at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, 40 golfers can enjoy a 9-hole par-3 game followed by a thirst-quenching beverage and burger with prizes to accompany the event.

ONE Golf Wednesdays will be on a first booked-first-serve basis so get in quick. Here’s the details: 

Date : Every Wednesday, starting February 20
Time: 7pm shotgun start
Course: Par-3
Cost: 150 AED
Inclusions: One house beverage + Burger & Prizes

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THE ONE CITY CARD FINE PRINT
ONE card is priced at 100 AED for 12-months of unlimited access from the day you sign up, which means you’ll pay less than Dhs10 per month for access to heaps of discounts.

Or, if you sign up this February with the exclusive Golf Digest Middle East discount code, GDME50, and you’ll get 50 per cent off your annual membership – that’s just Dhs50 for 12 months of brilliant discounts.

Enjoy, bargain hunters!

Find out more and sign up now at onecitycard.com here

The post 2-for-1 golf? There’s only ONE discount card you need appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Whether you are looking forward to the standard two-day weekend or are lucky enough to have three or even four days off, here’s our guide to the best deals to get your golfing fix in the UAE this Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Best of all, the long weekend coincides with the second major of the year so you can retire to the club lounge after your round (or three) to enjoy the U.S. Open coverage from Shinnecock Hills.

Related: First and second round U.S. Open tee-times

Most clubs are also screening every match of the FIFA World Cup live from Russia. Come to think of it, you might end up spending the majority of the long weekend at the clubs below, with a few hours at home to recoup (and say hi to the family). For golfers, Eid weekend is going to be sporting bliss. Enjoy.

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Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club – AED 105!

What’s this? No, it’s WhatsApp and easily the golfing steal of the Eid weekend courtesy of the always innovative marketing team at SGSC. How about AED 105pp for 18 holes on the Staysure Tour (formerly European Senior Tour) course, or just AED 75pp for nine holes (minimum two players, or a fourball) when you book via SGSC’s WhatsApp number? Better still, the total green fees paid will be reimbursed if at least one member of your group joins SGSC’s summer golf membership on the day of play. That’s a crazy, crazy deal.

The WhatsApp number is +971 (0)56 2283649 – tell them Golf Digest Middle East sent you. And enjoy the U.S. Open and FIFA football – it goes without saying that one of the friendliest clubs in the UAE will have the big screens locked into the Eid weekend’s best sporting content.
golfandshootingshj.com

Trump International Golf Club, Dubai – from AED 250

Take it from us, Gil Hanse’s first Middle East design is in pristine nick despite the rising mercury. It makes the selected AED 250 green fees on Thursday and Sunday – and even the AED 300 pricing on Friday and Saturday – a steal. Visit trumpgolfdubai.com/tee-times for more and then stick around for the football. They’re promising an “electric atmosphere” at The Terrace restaurant which boasts a “mega” indoor screen. For all the details on sharing platters and beverage bucket deals, or to book a table, email: dining@trumpgolfdubai.com
trumpgolfdubai.com

The Els Club, Dubai – from AED 255

You’ll need to be quick to secure the Els Club’s best Eid weekend rate of AED 255 for tee-times between 10am and noon. There are also great prices outside this window via the Troon International App and all rounds booked online this weekend will score you a AED 50 retail voucher. You can also earn Troon reward points against all green fee and retail spend and take in the golf and the football in all of the club’s outlets:  TheBig Easy, Overlook Lounge and Atrium.
elsclubdubai.com

Al Hamra Golf Club, RAK – AED 225 throughout June!

The Troon International App is a handy application to have it seems. Not only is Al Hamra offering green fees from AED 225 throughout the Eid celebrations, the deal runs all month long. It’s some deal for a fully-fledged European Tour venue; test your game on the course set to host the Challenge Tour’s Road to Ras Al Khaimah finale, the aptly named Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, this coming October. And yes, it’s the place to watch all the golf and World Cup football you can handle too.
alhamragolf.com

Emirates Golf Club –  Play the EGC’s  U.S. Open Par 3 Championship from AED 175 + Special EID Sunday deal on the Majlis

Emirates G.C. is getting into major championship mood with its very own U.S. Open  Par-3 Championship on Thursday evening. The AED 175 entry fee gets you a tee time (at either 6.30pm & 8.15pm) on the club’s excellent academy course (we’re told there will be U.S. Open-esque fast greens and tight pin positions, so don’t say you haven’t been warned) plus a post-round buffet. Stay on for the OSN Sports 3HD golf coverage from Shinnecock Hills in the Spike Bar or alternatively check into Football Central, the club’s ‘Ultimate Fan Zone’ for the FIFA World Cup. Entry is free and there will be DJs playing after the footy.

You can also secure tee times on the Majlis from AED 525 and the Faldo AED 420 (before 4.05pm) over the holiday period. Our top tip is to upload the Golf Central App (App Store or Google Play) to avail 2-FOR-1 golf on the Majlis after 11am on Sunday; that is an absolute bargain for a two-ball on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic’s home course.
dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – Robbie Fowler, Par 3 Championship and AED 470 golf

Like its Dubai Golf sister club, The Creek is also hosting a U.S. Open Par-3 Championship, this time on Sunday with 6.30pm and 8pm shotgun starts. The AED 175 fee also includes a tasty feed, a BBQ buffet feast in the Academy Café.

The Creek are also embracing the start of Russia 2018 like no other, with former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler the star of a Q&A from 6.30pm on Thursday ahead of the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Open will be screened live in Lakeview from Thursday until the final putt Sunday while the Creeks weekend/public holiday tee time rate is AED 470.
dubaigolf.com/dubai-creek-golf-yacht-club

The Track, Meydan Golf

Book online at Meydangolf.com for rounds between between 11am-3pm and you’ll get the best 18-hole and 9-hole rates at the Peter Harradine-designed 9-holer – and that price guarantee extends beyond EID. The kicker is a special replay rate; book within 24 hours of your original tee time and pay again at 50% off.

Don’t forget the Track’s Unlimited Summer Wildcard either. It offers golf seven days a week (day and floodlit) with unlimited access to the course, driving range and practice facilities. Check it out here: Track Wildcard
meydangolf.com

The Address Montgomerie, Dubai – Footgolf anyone?

They’re doing golf things with a twist at the Monty to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup. Simply wear the football shirt of your home nation to avail 2 for 1 footgolf during the World Cup – that’s a sweet AED 60pp. After you’ve dazzled your mates with your skills, let the pros go to work as you enjoy special themed la carte menu, 2 for 1 offers on selected hop beverages and pre- and post-game happy hours taking in the real football on the big screens.
Call 043 631 208 or email academyreception@themontgomerie.ae

Yas Links – From AED 250pp if you book a fourball

For lovers of links-style golf, it gets no better in the UAE than Yas Links and their June fourball deals are hard to beat – and run through the Eid weekend break.

Pay AED 1000 per fourball on Thursday and Sunday and just AED 1300 on Friday and Saturday.  You also have until Friday to take advantage of their intriguing Pro Shop offer; spend AED 750 or more on TaylorMade and/or Adidas kit and receive the full amount back in green fee vouchers if any of Jason Day, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods of Jon Rahm wins the U.S. Open. That’s pretty good odds if you ask us.
yaslinks.com

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club & Abu Dhabi Golf Club – Summer Scorecard

Book online and have your loyalty rewarded at the Abu Dhabi sister clubs. Play two rounds on the weekend or three on weekdays and receive a complimentary round. Valid June 5–August 31 with T&Cs. For bookings email golfdesk@adgolfclub.ae or golfreservation@adgolfclub.ae

Abu Dhabi Golf Club – Golf with Robbie Fowler this Saturday!

There’s still time to get in on a golf-football bonanza at the home of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship involving Kop legend Robbie Fowler.

For AED 995, you get 27 holes of golf – including three with the former England and Liverpool star himself  – on Saturday, June 16 (7am shotgun start) followed by an exclusive gathering at The Grille Restaurant with one-hour canapes and beverages. You then get to join an afternoon brunch (AED 395pp without golf) hosted by Fowler in ADGC’s dedicated Global Football Fan Zone, an ideal place to watch the World Cup all tournament long.

Abu Dhabi G.C. are also offering two complimentary beverages in the fan zone for every round of golf booked on the club’s Garden Course between June 14-July 15.
adgolfclub.com

The post The UAE’s best Eid green fees – golf the long weekend from as little as AED 105! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
It has been quite the month for Nathan Fisher and an even better year for his beloved Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club (SGSC).

The 33-year-old South African did the small club with big ambitions proud by winning the 36-hole Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in early May, edging JGE teen Arjun Gupta in a sudden death playoff for his maiden EGF title after a run of near misses.

Related: Fisher chalks one up for the ‘old guys’ at EGF Championship

Fisher survived another nerve-jangling playoff to land an even bigger title for the little 9-hole club that could at the weekend as SGSC overcame regional superpower and perennial title contenders Emirates Golf Club in the UAE Scratch League Final.

The two-day decider went to sudden death after the honours where shared on the Majlis 2-2 and the Peter Harradine-designed Sharjah layout, also 2-2, in regulation play, making it 4-4. SGSC opted for Fisher (+3.3 handicap) and Chinese 15-year-old Zi (William) Ang Xu (+0.6 handicap) to face former touring professional Mike Mezei (+3.8) and Kenny Babcock (+2.5) in overtime. It was some matchup with Fisher and Xu unbeaten all season and the Emirates G.C. duo flawless in the Grand Final.

“Miracle” par saves from Babcock and Mezei, the former from sand and the latter from water, kept Emirates GC in it on the 1st and 2nd respectively before the quartet halved the 3rd, again in pars.

Fisher then produced the telling blow, his 4-iron from 220 yards finding the back of the 553-yard par-5, 4th at Sharjah. The four-time SGSC champion rolled the ensuing 30-footer to three feet and then held his nerve to clinch the title before a rowdy crowd of nearly 50.

SGSC Director of Golf, Martin Duff, singled out Fisher and Xu, who only made his debut for the team in January, for special praise afterwards.

“I am extremely proud of everyone involved but the way our two players played the four playoff holes really was quite incredible and I really do believe they deserved the win,” said Duff.

The victory capped a memorable season for SGSC which celebrated its 10th anniversary in March with a second successful staging of the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters, the only tour event played on a 9-hole course. The Staysure Tour (formerly European Senior Tour) season-opener was won by Thai Thaworn Wiratchant.

Related: Wiratchant wins Sharjah Senior Golf Masters in dramatic playoff

“The golf course turned 10 years old at the start of March and to have won a title like the UAE Scratch League, beating much bigger clubs with much bigger memberships really is something for everyone involved to be extremely proud of,“ Duff continued.

SGSC had earlier edged Abu Dhabi Golf Club in their Scratch League semifinal while Emirates overcame Dubai Golf sister club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, to reach the final.

The post Fisher helps Sharjah hook maiden UAE Scratch League title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
At 33, Nathan Fisher is not exactly ancient in amateur golfing terms but, boy, he’s felt like it at times on the Emirates Golf Federation circuit this season.

The South African has had a front row seat as 14-year-old Josh Hill waltzed away with the EGF Order-of-Merit (OOM) title by winning seven of the tour’s 14 events and rattling off course records at Trump (65) and The Track (68) in the process. If it wasn’t Hill, it was Arjun Gupta or Toby Bishop, also both just 14 and second and third respectively in the OOM standings, highlighting the changing of the guard after 50-something Steven Kelbrick won the season-long crown last year.

Inspired by the scary new level of competition, Fisher kept toiling away – he was second to Hill at Trump – and finally had his reward Saturday when he clinched the 36-hole EGF OOM Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Unsurprisingly, the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club +3-handicapper he had beat the young whippersnappers to triumph, edging Gupta in the second hole of sudden death in a playoff eventual bronze medallist Hill (75-74) would also have made but for a lipped out four-footer on the last hole of regulation.

Related: Captain Smith wins UAE PGA Matchplay title, eyes Dubai Trophy

“Just to come through, I’m over the moon,” said Fisher before reflecting on his competition. “I played with Arjun and Josh and I’m thinking, they’re 28 together. I’m 33…I feel so old. It’s so good to see so many young players playing now and playing well. Josh, he’s unbelievable and Arjun and Toby, I mean, my gosh, they’re the top three in the OOM and they’re all under 15.

“If I’m honest, I’ve been in the UAE for seven years now and it’s good to have that competition. They’ve given me that drive again for competitive golf.”

2017-2018 EGF Order-of-Merit winners

It certainly feels a long time ago since Fisher helped Iowa’s Indian Hills Community College to second place in the 2005 NJCAA (National Junior Community College Amateur Athletics Association) Division 1 Golf Championship. But the Durban boy rekindled some of his old magic at JGE, backing up an opening 78 with a classy two-under 70 in difficult conditions off the “DP World Tour Championship tees” on Saturday. Gupta had to get up and down on the last to make the playoff on 148 (73-75) but back-to-back bogeys on the par-5 18th in extra time gave Fisher his opening; the adidas golf rep duly closed the door with a par at the second time of asking.

The win sealed a call-up to this weekend’s Dubai Trophy, the first time Fisher has made the amateur team. He can’t wait for the Ryder Cup style matches against the UAE PGA’s finest on the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club on Saturday and Dubai Creek next Sunday.

“I’ve heard so many good things about the Dubai Trophy from amateurs and pros. People say it’s the best event to play in the UAE so I’m so excited to make the team…hopefully it will be the amateurs three years in a row,” said Fisher.

Natalii Gupta in full flight.
Photo/EGF

While Arjun Gupta suffered heartache in the playoff, his sister Natalii (Emirates G.C.) celebrated success in the open ladies championship, rounds of 76-78 giving her a championship total of 154 and a four stroke victory over The Els Club’s Katie Bibby (81–77). Sara Engsig (83-82) was third on 165.

Bradley Mogire won the combined junior boys and girls title with impressive rounds of 76-74 for a 150 total, two shots clear of junior OOM champion Max Cashmore (JGE, 75-77). Niklas Korjonen was third with scores of 78-77 for a 155 total.

Junior champion Bradley Mogire.

The post Fisher chalks one up for the ‘old guys’ at EGF Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 51-year-old Thai made it back-to-back Staysure Tour wins when he out-lasted American Clark Dennis and Australia Peter Fowler in extra time that went so long they had to switch on the floodlights at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

“I have never played under floodlights before so that was a new challenge for me,” said the former Asian Tour player who backed up his victory at the season-ending MBC Championship in Mauritius last December.

“Hopefully, I can kick on from here and really concentrate on the year ahead. The pin positions were really difficult today compared to the first two days so it was a real challenge out there. I had to be patient in the playoff as we were all hitting good shots every time we played the hole so I needed to keep my focus and wait for my chance. I just knew I had to get the win.

“I look forward to returning to Sharjah next year to defend my title. This is a great start to my season on the 2018 Staysure Tour.”

The team at SGSC also hope to cash in on the success of the second staging of the Staysure Tour event. Staysure Tour CEO Savid MacLaren led the praise for the $425,000 tournament that remains the only main tour event to be played on a nine-hole course. In a new development, Kiwi superintendent Marty Brown cut two different pins for the final day, offering another challenge on the Peter Harradine-designed layout presented in pristine condition.

“I didn’t think it was possible to be as excited about this year’s Sharjah Senior Golf Masters as last year but I actually was,” said MacLaren. “The reaction of everybody involved in the event, and in particularly the players, makes you realise that we’ve done something well.”

Said Staysure chairman Ryan Howsam: “What a brilliant week we have had here at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. The condition of the course was absolutely fantastic and the players that played on it were superb.

“It was great watching the last group today; they hardly made any mistakes so it was great to see such a spectacle. I’m over the aged of 50 now so from my point of view I would love to be able to do what these players can. From a business point of view, our main focus is on the over 50s market and this is obviously an over 50s Tour so the connection between the two just makes perfect sense. This is such a great launching platform for Staysure.”

The next Staysure Tour stop is not until May but it is literally major, the KitchenAid U.S. Senior PGA Championship in Michigan from May 24-27. The next European stop is the Shipco Masters in Denmark from June 1-3.

The post Watch Wiratchant survive a four-hole playoff to claim the Staysure Tour season-opener at SGSC appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Thai edged reigning Staysure Tour order of merit champion Clark Dennis with a tap-in par on Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s 18th hole at the fourth time of asking after Australian Peter Fowler had been eliminated after a bogey on the first hole of the playoff which finished under lights.

It was Wiratchant’s second successive European Seniors win after he captured the season-ending MBC Tour Championship Mauritius last December.

WINNER: Thaworn Wiratchant wins the 2018 Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq with par on the fourth extra hole #SharjahSGM pic.twitter.com/w5qUYCKoW2

— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 10, 2018

Dennis and Wiratchant started the final round at -11 with a shot buffer over Fowler but could only manage 71s to the Australian’s 69.

Fowler bogeyed the penultimate hole to give up a lead he held for much of the final round and then cruelly watched a birdie attempt on the final hole for victory lip out. Dennis, meanwhile, holed a eight-footer for birdie on the 54th hole to make it a three-way playoff at -12.

Fowler’s heartache was complete as he then three-putted from 45-feet in the first hole of sudden death to be eliminated as Wiratchant coolly saved par from the left-hand trap courtesy of a nerve jangling 10-footer and Dennis two-putted for his par from the back fringe.

On their second trip down the 18th hole in overtime, Wiratchant had the best chance but a similar length putt to the one he holed at the first time of asking slide by and the par went back down the 18th for a third time, this time with the help of SGSC’s floodlights.

They traded pars again to extend the playoff to a fourth hole before Wiratchant’s par got the job done.

The post Wiratchant wins Sharjah Senior Golf Masters in dramatic playoff appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Clark Dennis has company atop the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters leaderboard in Thaworn Wiratchant while decorated Australian Peter Fowler went crazy low on Friday to cling onto their coattails heading into the final round of the Staysure Tour season-opener.

The trio are grouped together in the final threesome of what shapes as an absorbing Saturday shootout at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club. They’re off at 12.55pm with South African James Kingston, at -7 after second round 68, looking the only other player capable of challenging the frontrunners at the $425,000 event.

Wiratchant made the decisive early move on moving day, a bogey-free 65 allowing the Thai to set the early clubhouse target at -11.

Reigning Staysure Tour order of merit champion and overnight leader Dennis joined him after  overcoming a bogey start to sign for a 68 while Fowler eagled the par-5 15th (with a chip-in) for the second successive day en-route to an eight-under 64, the new SGSC course record.

Fowler is on -9 and must be ruing his double-bogey finish in an opening 71. Still, the 58-year-old has the pedigree – five Staysure Tour titles – to ensure Dennis and Wiratchant will sweat on their lead.

“I was a long way behind after some good scores this morning, and Clark was pretty hot as well. I had to put something good together today, which I did, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” said Fowler.

Fowler on fire.

The Australian sank this birdie putt for an eight under par round of 64 and the new course record at @SharjahGolf #SharjahSGM. He’s just two strokes behind the leaders on nine under par. pic.twitter.com/tIBXi5FZhH

— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 9, 2018

Texan Dennis, 52, won twice last season but Wiratchant won more recently at the season ending MBC Tour Championship in Mauritius last December.

“My round today was great because I seemed to have control with all my shots,” said Wiranchat afterwards.

Clark Dennis.
Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images.

“I love it here in Sharjah because the weather is hot like Thailand and the course is in exceptional condition. It was easier today because there was less wind and the pin position was better. I came here with no expectations so to be joint-leader going into the final round, I’m very happy.”

Wiratchant equals the course record with this birdie on the last, signing for a seven under par 65 and an 11 under par total #SharjahSGM.

The Thai leads by four strokes. pic.twitter.com/QWdp1j817x

— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 9, 2018

Dennis rattled off three birdies in his next five holes after the bogey start and then traded a bogey on the 9th with three further birdies.

“I played some good golf again today but it was definitely more of a struggle than yesterday,” said the former PGA Tour player.

“I didn’t quite have the ‘A’ game but I still managed to hit some good shots on the back nine which gave me a couple of birdies so I’m really glad that I got to 11 under par heading into the final day. Tomorrow is a new day and everyone is going to be looking for those birdies.

“I don’t think that anyone will be trying to protect anything so it should be a low scoring day. Hopefully I can come out tomorrow and execute my game plan and make a few putts.”

Spaniard Martin Miguel Angel and Englishman Philip Golding, meanwhile, complete the top five on six under par after rounds of 70 of 68.

Amateur players Steven Kelbrick and Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s Amir Al Naimi carded rounds of 76 and 78 respectively as they once again battled with some of the biggest names of the past. Dubai-based Brit Kelbrick goes into the final round on seven over par with Iranii Al Naimi on eight over.

Incredible diversity on the Staysure Tour. Eight players from seven countries representing six continents inside the top seven on the #SharjahSGM leaderboard.

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— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 9, 2018

The post Wiratchant joins Dennis atop Sharjah leaderboard as course record 64 fires Fowler into the mix appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The European Senior Tour might have started the new season with a fresh name, but it’s clear Clark Dennis hasn’t changed one bit.

Dennis started the new Staysure Tour season where he left off last season as order of merit champion, a sizzling 65 earning the 52-year-old Texan a sizeable lead on the opening day of the 2nd Sharjah Senior Golf Masters. The American’s bogey-free seven under loop of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club will see him start Friday’s second round with a three shot buffer over Thai Thaworn Wiratchant, Englishman Philip Golding and Frenchman Marc Farry.

Related: Dennis a happily marked man in Sharjah

Peter Baker (England) and South African James Kingston are a further shot back after 69s.

“It’s great, I played very nicely today, didn’t make a bogey and I think I only missed one green,” Dennis said afterwards.

“It was a pretty stress-free round, I hit a lot of good shots and could have been a few lower. First group out, I was honoured to be able to hit the first shot of the new Staysure Tour, it was perfect conditions, not a breath of wind for nine holes. The greens are perfect and the course is in phenomenal condition. It was there to be had. It’s a good place to be, at the top of the leaderboard…that’s certainly my preference.”

An historic moment this morning as Clark Dennis struck the first tee shot of the Staysure Tour era #SharjahSGM pic.twitter.com/YM7F5UjHCO

— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 8, 2018

Defending champion Chris Williams (South Africa) opened with an even par 72 while Dubai-based amateur Steven Kelbrick signed for a three-over 75.

Related: Meet the Dubai amateur aiming for a play date with Tom Watson…via Sharjah

A third consecutive birdie for Clark Dennis and the American moves to five under par, one stroke ahead of Peter Fowler who eagled the 15th #SharjahSGM pic.twitter.com/kwB6hQjQn4

— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 8, 2018

The post Clark Dennis resumes where he left off last season, leads Sharjah Senior Golf Masters with a 65 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.