While the two other par 5s at AESGC offer birdie opportunities, the 10th, in stark contrast, more than lives up to its billing as stroke index 1. Even more skilled golfers will gladly take a par here and run to the 11th. From the hole’s length, to the various bunkers in play from the tee, to second shots and regulation approaches that must avoid the large lake guarding the front and the right side of the green, there is no let-up when you arrive at the hole we dub “the Beast in the East”.

Tee shot: Finding the fairway is the first challenge as any drive finishing in the rough, or even worse, the sandy waste area, will put you on the back foot for the rest of the hole. The landing area is relatively generous but as you approach 300 yards off the tee it starts to narrow so big hitters need to keep that in mind. The right of the fairway will lead to a better angle for your second shot; anything left will prove more difficult.

Second shot: If the fairway has been found off the tee, the next task is to move your second shot down the hole as far as possible. The two strategically placed fairway bunkers will be in your mind and both need to be avoided if you want a chance of hitting the green in regulation. Hugging the left side of the fairway is the prudent play as anything right will leave you a long carry over the water.

Approach: Even after two good blows you are going to have a mid-iron into the green. Hopefully, you are on the left side of the hole to make your line to the green a safer one that doesn’t require a carry over the lake. Anything coming up short or right is going to see you reaching into your bag for another ball. Missing in
the greenside bunker is not the worse play.

Finishing off: The green is generous in size and slopes steeply from back to front. If you find yourself just off the putting surface short of the green, be positive chipping into the up slope. Conversely, if you end up over the green don’t get caught out by the speed of the green when chipping or pitching from the back, as your ball can easily run further than you had imagined.

Once on the green, you still need to keep your concentration as the subtle breaks can lead to three putts. For a long putt, concentrate on lagging it close and avoiding a card wrecker. Par here is more than acceptable. – with Kent Gray

BE AT 1 SERIES:
Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at The Els Club Dubai
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Tower Links Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Tame the 7th, stroke index 1, at Dubai Hills Golf Club
Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Tame the 13th, stroke index 1, at Al Zorah Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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By Kent Gray
After shutting down the professional game globally almost overnight, the coronavirus pandemic is now starting to impact golf at the club level across the UAE.

The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) on Monday announced the postponement of its season-ending EGF Order of Merit (OOM) Championship at Al AIn Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club next month. The 54-hole event, which carries official World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, was scheduled for April 9-11 and the EGF hope it can be rescheduled later this year.

RELATED: Can You Play Golf Amid Coronavirus Concerns? With Proper Precautions, Yes

The EGF has also advised clubs, on the directive of the UAE’s General Authority of Sports, to postpone the remaining regular-season EGF OOM events; ladies tournaments at The Els Club Dubai (March 20) and Jumeirah Golf Estates (March 21) have postponement notices on the EGF website already while men’s opens at Yas Links Abu Dhabi (March 20-21) and Al Ain are likely to follow suit. With the General Authority of Sports prohibiting golf for under 18s UAE wide, the Dubai Creek Junior Open on March 27 has also been postponed indefinitely.

Club events and casual rounds for golfers over 18 continue but Golf Digest Middle East has learned clubs have been tasked with regular sterilising of carts, locker rooms, wellness areas and sporting/gym equipment. Given the global move towards social distancing, more restrictions seem inevitable.

The EGF decision comes hot on the heels of the postponement of this week’s scheduled Aramco Saudi Ladies International due to the temporary ban on international flights into the Kingdom. As early as March 5, the Middle East’s tightening travel restrictions prompted the MENA Tour to delay the second half of the regional men’s Pro-Am development circuit until Sept.-Dec. 

Due to the ongoing CoVid 19 precautionary measures the EGF Order of Merit Championship scheduled for 9th-11th April has been postponed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/hNQnv7AZez

— Emirates Golf Fed. (@EGFuaegolf) March 16, 2020

The EGF is working in tandem with the General Authority of Sports as the UAE ramps up efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s always a tough decision to postpone an event and especially an event that gives players of all ages and genders the opportunity to collect World Amatur Golf Ranking points and showcase their achievements throughout the golf season,” the EGF said in a statement.

“With the ongoing precautionary measures for the CoVid-19 virus, we feel that it is best to postpone the event for all players health and safety. We hope that in due time, things will get back to normal and we can finish the 2019 – 2020 golf season on a positive note.”

This is a breaking story. More to follow…

The post EGF Championship postponed as COVID-19 pandemic begins impacting Middle East club scene appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 15-year-old MENA Tour regular is one of 70 players from 18 countries set to contest the 54-hole decider, one of junior golf’s most coveted events which is again being personally hosted by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo.

RELATED: Gupta’s Faldo Series triumph shows he’s far from the third Musketeer

Gupta qualified for finale after clinching the Faldo Series Middle East title in style, negotiating the same but then windswept Abu Dhabi layout in three-under-par in late March to win the under-16 title by nine shots from fellow Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Academy star Toby Bishop and the overall title by two shots from Ziang Xu, the under-18 division champion.

Arjun Gupta

Gupta is flanked by Matthew Faldo and AESGC club captain Anton Van Schalkwyk after winning the Faldo Series Middle East title in March to qualify for this week’s Europe Grand Final.

Since the European Series opened at Al Ain in March, more than 2,000 players have competed across 20 qualifying events around the world. Five respective age group and gender category winners will be crowned on Thursday and Faldo won’t be surprised if a new star or two are unearthed at Al Ain.

Rory McIlroy, European Tour stars Jordan Smith and Eddie Pepperell and Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour player Melissa Reid are former Faldo Series graduates in a series designed to aid the development of the world’s best juniors through elite competition and grow the game by staging events in less-established golfing nations.

“I’ve kept a close eye on scoring this year, and from some of the numbers posted in qualifying, I think we may have one of the most talented classes yet. I’m looking forward to meeting the competitors and welcoming them to Al Ain,” the 62-year-old Englishman said.

Gupta is in the final threesome out in Tuesday’s opening round at 10.55 am UAE time.

Also in the field are Taiwanese junior Chang Hsin Chiao, who will be aiming to follow her Asia victory with another at the Europe Grand Final. Pavol Mach, winner of the Slovakia Championship at Black Stork Golf Resort which celebrated its 10th Faldo Series anniversary this year, will also compete at Al Ain, alongside Jordan Duminy, this year’s newly crowned South Africa Champion and upcoming Junior Presidents Cup player.

The Faldo Series, in its 23rd year overall and boast 40 events in more than 30 countries, also celebrated 10-year anniversaries in Germany and Czech Republic this year.

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club takes centre stage for Faldo Series Europe Grand Final

“The Faldo Series dates back to 1996, the year of my sixth and final major,” said Faldo. “That summer, I unveiled a new concept designed to give talented juniors more chances to play in elite competitions, and I’m so proud of how it’s grown to become one of the stand-out events for junior golfers.

“We set out to create an event that all juniors would want, and aspire, to play. One that could prove to be an important role in their development, along with sharpening up their competitive mindset and preparing them for the future challenges they might face in trying to make it in professional golf.

“I think we’re well on our way to achieving our goals with the Series and in the last 23 years we’ve seen some truly great players come through the ranks.”

The post Dubai teen Arjun Gupta big local hope as Al Ain hosts Faldo Series Europe finale appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 14-year-old Englishman came within a whisker of the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club course record as a 62 saw him stretch a two-stroke overnight lead into an emphatic six shot defence of his Faldo Series Middle East Championship title on Thursday.

Related: Justin Parsons rates Hill and the other leading lights from Al Ain

Hill won the U-16 crown by four strokes last March and was even more impressive in his defence as a bogey-free eight under loop threatened the 61 carded by Brazilian Herik Machado at the Faldo Series’ European Grand Final at Al Ain before Christmas.

It saw Hill finish an astonishing -14 for the 54 hole event and lead a Jumeirah Golf Estates sweep of the U-16 and overall podium with Arjun Gupta (India) and Toby Bishop (Wales) sharing second on -8 after closing rounds of 66. The trio’s Butch Harmon School of Golf Dubai pal Krishiv Tekchandani rounded out the top four on -1 after recovering from a three-over opening round 73 with back-to-back 68s.

There was further joy in the Gupta family with Arjun’s sister Natalii roaring to victory in the girls division with a stunning closing round of 66 to pip England’s Billie-Jo Smith by a shot.

But the spotlight was justifiably on Hill who came into the week on the back of a runner-up finish at the Faldo Series Asian Grand Final and three successive Emirates Golf Federation Open Men’s wins at JGE, Abu Dhabi and Trump Dubai, the latter sealed with a course record 65. But that, it turns out, is only half the story.

“It’s been good, I’ve won six of the last seven tournaments I’ve played,” Hill said matter-of-factly.

“I went to the Asian final, that was a great experience, a great course [the Faldo designed-Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam], so I want to get back there, hopefully qualify for that one again.”

Hill will get that chance in November when AESGC again hosts the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final, from which the winners will return to Vietnam.

“I played solid [all week],” he continued. “I played well today obviously but I didn’t hit my driver great but when I was out of position I got back into position and managed to make up and downs so my short game was on point.”

Also on point this week has been the friendly rivalry with Gupta and Bishop with whom Hill played the final 36 holes.

“Yeah, they really good friends. It was fun playing with them and it was fun seeing them playing well as well. Good fun.”

For a clear illustration of just how well Hill and his JGE mates played, know that Denmark’s Mikkel Mathieson was fifth overall and that was good enough to win the U-18 division by six strokes over Italian Sasha Sparacino.

India’s Arkesh Bhatia closed with an impressive 67 to win the U-21 men’s title with a +4 aggregate, 13 strokes ahead of UAE national team player Abdullah Al Qubaisi who slipped with a Wednesday 76.

Even Sir Nick Faldo, the six-time major champion, was impressed by Hill.

“My thanks to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on another successful Middle East Championship in Al Ain. Congratulations to all the winners and in particular Josh who is on an incredible run of form of late winning all over the UAE.

“Having played the course myself I know first hand how great the conditioning of the course is and such an experience AESGC has to offer. It was great to have such an international field for the event with 19 nationalities represented, such a global reach is something the Faldo Series is very proud to have. I look forward to meeting the winners in November at AESGC personally, our new European Grand Final home.”

The post Josh Hill flirts with Al Ain course record, settles for 62 to waltz Faldo Series event by six shots appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club head pro half-pie expects to wake up from this “surreal” dream but it’s real and it’s “crazy” cool. Buchanan really did qualify for the Desert Swing opener via a reinstated UAE PGA qualifier at Saadiyat Beach G.C. before Christmas and he really will tee it up in the $3 million event Thursday in the company of England’s Paul Waring and Ricardo Gouevia of Portugal.

Related: Buchanan on qualifying for Abu Dhabi’s European Tour stop: ‘It’s just bonkers’

“It’s just mental, crazy, still crazy,” said the Scotsman who celebrated his 38th birthday on Tuesday and is sure to have vocal local galleries in tow when he sets off from the 1st tee at 12.55pm.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, just being about everything. I managed to get myself in the group photo which is a keepsake for life and the nine holes with Stevie on Monday was amazing. I don’t know if it’s not hit me yet that I’m actually in the tournament but I’ve somehow managed to keep myself reality calm. Hopefully that continues throughout the week.”

Buchanan is fourth from right in the fourth row in his keepsake “Class of 2018” pic.

Gallacher offered invaluable strategic insight, particularly when to attack the scoreable par 5s and when to favour a more conservative approach. Buchanan has used a few solo circuits to sure up his wedge work around the greens and putting on them in anticipation of keeping his rounds going.

“The rough is pretty juicy so if you miss the fairway you pretty much have to lay up because you can’t get enough club on the ball. So I’ve been working on lay ups, feeling comfortable hitting those par saver shots.”

Making the cut is the goal and Buchanan knows he’s capable despite the heady company he’s keeping this week.

“I was talking to [Dubai-based coach to the stars] Justin Parsons and he said the only person stopping me from shooting 70 is me.,no body else. There’s no referee saying I can’t shoot 70. Those words hit me. If I go out and play like I know I can, who knows what’s in store for me.

“I’ve been hitting it well in practice, hitting the driver well so the chance of being here over the weekend is actually possible if I can just stay in control of myself.”

Buchanan knows he’ll probably have to play “33 holes of the best golf of my life” to make the weekend but can’t lose either way.

“It’s just surreal, those names around me in the locker room, but they’re all human. Everyone has been very good, very nice and helped me stay pretty relaxed. If I do make the cut, then great. If not, it will still be an unbelievable experience.”

Photo: Masam Ali (Motivate)

The post Al Ain club pro Tom Buchanan living the dream at Desert Swing opener appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Cashing-in on a simple set-up tweak and a Trump International Golf Club, Dubai layout that suits his eye, big-hitting Munro triumphed 3&2.

“Funnily enough, Rory gave me a lesson last week. I was starting to get a bit lax with my set-up which he fixed and now I’ve started to get comfortable with the change,” Munro said. “I’m sure he doesn’t regret it [the lesson], well maybe a little. But no, he’s a good lad.”

The victory means the UAE PGA’s two most prestigious trophies now have pride of place on the Munro mantelpiece, at least until Monday when the Abu Dhabi-based professional attempts to defend his Tour Championship title over two days and 36-holes of strokeplay at Al Zorah in Ajman.

“It’s great to win the matchplay for my first time. I wanted the double, not many have achieved that,” Munro said.

“I have managed to get the semis a couple of times only to be beaten by birdies and eagles and stuff on the last so to go the extra hurdle is very pleasing. I’ve been fortunate to play some good golf over the last year and I’m delighted to win both flagship events the UAE PGA has to offer.”

Munro enjoyed a walkover win earlier Tuesday when Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Thomas Henderson was forced to forfeit their semifinal with a finger injury.

Young was “two or three under par” when he ousted defending matchplay champion Callum Nicoll (Abu Dhabi GC) 3&2 in the other semifinal but was on the back foot early in the decider – three down through three – and couldn’t conjure up any of his morning magic.

He got it back to two down on the par 4 4^th, but a bogey five on the tough 7^th saw Munro stretch out to 3up. Young won the 10^th to reduce Munro’s buffer to two holes once again before the 11^th proved the pivotal hole of the final.

Rory Young and Steven Munro ahead of the final. Photos courtesy Luke Plump/Trump International GC, Dubai

Young opted for an iron off the tee on the par 4 and wedged to 12 feet. Munro took driver and watched his ball fall off the left edge of the driveable green, leaving a delicate chip which he was happy to leave just outside Young’s ball. He then holed the birdie putt, Young missed and was again three down. Munro birdied 14^th, gave that hole back with a poor tee shot on the 15^th but was soon shaking hands when he laser beamed a 111-yard approach to three inches on the 16^th.

“My approach in the final was to try and play solid golf, not make any mistakes and see if that forced Rory into mistakes. Going three up through three allowed me to concentrate on fairways and greens and Rory would be the first to admit he didn’t play his best in the final,” Munro said.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve played Trump since it opened. I like to give it a bit of a smack [off the tee] and with the fairways being quite generous, it gave me the chance to play to my strength. I’m pretty comfortable there and that made the final pretty uneventful.”

It was Munrio’s second win of the UAE PGA Tour season after a recent win at Arabian Ranches. With eight other second or T2 placings, Munro is second on the order of merit heading into next week’s Tour Championship.

However, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club professional Cennydd Mills has won five times this season and could yet take an unassailable lead into Al Zorah once the standings are recalculated.

Mills boosted his lead atop the standings with a 68 for second place in Monday’s penultimate strokeplay event at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, two shots adrift of hometown winner Tom Buchanan.

“Cen finished second at Al Ain so is probably too far ahead even though the Matchplay and the Tour Championship carry 50 percent extra points weighting. I’m probably too far behind but we’ll see.”

The post Steven Munro completes the UAE PGA Matchplay-Tour Championship double with victory over, and thanks to, Rory Young appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.