Rushika takes Tommy Fleetwood Junior Medal
The Tommy Fleetwood Academy hosted the fourth round of its Junior Monthly Medal — a nine-hole individual strokeplay format on the Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Fire Course — with Alexander Rushika taking top spot with a 37 gross score.
In the net division, Aaayan Khanna winning on a count-back over Milana Rozhko.

Steve Kelbrick Towers above in RAK
Long-time supporter of the Men’s Open at Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah, Steve Kelbrick claimed his third crown over a strong field in the final round of the Emirate Golf Federation Order of Merit for 2022-2023. Kelbrick’s 36-hole total of 141 kept him on top ahead of Simon Dunn (144).
In the net division, Nikhil Bhatia won ahead of Dominic Morton.

Sivadas breaks his Sharjah duck
Balsajith Sivadas claimed his first Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club monthly medal with a score of four-under, denying runner-up Sami Butt. Third place went to Paul Nancarrow.

O’Toole wins JGE Masters
JJ O’Toole won this year’s JGE Masters over 100-strong field in the Stableford event over the Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Fire Course. Patrick Walton took second place, just ahead of James Harrison on a countback. JGE Club Champion David Bainbridge triumphed in the Gross category with a one-under 71.

Parambath powers to Ramadan Midweek Open title
The SGSC Ramadam Midweek Open was grabbed in imperious fashion by Shajeer Parambath who racked up an impressive 45 stableford points in the shotgun evening event. The gross division was won by Purna Sharma.

Karim Masters the Dubai Creek tournament
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club celebrated the annual Augusta National competition by hosting its Masters Sunday tournament. With 82 golfers taking part, Karim Benbouzyane emerged as the winner of the individual strokeplay on four-under. Srivinas Chivukula was the runner-up on two-under.

The post The Gulf Club: All the latest golf news from around the UAE and beyond appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The drive from the 4th green to the 5th tee gives you time to contemplate the task ahead as you enter the “Green Mile”, a stretch of three holes under the road comprising two par 5’s and a long par 4. The par-5 5th, which thoroughly warrants its stroke index 1 status, poses a challenge to even the most skilled players. At no point can you allow your concentration to waiver. Depending on the tee box you are playing from, the first task is to select a line from the tee which allows you to carry the mangroves which hug the entire right side of the hole. The sensible play is towards one of the bunkers on the left side of the fairway, reducing the risk of a re-loaded tee shot. Care must be taken to ensure the bunker just over the mangrove does not catch your tee shot leaving a long lay-up shot. Longer hitters can use the “twin towers” in the distance as a guide. Thread them with your drive and it offers an opportunity for the longer hitters to take on a very risky second to a well-protected green. Normally the prevailing wind is straight into your face and must be considered when deciding your line, regardless of which tee you peg it up from.

Decisions, Decisions
Once you are in play off the tee, focus turns to a second shot into a tight landing area. Beware the water on the left which runs from 150 yards out all the way to the green. On the right side there is a large sandy waste area and mangroves beyond waiting to swallow your ball. The braver you are will dictate the length of the third shot where pinpoint accuracy is key. Anything short or left will catch water. Should you carry but not hit the green a steep run off onto a speed zone will catch your ball. To the right and long of the green are small bunkers. These present a very scary shot heading back towards the speed zone and water.

Clever Closing
The green offers a number of great pin positions. Take care wherever it is cut as the green slopes from back to front. The clever design often sees those generating a lot of spin finding themselves bringing the speed zone in to play by spinning the ball off the green, especially with left sided pin positions. The toughest pin position is back right on a small shelf surrounded by subtle breaks.

This really is a hole not to get greedy on. The 5th at Tower Links can bite but also offer a good chance of birdie providing you stick to a plan. Always remember you still have two tough holes ahead as you complete the first phase of the “Green Mile” so use your handicap allowance wisely. — 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 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 10th, stroke index 1, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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By Joy Chakravarty
Sweden’s Niclas Weiland, in his first season as a professional, made the most of his invite from the MENA Tour by Arena to win the Ras Al Khaimah Open after making an eagle on the first playoff hole against close friend and roommate Gabriel Axell on Wednesday.

At Tower Links Golf Club, the 24-year-old Weiland was solid throughout the round playing in the leader group for a five-under par 67, which helped him match the 17-under par 199 clubhouse lead set by Axell after a storming final round of eight-under par 64.

Two European Challenge Tour stars, Scotland’s Scott Henry (70) and Switzerland’s Marco Iten (69) were tied for the third place at 15-under par 201.

England’s 20-year-old Ben Jones was the Leading Amateur at eight-under par, while Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla continued his fine work from last evening (three birdies in last three holes to make his first cut as a professional) to shoot the lowest round of his career – a seven-under par 65 – and finished as the highest placed MENA player at 207.

MENA Tour

In the beginning, it looked like a romp for Henry, who was five-under par through 10 holes and leading by four shots at that point. But just like the second round, the 32-year-old Scotsman faltered on the back nine and three bogeys coming in killed his chances.

Weiland was two-under par through 12 holes, but the big swing came his way when he birdied the par-5 13th and the par-4 14th holes, while Henry parred the 13th and dropped shots on the 14th and 15th holes.

Axell was off to a hot start, making birdies on six of his first seven holes, before a bogey on the ninth. He then dropped another shot on the par-3 16th, but finished strong with two birdies in the final two holes.

In the play-off, Weiland hit his second shot to 20 feet on the par-5 18th, while Axell stuffed his to eight feet. But Weiland calmly rolled in his eagle putt, while Axell’s slipped past.

After winning the RAK Open by Arena earlier today, @NiclasWeiland spoke to us on the eventful day. pic.twitter.com/P2ManLmRW9

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 30, 2019

“It just feels amazing to be able to get the win so early in my professional career. Having studied in Florida (Barry University), I loved the weather here in the UAE the moment I landed and I just kept a very positive attitude throughout the three events I played in the MENA Tour,” said Weiland, who finished tied second in Abu Dhabi and then tied eighth in Al Ain.

“I have been playing very well and I was confident of doing well again this week. However, the way Henry played the front nine, I thought I was playing for the second prize. He was a bit unlucky on the back nine, while I kept hitting some good shots and made some putts.

“It was amazing to go up in the play-off against Gabriel. We are very good friends and we travel together. We had decided before the play-off that we will split the prize fund no matter who wins, and I am OK with that. Just that he has already started to ask me about the money transfer!”

Axell, one of the most unique players in the world of golf who swings right-handed and putts left-handed, was disappointed not to win, but felt satisfied with his effort.

Gabriel Axell played his 'heart out' on the final day of the RAK Open by Arena to shoot an 8-under par 64. It was good enough to get him into a play-off, which he lost to his close friend @NiclasWeiland.

Axell spoke on his day after the round… @RAKTourism @TowerlinksGolf pic.twitter.com/saIAnrw9Z3

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 30, 2019

“I played great golf and actually thought after the two closing birdies that I would end up one short. So, to get into the playoff was a bonus. I made a birdie on the extra hole, but Niclas made an eagle, so I can’t complain,” said Axell, who had last won on the Nordic Tour four years ago and lost a tournament on the same Tour earlier this year in a play-off.

Iten, who is heading to the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School next week, was counting the positives after finishing tied third.

“It was important that I got off to a good start, but I did not. I was one-over after 12 holes, so to make four birdies after that was good. Nothing can beat a victory, but this has been an excellent week for me ahead of the Q School and I hope to return and play a few events next year on the MENA Tour.”

The Tour now has a break before it returns for the season-ending Journey To Jordan Final, which will feature the top-60 players from the Order of Merit. The tournament will be played at Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, Jordan, from November 25-29.

LEADING SCORES (after the final round of Ras Al Khaimah Open by Arena):
199 – Niclas Weiland (SWE) 65-67-67, Gabriel Axell (SWE) 67-68-64
(Weiland won on the first extra hole with an eagle)
201 – Marco Iten (SUI) 64-68-69, Scott Hendry (SCO) 65-66-70
204 – MG Keyser (RSA) 70-69-65, Craig Ross (SCO) 69-68-67, Joshua Grenville-Wood (ENG) 65-71-68
205 – Erik Lindwall (SWE) 72-68-65, Mathias Weidermann (SWE) 68-71-66, Robbie Busher (ENG) 47-70-69, Kyson Lloyd (ENG) 68-65-72
206 – Harry Ellis (ENG) 69-68-69, Daniel Gaunt (AUS) 67-68-71

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By Kent Gray
Scott Henry will take a one-stroke lead, European Challenge Tour pedigree and some handy family support into the final round of the $75,000 Ras Al Khaimah Open at Tower Links on Wednesday.

With brother-in-law Christopher Walker on his bag, Henry has compiled rounds of 65-66 to be the pacesetter in the MENA Tour by Arena event on 13-under-par.

The 32-year-old Scot is the closest of margins clear of Swede Niclas Weiland (67) and first-round leader Marco Iten (68) of Switzerland heading into the final round of the regional developmental circuit’s final regular-season event. England’s Kyson Lloyd (65) starts in solo fourth on 11-under-par 133, while Australia’s Daniel Gaunt (68) continues to nip at the heels of Journey to Jordan leader MG Keyser in a share of fifth place on nine-under-par 135 alongside Sweden’s Gabriel Axell (68). South African Keyser is five-under-par, four shots adrift of Gaunt, heading into Wednesday.

Henry is a Challenge Tour winner and showed the class that carried him to the 2012 Kazakhstan Open with a superb display from tee to green at Tower Links on Tuesday, especially on the front nine which included an eagle on the 7th.

The Clydebank pro had rattled off seven first-round birdies with the help of Walker, a regular Ladies European Tour (LET) bagman for Henry’s wife Kylie, and backed it up with seven more and the eagle in his second round.

“I was five-under-par through seven holes and I think it was the best I could have ever played tee-to-green,” said Henry.

“The back nine was a bit up and down and I played some scrappy shots coming in. But a birdie on the last was a good way to finish and I am looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.

“I have my brother-in-law on my bag this week and we had great fun on the course. He caddies for my wife (Kylie) on the LET, so he knows his business and he helped me enjoy my round.

“It doesn’t matter whether I am in the lead because I will have to go and play some aggressive golf and shoot some low number tomorrow. There are a lot of birdies on this golf course, so the only way I can protect my lead is if I make a few myself and stay ahead.”

Niclas Weiland was rarely off-piste on Tuesday at Tower Links. Photo: Joy Charavarty/MENA Tour.

His playing partner Weiland had an equally good start and was also five-under-par through seven but could not keep pace with Henry on the back nine. Even though he was four shots worse than his opening round 64, Iten was happy with his 68.

“The only disappointment was a bogey on the 17th when I really wanted a birdie there and the last. At least I got one on the 18th. I am playing good golf, so let’s wait and see what tomorrow brings,” he said.

Sweden’s Erik Lindwall made a hole-in-one on the par-3 8th hole, hitting a perfect six-iron shot from 214 yards. That helped him finish the round on four-under-par 68.

Hole in One!! Sweden’s Erik Lindwall aced the par-3 eighth holes at @TowerlinksGolf today in the second round of the RAK Open by Arena.

His ‘perfect shot’ was with a 6-iron from 214 yards.@RAKTourism pic.twitter.com/C0zPbDwV9j

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 29, 2019

The cut was applied at even-par 144 and 48 professionals and nine amateurs made it to the final round on Wednesday. Among those going through was Othman Almullah (70), the first professional golfer from Saudi Arabia, who birdied his final three holes in fading light to finish on even-par 144.

Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer and a popular member of our Tour @o_almulla_golf made his first pro cut at the RAK Open by Arena in stunning fashion with three birdies in his last three holes!

He spoke to us about what the achievement means to him… @Golf_Saudi pic.twitter.com/MuaACRoSjC

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 29, 2019

Recent Journey to Jordan #2 Championship winner Robin ‘Tiger’ Williams is the leading amateur heading into the final round on -5 after rounds of 69-70. Dubai’s Arjun Gupta (-3) and Toby Bishop (-2) also survived along with amateur Journey to Jordan leader Curtis Knipes (1) although the Englishman will be wary of Williams above him.

After the giddy highs of last week when he became the youngest winner of an Official World Golf Ranking, Josh Hill unsurprisingly missed the cut by three shots but can take solace from the fact he backed up a scrappy opening 78 with a 69 on Tuesday.

LEADING SCORES (after second of the Ras Al Khaimah Open by Arena):
131 – Scott Hendry (SCO) 65-66
132 – Niclas Weiland (SWE) 65-67, Marco Iten (SUI) 64-68,
133 – Kyson Lloyd (ENG) 68-65,
135 – Daniel Gaunt (AUS) 67-68, Gabriel Axell (SWE) 67-68,
136 – Joshua Grenville-Wood (ENG) 65-71,
137 – Robin Petersson (SWE) 70-67, Robbie Busher (ENG) 70-67, Craig Ross (SCO) 69-68, Harry Ellis (ENG) 69-68
138 – Ahmed Baig (PAK) 72-66, Gustaf Kocken (SWE) 69-69

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There was certainly a lot of action off the fairways as you’ll discover in our video review of the event here:

Fortunately there were plenty of smiles afterwards as Ghazi Arungazeb and Nicholas Hymas celebrated their victory.

PHOTO ESSAY: XCGC 2018 at Tower Links G.C. 

The Address Montgomerie Dubai is set to host the final qualifier later this month ahead of the 20th XCGC’s 18-hole grand final at Jumeriah Golf Estates next month.

You can enter the Nov. 29 Monty qualifier here where the top four teams in the pairs betterball net competition will qualify for JGE and compete for the following prizes:

Champions: A memorable ‘International Experience’ at one of Europe’s leading golf clubs.
Runners-Up: Pro-Am spot as well as corporate hospitality at the 2019 HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
Third: Corporate hospitality at the 2019 HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

ENTER the Address Montgomerie Dubai qualifier on Nov. 29

The post VIDEO: 20th Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge at Tower Links Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The pressure was on after 2017 XCGC champions Hisham Shammas and Paul Abouchacra laid down an impressive marker in the opening qualifier of the 2018 series with a betterball net score of 62 on Fire at Jumeirah Golf Estates, only to be trumped by Kelvin Tayfield and Ernest Hosking who scored an 11-under 60 in winning at Trump Dubai.

PHOTO ESSAY: XCGC at Tower Links

But Arungazeb and Hymas eased into second place on the unofficial qualifying leaderboard with a solid 61 at the Ras Al Khaimah qualifier, edging Mohan GC and Rajish Chitti by two shots. Cahal Altman and Kevin Barry were third on 64 while Joe Townsend and Gerry Gibson also qualified for next month;s final at JGE a further shot adrift.

Mark Hughes and Edward Fearn, meanwhile, are the frontrunners in the gross division after winning at Tower Links with a 69. Neil Phillips and Paul Donovan recorded a five-over 77 to win on Fire while a round of 72 saw Jon Walley and Stuart Cameron seal the gross title at Trump Dubai.

The Lincoln Al Tayer’s earest the pin on the 4th hole at Tower Links came with a twist where those who hit within the ‘Lincoln Circle’ were entered the draw to win a Lincoln of their choice for a weekend of their choice. The winners of this great prize were Ahmed Naim, Mandeep Singh and Cahal Altman.

The Xclusive Yachts nearest the pin prize was captured by Cavan Bickell on the 16th hole at Tower Links.

The post Arungazeb and Hymas win latest Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge qualifier at Tower Links appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

A betterball net score of 60 – 11 under par – saw the duo waltz into December’s 20th anniversary grand final in style.

RELATED: Hosking and Tayfield tame Trump to reach 20th XCGC grand final

Check out all the highlights from Trump Dubai in our video review here:

Tower Links Golf Club hosts the penultimate qualifier in the XCGC’s “Celebrating 20 Years Premium Series” tomorrow (November 2) where the top four net place-getters and the gross-winners automatically earn starts in the XCGC’s 18-hole Grand Final in December. There, the following prizes are up for grabs:

Champions: A memorable ‘International Experience’ at one of Europe’s leading golf clubs.
Runners-Up: Pro-Am spot as well as corporate hospitality at the 2019 HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
Third: Corporate hospitality at the 2019 HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Remember, it’s not too late to enter the final qualifier at The Address Montgomerie Dubai on November 29 here – xeroxcgc.com.

RELATED: XCGC – Jumeirah Golf Estates video review

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By Kent Gray
James Heath held his nerve to win the Golden Ball Grand Final at Al Hamra Golf Club but the priceless reward means the butterflies remain.

The Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club member will tee it up in the European Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final Pro-Am on October 29 after winning the Golden Ball title with a two-under net 70 at Al Hamra on Saturday.

Heath will be joined in the Pro-Am by Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club’s Gregory Mathieu who was second with a net 71, on countback from Hanif Ibrahim (Tower Links Golf Club) who will also play alongside one of the European Tour’s emerging stars despite a heartbreaking 10 on Al Hamra’s closing hole.

“It’s daunting to think that we will be playing with the Challenge Tour guys in a couple of weeks,” Heath said after capturing a title that saw more than 800 amateurs enter.

“I got nervous enough coming here for the Golden Ball Grand Final. But it’s going to be a real honour to play alongside them and an experience I’m looking forward to. I play at Al Ain Golf Club so come to a different course in the UAE and represent my club has been a real honour. To win is a bit of good luck.”

Entry to the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final from October 31 to November 3 is free.

The prestigious event is the Challenge Tour’s season-ending showcase which will culminate in the top 15 players on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Rankings being promoted to play on next season’s European Tour.

Like Heath, Mathieu can’t wait for the experience.

The Golden trio (from left) James Heath, Hanif Ibrahim and Gregory Mathieu.

“I’ve played golf for many years but only recently started playing in events so I’m really pleased to win. It’s a dream come true to play with the pros of the Challenge Tour. It’s a real blessing as when you play with a pro you learn a lot and I can’t wait to be there.”

Ibrahim added: “I’m really happy to win one of the Pro-Am places. It’s mixed emotions as I came up to the 18th tee around six under par net but finished with a 10 on that hole which spoiled my scorecard but I’m thrilled to get through.”

The Challenge Tour’s tagline is ‘Where Heroes Are Made’ and six of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team from Paris last month – Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Thorbjørn Olesen, Alex Noren and Tyrrell Hatton – along with their victorious captain Thomas Bjorn – all started their careers on the developmental circuit.

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By Kent Gray
A new event, a new joint venue for the season-ending tour championship and the guarantee of a new champion mark the release of the UAE PGA Tour’s 2018-19 schedule.

The 18-tournament season begins at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club next Monday and will wrap up with the traditional 36-hole (stroke play) UAE PGA Championship in April.

To coin a marketing phrase from the European Challenge Tour, you could call it the local ‘Road to Ras Al Khaimah’ with Tower Links and Al Hamra set to host the two-round finale on April 15-16.

With reigning champion Stefan Wears-Taylor and 2016-17 moneylist winner Cen Mills now back in their native South Africa and Wales respectively, there will be a new champion crowned at Al Hamra.

RELATED: Wears-Taylor sets sights on Sunshine Tour after defending UAE PGA’s flagship title to seal regional OOM race

There will also be much interest in the inaugural Dubai Hills Pro-Am slated for November 26 which will incorporate a ‘set the course record’ challenge.

There is no official word as yet on whether the UAE PGA will again be granted a spot in the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after Al Ain pro Tom Buchanan’s dream week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club last January.

RELATED: Buchanan returns to scene of dream European Tour debut, wins third UAE PGA title on the trot

But a 36-hole event scheduled for Dec.10-11 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the only two-round event outside the Tour Championship, hints at it being a qualifier for the 2019 Desert Swing opener.

Photo: Masam Ali/Motivate Publishing
Tom Buchanan carded ropunds of 74-75 at last year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to finish seven shots shy of the cutline – and with memories of a lifetime.

As ever, the region’s leading teaching professionals will be chasing order-of-merit points to qualify for the UAE’s answer to the Ryder Cup, the Dubai Golf Trophy which has been set for April 27-28.

RELATED: Thomas leads perfect trio as EGF amateurs seal historic Dubai Trophy treble 19-13

The UAE Pros will be hoping to avoid a fourth successive loss to the Emirates Golf Federation’s leading amateurs in the 20th edition of the matchplay event.

UAE PGA Tour – 2018-19 Schedule

2018
Sept. 24: Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Oct. 8:  Al Hamra Golf Club
Oct. 17: UAE PGA Dubai Creek Pro-Am
Oct. 28: The Track, Meydan Golf
Nov. 5: Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Nov. 26: Dubai Hills Pro-Am
Dec. 3: Trump International Golf Club, Dubai
Dec. 10-11: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Dec. 18: Emirates Golf Club

2019
Jan. 8: Jebel Ali Golf Resort
Jan. 22: Al Zorah Golf Club
Feb. 12: The Els Club, Dubai
Feb. 25: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club
Mar. 4: The Montgomerie Pro-Am
Mar. 11: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Mar. 25: Jumeirah Golf Estates (Earth)
Apr. 2: Yas Links Pro-Am
Apr. 15-16: UAE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP (15th at Tower Links/16th at Al Hamra)
Apr. 27-28: Dubai Trophy

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The Ajman schoolgirls enjoyed an introduction to the royal and ancient game at Al Zorah Golf Club as part of a programme that will see more than 400 students exposed to the game over the next month in conjunction with the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE).

Ajman’s Nicklaus-designed course as well as Ras Al Khaimah clubs Al Hamra and Tower Links will host 50 children a week from six MoE schools in a push designed to identify and develop young Emirati golfers while “building good character through the structure of rules from the game of golf”.

The lure for participants are spots in the EGF’s National Junior Development Program with “more competitive” UAE national teams the ultimate goal for the sport’s national governing body.

“Our relationships with the northern golf clubs and the Ministry of Education has been a focus for the National Junior Development Program over the past six months as the EGF feels that our National database is stronger in these areas,” said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, the EGF’s Secretary General.

“Over next four weeks, these golf clubs will be introducing the game of golf to over 400 students. In return we will expect to get a handful of these students to start taking up golf as their everyday sport.”

Students will be transported to the club nearest their school uring their normal Physical Education classes.

“Instead of playing the same sports [Football, Basketball, Rugby] the students will have the opportunity to try and play golf at the golf club,” Al Shamsi said.

John Frost, Lead PE Trainer for the MoE, welcomed the programme.

“It’s wonderful to see local children being introduced to the game of golf who may not necessarily have had the provision or opportunity to do so before. This project in conjunction with the EGF has already developed their skill set and confidence in the game.

“For some, this could be their first step on a pathway to excellence, and for others, we hope that it will instil a passion for lifelong learning in physical activity.”

To find more information about the EGF’s National Junior Development Program email info@egfgolf.com or visit egfgolf.com.

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