Rory McIlroy. Getty Images

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• On Saturday June 10, breakfast for two at Jing Asia & one spot in 18-hole tournament (individual stableford format) at Yas Island Abu Dhabi

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The post Play & Stay: Now you can win a Pro-Am spot at the 2024 Dubai Desert Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

All this and much more in the December 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get the December 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By GolfDigestME.com
Defending champion Thomas Pieters will be joined at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Island by former winners Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry for the 18th edition of the opening Rolex Series event of the 2023 DP World Tour season, from January 19-22.

Yas Links will host the tournament for the second consecutive year, which has long been a fixture on the global golf schedule, having first been staged in 2006.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council has confirmed free general admission tickets for all tournament days, giving all fans in the UAE the opportunity to witness the world-class field in person, including Pieters and his fellow Ryder Cup stars Lowry and Fleetwood.

Pieters became the first Belgian to win a Rolex Series event after outlasting a star-studded field in challenging breezy conditions at Yas Links, signing for a level par 72 and a 10-under total, to earn him the coveted Falcon Trophy and a sixth victory on the DP World Tour.

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are proud to host the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links following a successful debut earlier this year. We’re delighted this tournament is so well established on the DP World Tour and global golf calendar, and we’re excited to welcome back reigning champion Thomas Pieters, and former winners Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry.”

Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, added: “This prestigious Rolex Series event is always an excellent way to kick off the year and we are delighted to be returning to Yas Links for the 18th edition. Following the success of last year’s move to Yas Island, we have no doubt this year will be another unforgettable tournament with some of the world’s greatest golfers gathering in Abu Dhabi for a four-day festival of golf and entertainment.”

Pieters is eager to defend his title. “I’m looking forward to coming back to Yas Island ,” he said. “Winning a Rolex Series event gave me a lot of confidence going into the 2022 season, knowing you can match it with the best in the world is huge, and it’s always a great feeling to come back as defending champion to any tournament.”

Fleetwood, a two-time winner in 2017 and 2018, added: “I’ve always enjoyed starting the year in Abu Dhabi at this prestigious tournament. I’ve based myself in the UAE, it’s a brilliant part of the world, and a place I’ve been successful on the golf course, so it will be nice to play in front of family and friends to begin my DP World Tour season. Yas Links was a new challenge and I am look forward to coming back to Abu Dhabi once again.”

“Coming back as a past champion is always nice and Yas Island is a world-class destination for sport, plus you add in the amazing fans, and it makes for a winning atmosphere,” added Lowry

Earlier this month, the DP World Tour confirmed all Rolex Series events will have a prize fund of $9 million — an increase of $1million from the 2022 purse.

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The post DP World Tour: Pieters, Fleetwood and Lowry primed for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship return appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Four-time Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion and former world No. 1 Shanshan Feng has announced her retirement. The ground-breaking Chinese star made waves on the LPGA and Ladies European Tour for her dominant streak in the 2010s — including four Dubai titles in the space of five years on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club from 2012-2016, and the 2012 PGA Championship. She will now help coach the China National Team.

Ramli and Faye triumph in Sharjah

Faye Muhammed

Experience and youth shone through at the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s Radisson Blu Ajman Midweek Special as low handicapper Ramli Sulaiman and upcoming star Faye Muhammed teamed up with six birdies and no dropped shots to claim top spot on 66.

Faisal gears up

Faisal Salhab

Golf Saudi’s highest ranked amateur golfer Faisal Salhab has continued his progress with two excellent results in England. A T-15 in the Tilmann trophy at Castle Royle Golf and Country Club, Reading, was followed by a 16th place in the world-renowned Walton Heath Trophy in Surrey have the 25-year-old in fine shape ahead of the second half of the Asian Tour, its International Series events and the world amateur team Eisenhower Trophy.

Fashion in store

Duca del Cosma in Dubai

Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has opened its first luxury store in Dubai. Located at the luxury retail and entertainment hub of Gate Avenue in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), the outlet will showcase the brand’s exclusive hand-crafted shoes and accessories, offering golfers the opportunity to stay chic on the fairways. Operated in partnership with White Eagle Sport — a Dubai-based multi-sports event company — the store will provide comfort and style with Duca del Cosma’s designer golf shoes.

Chiara rests

Chiara Noja

Dubai-based Chiara Noja is taking some well-earned time off. After her 11th-placed finish in the €40,000 Santander Golf Tour Malaga in Spain on the Ladies European Tour Access Series extended her lead in the 2022 LETAS Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year standings, the 16-year-old German is going to have a time out after several competitive weeks on tour. A visibly tired Noja signed for a level-par 72 and a three-over finish over the three rounds in Malaga, and admitted she has “hit a wall”. However, she is still in great shape to get her full Ladies European Tour card at the first time of asking this season.

EGC and Yas take top awards

Emirates Golf Club

UAE clubs Emirates Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi have won top prizes at the Asian Golf Awards. EGC claimed best championship course in Middle East-Africa, while Yas Links won best golf course in Middle East-Africa.

DP World Tour Championship tickets now available

Collin Morikawa.

Registration is now open for those wishing to attend the DP World Tour Championship, which takes place on the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course in Dubai from November 17-20. The traditional season-ending event will be bigger than ever with the Rolex Series event offering $10 million in prize money along with 12,000 DP World Tour Ranking Points as the top players fight for the honour of becoming the 2022 DP World Tour season-long champion.

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The post The Gulf Club — all the latest golf news around the UAE and beyond up to August 2, 2022 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith

Up to Scratch

The 2021-2022 UAE Scratch League concluded with the final matches to crown champions in both the Scratch and Players Divisions.
Dubai Hills overcame Yas Links at home in the Players Division final to capture the inaugural Shield. Both the Yas Links and Dubai Hills teams will be promoted from the Players Division to compete in the Scratch Division for the 2022-2023 season.

Trump International defended their Scratch League title

In the competitive Scratch Division, The Els Club just missed out on the title as favorites Trump International edged them in the final match to successfully defend their 2020-2021 title in the league, which is supported by Emirates Golf Federation.

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The Race is on

The winners at Sharjah

Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club hosted the 12th qualifying round of the Emirates NBD Race to Malaysia over the weekend, with 56 golfers competing over the nine-hole course.

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Oates claims DDF Golf Cup

Oates with Dubai Duty Free’s Colm McLoughlin

Home member Ross Oates won the 28th Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup at Arabian Ranches. The event was an individual stableford format with prizes being awarded to junior, senior, men’s, ladies and gross divisions. Frederic Fleury, Ross Grant, Nick Borkhataria and Anna Iatsuliak were among the other winners.

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McIlroy triumphs

Sheila McIlroy won at JGE

Jumeirah Golf Estates captain Sheila McIlroy won the June edition of the Lounge Spa Ladies ahead of Willemijn Roeterdink and Juliette Castell. Bettina Schrockenfuchs was the winner of the Individual Stableford with a score of 36 points.

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Boot camp

Russell Yeomans won on the Faldo Course at EGC

Emirates Golf Club hosted the Suited and Booted Open on the Faldo Course, with a 6pm shotgun start under the floodlights. The overall winner was Russell Yeomans, ahead of PT Jain and Kangho Rho.

[divider] [/divider]

Winners on Earth Course

Yash Majmudar

The June OMA Emirates Medalford also took place at JGE, with Ravi Khanna crowned the winner on the Earth Course. Nicsha Russouw claimed the Ladies Division. Young star Yash Majmudar claimed the Overall Gross prize.

[divider] [/divider]

Three-in-one

Jumeirah Golf Estates won the Beneple Dubai Golf Junior Team Championship

The three-event Beneple Dubai Golf Junior Team Championship took place at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates. JGE scored 196 points on the final day to win both the final round and the overall tournament.

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Champion finish

Naima Maya won the Ladies Tournament of Champions on the EGC Majlis Course

EGC hosted the Ladies Tournament of Champions on the Majlis Course with 23 ladies competing in a medal format. The overall winner was Naima Maya, from defending champion Kiyono Taniuchi. In third place was Caroline Granger.

[divider] [/divider]

Good cause

Doha Golf Club

Doha Golf Club ladies held a Lupus Awareness Fund Raiser to help member Karen who is fighting the disease. A very generous contribution was made by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) and the ladies themselves, as they continued their efforts in raising Lupus awareness. All proceeds went to the Lupus UK Foundation. Doha also saw the conclusion of its six-event BICT Series, which began back in December.

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By Matt Smith

Clash of the captains

Emirates Golf Club celebrated its annual Captains Matchplay Challenge which saw 32 pairings compete for the title, representing either Amarjeet Radia’s Lady Captains Team or Abdulfattah Sharaf’s Men’s Captains Team. It was the Lady Captains team who were victorious by four points, prevailing 10.5-7.5.

New-look in Ajman

The Al Zorah clubhouse design

There was some exciting news out of Ajman as construction work began at the clubhouse at Al Zorah Golf Club, with the aim of transforming it into the leading tourist and golfing destination in the northern Emirates. The clubhouse at the Troon-managed course will offer full leisure facilities, including a gym, golf shop, tennis courts and swimming pool, plus food and beverage outlets will offer visitors a choice to dine, socialise and relax within the club.

Dubai Ladies take centre stage

Sara Chadwick, Jacqueline de Vries and Sheila McIlroy won the Park Hyatt Dubai Ladies at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Jumeirah Golf Estates hosted The Park Hyatt Dubai Ladies in a three-player cha-cha-cha format over the Fire Course. The format is the best score on hole 1, best 2 scores on hole 2, best 3 scores on hole 3 back to best score on hole 4 and so on. Sheila McIlroy, Sara Chadwick, and Jacqueline de Vries came up with the goods to win with 79 points (7-under), ahead of Trudi McMullan, Rim Sun Lee, and Anna Abbott with 77 points.

Success at Yas Acres

Mousa Shana’ah triumphed at Yas Acres

Over at Yas Acres, Mousa Shana’ah overcame Ji Li, Paul Rezko and Jonathan Selvaraj to win the Gem International Amateur Golf Tour by a commanding seven strokes.

Hole-in-one at Hamra

Patrick Stevens

Patrick Stevens, the 2022 Al Hamra Golf Club Champion, had another reason to celebrate after hitting a hole-in-one on the Ras Al Khaimah Par 3 course.

Black on top at EGC

Emirates Golf Club Gents Tournament of Champions winner Gary Black

It was a busy time at Emirates Golf as the Gents Tournament of Champions also took place, with 30 golfers competing on the Majlis Course in a strokeplay format. Gary Black’s net 67 was good enough for top spot.

Fine on Faldo

Emirates Golf Club Ladies Mutt & Jeff champ Haide Wright

Not to be outdone, EGC held its Ladies Mutt & Jeff Competition , with 16 golfers battling it out on the Faldo Course in a Stableford format. Haide Wright took the honours with a better back six over Fiona Berry.

Peter Cowen Academies bring down curtain

Peter Cowen Academy Dubai Junior Medal Grand Final winners

The Peter Cowen Academy Dubai Junior Medal Grand Final took place at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with the last event of the season seeing 22 juniors from JGE, Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club compete. Winning the best net score was EGC’s Jameel Choudry, who just edged out Dubai Creek’s Audrey Wulff. Best Gross went to JGE’s Ties Wolters.

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A day which started with a 9-hole Team Scramble, ended in a glittering awards ceremony as the market-leading performance-management specialist continued to honour its best performers across the region for having achieved the highest standards of sales & customer service excellence across 2021. 

The winners in the 59club MEA Service Excellence Awards are determined by scores collected from its impartial mystery shopping audits, which evaluate the experience afforded to visiting golfers and prospective members, in accordance with objective benchmarking criteria over a period of 12 months.

On the night, 59club MEA presented 23 awards, recognising ‘service excellence’ across all areas of the businesses – Sales, Service, Operations, Retail, Golf course, Food & Beverage and Membership. 

And, for one property, there was special celebration as Yas Links, Abu Dhabi  gained four awards after scooping Golf Agronomy Team of the Year, Golf Operations Team of the Year, Gold Flag Designation and the leading award of the night, the Ultimate Service Excellence Award. Attached picture from left to right: Daniel Wright, Corey Finn, Lee Waggott and Santos Montes.

Speaking of their winning performance, Matt Waters, Group Director of Golf, said; “We are extremely proud of the teams amazing efforts in achieving four superb awards at this year’s 59club Middle East & Africa Awards. We strive to deliver the best possible customer experience at both golf clubs and with the support of Troon and 59club, we have been able to continually improve to deliver some great results. I believe that the awards we have received this year are a true testament to the hard work and commitment from all team members over the past couple of years. Thank you to 59club Middle East & Africa for organising a fantastic awards afternoon and evening to allow all clubs the opportunity to celebrate their successes.”

Other Teams honoured on the night were Saadiyat Beach Golf Club who were awarded Golf Retail Team of the Year, the Els Club, Dubai who claimed Golf Membership Team of the Year and Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai having scooped Food and Beverage Team of the Year.

While Trump International Golf Club, Dubai repeated their success from last year to receive the My59 Service Excellence Award for their continued commitment to engage, analyze and enrich their member and guest experience, utilizing a collateral of survey tools across 59club’s software platform. 

The final awards of the evening and always a highlight of proceedings saw 59club MEA present their Industry Benchmark of excellence, it’s Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations. These highly prized accolades recognise properties that provide excellent facilities for golfers to enjoy, as well as having achieved the required standard of customer service throughout the year. 

This year, 59club MEA presented 9 ‘Gold Flags’, the deserving winners were: Abu Dhabi Golf Club; Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; Emirates Golf Club; Jumeirah Golf Estates; Royal Golf Club, Bahrain; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club; The Els Club, Dubai; Trump International Golf Club, Dubai and Yas Links Abu Dhabi. 

Whilst 6 ‘Silver Flags’ went to Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Al Hamra Golf; Club; Al Zorah Golf Club; Arabian Ranches Golf Club; Dubai Hills Golf Club and Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai and 1 ‘Bronze flag’ to Meydan Golf.

Of this year’s awards, Mark Bull, Director at 59club MEA, commented: “ It is always a pleasure to host the industry at our annual service excellence awards and recognise the hard work and commitment of all membership and operations teams in the region. Special thanks to our host venue, The Els Club, Dubai and all of our partners and sponsors on the day. Congratulations to all nominees and winners on the night, the high levels of service and quality of facilities at all venues is fantastic and we are very proud of the part we play in supporting the industry in measuring and benchmarking to maintain these standards”. 

59club MEA ‘Service Excellence’ Award Winners 2022

Golf Membership Sales Team of the Year, sponsored by Worldwide Golf:  The Els Club, Dubai

Golf Retail Team of the Year, sponsored by Luxury Carts Group:  Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Dubai

Food and Beverage Team of the Year, sponsored by African & Eastern:  Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai

Golf Agronomy Team of the Year, sponsored by Delta Turf Care/Toro:  Yas Links, Abu Dhabi

Golf Operations Team of the Year, sponsored by Golf Genius:  Yas Links, Abu Dhabi

My 59 Service Excellence, sponsored by Sunset Events Production: Trump International Golf Club, Dubai

Ultimate Service Excellence Award: Yas Links, Abu Dhabi

Bronze Flag Designations: Meydan Golf

Silver Flag Designations: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Al Hamra Golf Club; Al Zorah Golf Club; Arabian Ranches Golf Club; Dubai Hills Golf Club and Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai

Gold Flag Designations: Abu Dhabi Golf Club; Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; Emirates Golf Club; Jumeirah Golf Estates; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club; The Els Club, Dubai; Royal Golf Club, Bahrain; Trump International Golf Club, Dubai and Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

The post Yas Links rises to the top at 59Club MEA Excellence Awards appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Kent Gray
After a rough introduction to golf in the UAE seven years ago, Craig Howie is clearly warming to this desert golf lark. A self-decrepitating social media post, which has illustrated just how far his instantly rocky relationship has come, has a new legion of fans in Dubai playing the mutual appreciation game with the relatively unheralded Scot.

The 26-year-old from Peebles near Edinburgh will start the third round of the inaugural Golf in Dubai Championship on Friday in a share of fourth on -12. That’s five strokes adrift of halfway leader Andy Sullivan but the way the European Tour field are carving up Fire, it’s not as far back as it sounds.

It’s also a giant leap forward for Howie’s first taste of golf in the UAE at an amateur event back in 2013 as he highlighted in a Tweet after his opening round of 64 at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

In 2013 I played my first ever round in the UAE ?? I shot 94. Today was a better day. Shout out to @YasLinksGC for their well placed water hazards ? pic.twitter.com/yXxWZt96wL

— Craig Howie (@crhowie94) December 2, 2020

After signing for a 68 on Thursday, Howie revisited his Yas Links heartache. Well, sort of.

“To be honest it was all a bit of a blur at the time,” Howie said.

“I’ve tried pretty hard to erase it from my memory but to be honest it’s probably one of the best things that has happened to me. At the time I was a pretty good golfer and hadn’t had too many setbacks, so it was quite a humbling experience. It reminded me that the game is not that easy and I need to keep working hard. I’ve learned a lot and it’s stood me in good stead.”

This is just Howie’s 10th European Tour start, all of them in 2020. There has been four missed cuts but a T-5 at the ISPS Handa UK Championship, like this week a new event born out of COVID, highlighted his potential.

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Craig Howie lets it rip off the 10th tee on Fire during the second round Thursday.

“My playing experiences are pretty limited on the European Tour. Before lockdown, I had only ever played once [a missed cut at the South African Open in January]. This year it was more about gathering experience and trying to make the most of the opportunities that I do get.

“Thankfully, I’ve played well. I’m not really sure why that’s been the case. I think I’ve just been quite comfortable when I’ve been out here. Expectations are fairly low. It seems to be a good recipe.”

Having banked €88,816 in this season like no other, Howie is getting a taste for the lifestyle at the top level, especially here in Dubai.

“The hotels, the car, the golf is just an added bonus on top of all that. The food this week is incredible, the sunshine. There’s a lot to enjoy.”

The post Craig Howie’s previous UAE golf experience was a humbling 93 at Yas Links. Now he’s contending at JGE appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
It will still be known as the ‘Journey to Jordan’ but that’s about where the similarities between the current MENA Tour by Arena season and new-look 2020 schedule end. 

New events in Oman and the UAE – the latter an Alfred Dunhill Links Championship-style Pro-Am over 54 holes – two multi-venue tournaments (albeit at familiar courses) and a $25,000 increase in the purse for the season-ending tour championship headline next season’s schedule unveiled today.

RELATED: Arena become ‘umbrella sponsor’ of MENA Tour

Also gone for 2020 are the current spring and autumn swings, replaced instead by a condensed four-month season, again encompassing a two-stage Qualifying School at Ayla G.C. in late January. Q-School is immediately followed by the first event of the season proper, the Journey to Jordan #1 Championship, also at Ayla Golf Club.

With Aqaba in Jordan back as the tour’s destination partner, Ayla G.C. will again host four events (Q-School and three main season stops) including The Arena (Tour) Championship. The April 19-23 Journey to Jordan decider will be 72-holes for the first time since the 2017 Tour Championship, features an increased prize fund of $125,000 and becomes a full-field event for the first time in what will be the eighth season of the MENA Tour.

The increased playing opportunities and increased Official World Golf Ranking points (five OWGR points to the Arena Championship winner as it has become a four-round event) are by design, not necessity. David Spencer, Strategic Advisor to the MENA Tour, explains the rationale behind the radical rejig.

“There are two very good reasons why we decided to have the Tour schedule packed in one continuous stretch rather than have two legs in Spring and an Autumn,” said Spencer.

“Most development Tours do not start until the end of April, mostly because of the playing conditions in Europe. We are fortunate to have perfect weather in the Middle East during that period. This gives our players a solid run of tournaments, which is great preparation for them going into the summer. Also, it just simplifies things logistically for our players and makes the cost of ‘life’ on the Tour more affordable.

“With the multitude of playing opportunities we provide on European, Asian and the Challenge Tours, the new-look schedule dovetails perfectly with the other Tours.”

RELATED: MENA Tour breakthrough a ‘massive” confidence boost for Allan

The first of the circuit’s new events, the Muscat Open, is to be hosted by at Muscat Hills from Feb. 10-13. The Muscat Open is the first of back-to-back events in Oman ahead of The Ghala Open at Ghala Golf Club (Feb. 16-19).

Muscat Hills G.C.

Troon International venues will feature prominently in the circuit’s new multi-course events. The first, the ‘Triple Crown’ in March, will be co-hosted by Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach G.C. and Abu Dhabi G.C. while Al Hamra has joined forces with existing host venue Al Zorah in Ajman to co-host the Northern Emirates Open.

In another first, the MENA Tour by Arena Invitational Pro-Am will be modelled on the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. A venue and purse for the MENA Tour’s iteration has yet to be announced but it will be staged in the UAE and is in the schedule for Mar. 22-25, the week after Abu Dhabi’s Triple Crown.

A minimum of 30 players from each stage of Q-School will secure their cards for the season.

MENA TOUR BY ARENA – 2020 SCHEDULE
Jan. 20-23: Qualifying School A – Ayla GC, Aqaba, Jordan ($6,000)
Jan. 26-29: Qualifying School B – Ayla GC, Aqaba, Jordan ($6,000)
Feb. 2-5: Journey to Jordan #1 – Ayla GC, Aqaba, Jordan ($75,000)
Feb. 10-13: The Muscat Open – Muscat Hills GC, Muscat, Oman ($75,000)
Feb. 16-19: The Ghala Open – Ghala GC, Muscat, Oman ($75,000)
Feb. 23-26: The Bahrain Open – Royal GC, Bahrain ($75,000)
Mar. 1-4: Journey to Jordan #2 – Ayla GC, Aqaba, Jordan ($75,000)
Mar. 15-18: The Triple Crown – Yas Links/Saadiyat Beach GC/Abu Dhabi GC ($75,000)
Mar. 22-25: MENA Tour by Arena Invitational Pro-Am – UAE TBA (Purse TBA)
Mar. 29-April 1: Ras Al Khaimah Open – Tower Links GC, RAK ($75,000)
April 5-8: Northern Emirates Open – Al Hamra GC, RAK/Al Zorah GC, Ajman ($75,000)
April 12-15 TBA – Venue TBA ($75,000)
April 19-23 The Arena Championship – Ayla GC, Aqaba, Jordan ($125,000)

The post Innovative events and new venues highlight ‘condensed’ 2020 MENA Tour schedule appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
James Allan has known success on the MENA Tour before but is 18 holes away from a belated 25th birthday present at Yas Links that would trump it all.

The English lefty started the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open by Arena a shot adrift of overnight leader Niclas Weiland but ended Tuesday two strokes in the lead after an equal best of the day 67 to go with his opening 66 on Monday, the day he celebrated his 25th.

Weiland slipped to tied third with an even-par 72 while English journeyman Matt Killen moved into solo second after matching Allan’s 67.

Allan has twice been crowned the MENA Tour’s now Journey to Jordan amateur Order of Merit champion – in 2014 and 2015 – but has not won a professional title on a recognised tour. He’s hoping to change all that on Wednesday.

“Tomorrow, I want to do the same things I did on the first two days,” the Chelmsford pro said.

“I am actually enjoying myself on this golf course. I just want to go out there and give my best and let’s see where that takes us.”

England’s @jamesallangolf takes us through the five-under par 67 that eventually earned him a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Open by Arena.

He also describes his eagle on the par-5 seventh hole and the tough closing stretch because of the headwind. pic.twitter.com/eLe2cl9VVh

— MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 8, 2019

Taking advantage of the far more benign conditions following the first round’s 40-50 kmph winds, Allan sent bogey-free on Tuesday in a round highlighted by a driver, seven-iron, one putt eagle on the par-5 7th.

“I started solid and that eagle on the 7th gave me a jumpstart. I had a few chances on the back nine but could not make any of them. The last four holes were playing really tough today, into the wind, so I was quite pleased with that effort,” said Allan who is 11-under-par heading into the final round.

A former Abu Dhabi resident who worked at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Killen, has returned to the MENA Tour after playing the regional Pro-Am circuit in 2016 and 2017. Like Allan, the 30-year-old Asian Development Tour player he is also chasing his first recognised tour win.

Matt Killen at Yas Links on Tuesday. Photo: Joy Chakravarty/MENA Tour

“A win would mean a lot to me. I have worked very hard on my game in the last couple of years. Hopefully, I can get it done tomorrow, but I don’t want to think about it just yet,” Killen said.

“Considering that I shot a 68 yesterday in those difficult conditions, a 67 today would not sound that good, but I will take two solid rounds like that any day. I just made one bogey yesterday and one today and managed to keep myself out of trouble for the most part, and when I did get into trouble, I scrambled well. “

On the amateur leaderboard, Dubai-based 15-year-old Josh Hill (72) continued to be on top despite finishing his second round with three successive bogeys. He was on three-under-par 141, with Jack Floydd (73) and Ben Davies (72) trailing him by two shots at 143.

The cut was applied at three-over-par 147 and 51 professionals made it to the final round. Among those with Wednesday off is Australian Daniel Gaunt, a fact that won’t have gone unnoticed by South African MG Keyser. Keyser,  tied  5th, five shots adrift of Allan, looks set to extend his lead atop the Journey to Jordan pro-OOM, especially as second-placed Gaunt won’t add to his points tally this week..

Amateur Robin ‘Tiger’ Williams, who won the Journey To Jordan-2 last week by eight shots, was at even-par 144 after a round of 71.  

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