DUFRY HOST RECORD CROWDS AT SHARJAH LADIES OPEN

(Sharjah, UAE) – Julia Alhemoud representing Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club was crowned the 8th Dufry Ladies Open Golf Champion after shooting 69 gross (three under equaling the current course record) taking the title by 2 shots over last year’s champion Anastasia Bakal (The Els Club Dubai) on Saturday 20th February.

Julia who was one of the hot favorite going into the tournament, after finishing in the top five 3 times in the last few years along with 4 other players from the top ten in the Ladies Order of Merit. Alhemoud started in this sold out event, very strongly with three birdies in a row through holes 3, 4 and 5 to post her name on top of the leader board, where it would stay throughout the day. The front nine would see the only bogey of the day on the long 7th hole but Julia pared her way home and polished off the excellent round with a birdie three on the last to sign off for 69 gross, three under par. This was enough to claim the title and vital EGF order of Merit points.

Second spot went to another young talent last year’s champion Anastasia Bakal as she produced 71 after “not playing well at all the day before in the Tower Links Ladies Open”. Third spot went to went to Alison Muirhead of JGE who claimed three spot with a solid round of five over par 77 gross. The final prize in the gross went to Aashka Desai of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club with a round of 78. That score was equaled by Madeleen Grosskopf of Al Badia but Desai won by scorecard count back.

Over in the net division Amalia Arredondo (ABGC) produced a great round of golf finishing with a three under net 69 to claim the Division A title. The Runner-Up spot in Division A went to Sakura Kawakami (AAESGC) who finished with a net 70.

The Division B prizes went to one of our two guests from Doha Golf Club, Melanie Thomas, who carded the equaling lowest net of the day with 67 net. The runner up was Jully Kang of Al Badia Golf Club was just narrowly defeated for top spot on scorecard count back on the same score of 67 net.

Iain Forresst, Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & India of Dufry was on hand at the Prize Presentation in their 7th Year on board as sponsors and awarded each player with their prizes.