Whirlwind Whittaker Storms to Faldo Series Middle East Title

(Al Ain, UAE) – Al Ain’s own Peter Whittaker saved the best golf of the week for the third and final round of the 2022 Championship with a stunning 61 gross (-9) taking him to an overall total of 200 (-10) and the overall winner’s prize. 

Peter started with 3 straight pars, followed by birdies on the 4^th, 5^th, and 8^th and an eagle 3 on the par 5, 7^th hole seeing him turn in 30. A par followed on the 10^th, before an amazing run of seven straight 3’s to take him to -9 for the day, and with 2 holes to play a chance of joining the exclusive 59 club. Unfortunately, he could only close out his game with par’s on the 17^th and 18^th, but still, a fantastic round, and enough to lead the overall field and land the Boys under 18 division, and an invite back to the European Grand Final at the AESGC later in the year. 

The 2022 Champion had this to say after his victory “I felt I played really solid on day 1 but the wind made it tricky, but I was happy with my 71 total, the second day the wind dropped which made it easier, but I had to rely on my short game to get me out of trouble and scrambled well around the greens so I was very pleased to finish on 2 under for the day and stay in contention. Even though I didn’t feel my game was at its very best in the first 2 days, I was still going out today to try and take the overall prize, and felt in a great rhythm on the front 9 and hold some good putts to go out in 30. When I got to 7 under for the day after 12, I really wanted to keep it going and after birdies on 14 and 16, I even had a small thought of breaking 60 but it wasn’t to be, but still really happy with my 61 and to win the whole event. Looking forward to playing in the Grand Final in November and hopefully coming out on top again” 

Raghav Gulati (Dubai Creek), who lead on day 1, finished the event with a 1 over par 71 for his 208 total (-2) which kept him in the top spot in the Boys Under 16 division ahead of Victor Kofod-Olsen (Emirates Golf Club) with his total of 214 (+4) 

The Boys under 21 division had to be settled by a play-off, with overnight joint leader Jake Wiltshire (Els Club Dubai) and Edoardo Scialanga (Emirates Golf Club) ending up level with their 3 round totals of 207 (-3). Jake’s par on the 3^rd extra hole was enough to win the division after Edoardo couldn’t manage to get up and down on the par 3 to keep the playoff alive.  

Lara El Chaib (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) kept control in the Girls under 16 category, from start to finish after closing out with a level par 70 to go with her previous rounds of 69 and 70 for her 209 total (-1). Second place in the division went to Jamie Roslyn Camero (Els Club Dubai) with her total of 218 after her final round of 72 

Not to be outdone by Peter, fellow Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club member, Sakura Kawakami took the top prize in the Girls under 21 division and the runner-up spot in the overall standings with her total of 206 (-4). Her closing round of 66, combined with her opening rounds of 72 and 68 saw her improving as the event went on. Moving up 2 spots from her 4^th place standing after 2 rounds, Lisa Wahlquist (Doha Golf Club), claimed second place in the division behind Sakura with her final total of 222. 

“There was some great golf played throughout the event, as the standard of golf here in the UAE continues to impress” Matthew Faldo, Director of the Faldo Series commented. He went on to say “Congratulations to Peter on winning this week with a fantastic score today of 61. Peter along with the other 4 category winners will be invited to the European Grand Final to compete in that, as well as meet Sir Nick here in Al Ain in November. I would also like to thank the whole team at Al Ain for this week, and it is great that the AESGC will continue to host our Middle East Qualifier and the European Grand Final up until 2027” 

 

Division Results Gross 

Boys under 16 Winner – Raghav Gulati – Dubai Creek – 208 

Boys under 16 Runner Up – Victor Kofod-Olsen Emirates Golf Club – 214  

Boys under 18 & Overall Winner – Peter Whittaker – AESGC – 200 

Boys under 18 Runner Up – Samual Perilla Espinosa – Doha Golf Club – 234  

Boys under 21 Winner – Jake Wiltshire – Els Club Dubai – 207 (playoff) 

Boys under 21 Runner Up – Edoardo Scialanga – Emirates Golf Club – 207 

Girls under 16 Winner – Lara El Chaib – Abu Dhabi Golf Club – 209 

Girls Under 16 Runner Up – Jamie Roslyn Camero – Els Club Dubai – 218 

Girls under 21 Winner – Sakura Kawakami – AESGC – 206 

Girls under 21 Runner Up – Lisa Wahlquist – Doha Golf Club – 222 

 

Division Results Net 

Boys Under 16 – Alexander Rushika – Jumeirah Golf Estates – 205

Boys Under 18 – Obaid Al Heloo – Emirates Golf Federation – 221

Boys Under 21 – Muhammad Saaih Halilintar – KGPA – 199

Girls Under 16 – Sara Ali – Emirates Golf Federation – 209

Girls Under 21 – Alia Al Emadi – Emirates Golf Federation – 206