Lebanese & Emirates Golf Federation Strengthen Brotherhood at 1st Cedars Championship

Mullane, Mateiu, & Sokolov Win their Repected Divisions

(Ajman, UAE) – On April 1-3, 2025, the Lebanese Golf Federation, in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation, hosted the inaugural Cedars Championship at Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. 66 amateur golfers took to the course competing for World Amature Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, Arab Golf Series points, and a spot in the upcoming HotelPlanner Tour event – UAE Challenge at Al Zorah.

The tournament is played over 54 holes, with an 18-hole Stableford format for the final round. Winning the Men’s Division following a six-hole playoff was UAE National Team player Sam Mullane. The exciting playoff was between Mullane and fellow EGF members Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne. There was a lot to play for as the winner received a Sponsors Invite to the upcoming HotelPlanner Tour event next week at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club. With Sam winning the Championship (who is already playing in next week’s HotelPlanner Tour event) and given the high level of competition and sportsmanship, the Emirates Golf Federation granted both Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne exemptions into next week’s event for their second-place finish.

Winning the Ladies Division was Anca Mateiu, who fired impressive rounds of 65-68-73 for a championship total of 217, 10-under-par.

Winning the Junior Division was Daniil Sokolov, who shot one-under-par for the championship. Daniil was nine shots clear of the runner-up and was also granted a spot in next week’s HotelPlanner Tour event.

During the prize presentation that was attended by EGF Chairman, His Excellency Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, and Vice Chairman, General Abdullah Alhashm, the President of the Lebanese Golf Federation, Karim Salaam, expressed the importance of the brotherhood and sportsmanship that was on display this week in the UAE.

“It is important for countries to stand with other countries and although Lebanon is going through difficult times, we can use sport to be a vehicle of diplomacy. Thank you to the Emirates Golf Federation and to our brothers and sisters in the UAE for this opportunity. We look forward to continuing to use this championship to accomplish more than just the development of golf,” Mr. Salaam announced.

The Championship saw players from Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, UAE, as well as EGF members and UAE residents. This championship was the second event of the recently announced Arab Golf Series organized by the Arab Golf Federation.

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