UAE Ladies Team Strike Gold in Bahrain; Juniors Finish 4th

(Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain) – On February 2-4, 2016 the Royal Golf Club in Riffa, Bahrain hosted the 2016 Ladies & Junior GCC Golf Championship. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ladies National Team comprised of Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Reema Al Heloo, and Tara Al Marzooqi won the Gold in the Team Division. The UAE Junior (15 & Under) National Team finished in 4th Place.

2016 Ladies GCC Golf Championship Gold Medal Winners  Top Left to Right: Reema Al Heloo, Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Tara Al Marzooqi, & Greg Holmes  Bottom: EGF Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi

2016 Ladies GCC Golf Championship Gold Medal Winners
Top Left to Right: Reema Al Heloo, Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Tara Al Marzooqi, & Greg Holmes
Bottom: EGF Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi

The Royal Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course that is designed by course architect and golf legend Colin Montgomerie. With low temperatures and high winds throughout the week the teams were challenged on this tough course.

Having a strong championship for the UAE, the Ladies National Team won the Gold in the Team Category. This is the first Gold ever won by the UAE Ladies. After taking the best two scores from the team each of the three rounds, the ladies had a team score of 559. The ladies also ran the podium in the Individual Category placing first, second, and third.

Commanding the way and winning the Gold in the Ladies Individual Category was Reema Al Heloo. Reema has had an impressive golf season this year with wins on the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit and in National Monthly Medals. Reema fired rounds of 93-100 and an impressive final round of 87 for a championship total of 280.

Reema Al Heloo

Reema Al Heloo

“My short game and especially my buckers shots were working well for me this week. On the last hole [a par 5] of the final round, I had a bunker shot that I played perfectly which left me with a tap-in-birdie. This is my biggest victory, and it feels special to win a GCC event. It’s great knowing that my coaches, family, and country are proud of me,” said Reema after receiving two Gold medals.

Winning the Silver Prize in the Ladies Individual Category was Dr. Rabab Al Haj. Dr. Rabab had rounds of 93-96-92 for a total of 281. Rounding out the Ladies Team and finishing in 3rd Place in the Individual Category was Tara Al Marzooqi. Tara shot rounds of 99-98-94 for a total of 291.

National Team Coach Greg Holmes had this to say about the Ladies Team performance. “I am honored to be apart of this historic victory. The Ladies have worked extremely hard and thoroughly deserve the Gold, as well as the clean sweep in the Individual Category. I hope that this is a reflection and a catalyst for the growth in talent for the ladies’ game. We are looking forward to many more successful outings.”

The UAE Junior (15 & Under) National Team finished in 4th Place for the championship with a team total of 444. Winning the Gold in the Team Category for the Juniors (15 & Under) was Bahrain with a Team score of 506. Qatar finished in 2nd and Saudi Arabia finished 3rd.

Junior (15 & Under) National Team

Junior (15 & Under) National Team

Leading the way and finishing in 7th Place in Individual Category for the UAE was Rashed Al Emadi. Rashed had rounds of 91-96-98 for a championship total of 285.

Coming in 9th Place in the Individual Category for the Junior Team was Obaid Al Heloo. Obaid had rounds of 98-96-112 for a total of 306. Finishing off the Junior Team was Khalid Al Mutawa. Khalid finished in 11th Place in the Individual Category with rounds of 118-108-112 for a total of 328.

The Ladies and Junior National Teams will be back in action next weekend at the UAE Presidents Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. These players will also keep their games in shape by playing the EGF Order of Merit, UAE Club Events, and National Monthly Medals over the next few months.

The 2016 Senior & 18 Under GCC Golf Championship will take place in Qatar during the last week of February into the first week of March. A full report on these teams and event information will be released soon.

Follow the EGF on social media and on the EGF website to receive daily updates and news on UAE golf.

UAE Teams 2016 Lady Jr GCC

CASTRO & WOLF BECOME AN ULTIMATE PAIR

(Sharjah, UAE) – The steady golf from German Castro (St Quentin GC) and Michael Wolf (Sky 77 GC) proved to be too much for the rest of the field in the 6th edition of the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Clubs Ultimate Pairs Championship, played over the weekend of Friday 29th & Saturday 30th January 2016.

Group Winners

After guiding themselves through the first days Texas Scramble and Greensomes format they sat just behind the leaders on two under par, one stroke back. With the pair of Arun Tuli (SGSC) & Halim Husin (SGSC) looking very confident during day one the duo of Wolf and Castro knew day two needed to be special.

Throughout the course of the two days, Better Ball and Foursomes formats, the errors started to creep into the leaders rounds. The bright start for Mark Dupree and Rory Thomson ended in the Foursomes when the pairing carded some silly mistakes to ruin the chance of lifting the trophy in 2016. The horror story of the day came from team Tuli and Husin who carded a 7 on their finishing hole with all their hard work over the last two days been lost on the last. The door was opened for Castro and Wolf who produced a front nine of one under and returned home in two over 38 to take the Championship for the first time by 4 shots.

Returning in second place were regular playing partners Joe Moosa and Ben Mulvaney of the Emirates Golf Federation who couldn’t match the high level of golf shown by the winners over the two days but did come from 6th position overnight.

Third place went to the overnight leaders Arun Tuli and Halim Husin (SGSC) deserved at least that title for all the great golf they played over the 2 days.

With the top three positions settled the golfers were keen to know who had won the four different and testing formats played over the 36 holes. The first format of Texas Scramble went to good friends Vivian Verma (SGSC) and Sanjoy Das (SGSC) who produced a 32. The first day second 9 format of Greensomes went to Gurbax Singh (Emirates Golf Club) and Satnam Kaur of the EGF who combined extremely well to return a level par net score of 36, proving how difficult the Greensomes format is to play.

The second day’s front nine format of Better Ball went to Mark Dupree and Rory Thomson of SGSC also who battled well to shot three under 33 net. The final 9 hole format prizes being Foursomes went to coach and player partnership of Steve Chambers and Julian Panter (SGSC) who were delighted to see their early time paid off in the end after shooting 39 net.

UAE Ladies & Junior National Teams Set For GCC Golf Championship

(Dubai, UAE) – On February 2 – 4, 2016 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ladies and Junior (15 & Under) National Teams will travel to Bahrain to compete in the 2016 Ladies and Junior GCC Golf Championship. This three-day event will take place at the Royal Golf Club Bahrain.

Top – Left to Right: Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Reema Al Heloo,Tara & Al Marzooqi Bottom – Left to Right: Rashed Al Emadi, Obaid Al Heloo, and Khalid Al Mutawa

Top – Left to Right: Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Reema Al Heloo,Tara & Al Marzooqi
Bottom – Left to Right: Rashed Al Emadi, Obaid Al Heloo, and Khalid Al Mutawa

Set in Riffa, Bahrain this 18-hole championship course is designed by course architect and golf legend Colin Montgomerie. The Royal Golf Club is a challenging yet forgiving course that will play as a great venue for the Ladies and Junior teams.

Representing the Ladies team for the UAE will Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Reema Al Heloo, and Tara Al Marzooqi. After finishing in second place at the last GCC Golf Championship in Kuwait, the Ladies Team is looking to make an impact this week in Bahrain.

Leading the way on the Ladies team will be youngster Reema Al Heloo. Reema has made strong improvements in her game over the past 6 months and wins in the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit tournaments and the National Monthly Medals, Reema will have confidence heading into this week.

Playing for the Junior (15 & Under) team will be Rashed Al Emadi, Obaid Al Heloo, and Khalid Al Mutawa. This young but well practiced team will be the future of UAE Golf.

Making his first appearance in a GCC Golf Championship will be Rashed Al Emadi. A product of the EGF National Junior Development Program (NJDP) this will provide Rashed valuable experience for his golfing career.

Following the EGF on social media and on the EGF website to receive daily updates and results from the event.

EGF National Squad Trains With The Best at ETPI

(Dubai, UAE) – The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) National Squad was hard at work this past weekend (January 15-16, 2016) with the world renowned Jean Jacques Rivet at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Jean Jacques who is based at Terre Blanche near Nice in the South of France is a leader in the field of sports Bio Mechanics and works with many of the worlds leading sports men and women.

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Known to all as JJ, he works on maintaining a sound Bio mechanic platform which allows the body to make and efficient and consistent movement during the swing which in turn helps to prevent injuries and also to achieve better sequencing and foot grounding, which in turn creates better power and accuracy.

JJ and the National Squad were working with US Masters Champion Mike Weir, Raphael Jacquelin and Alexander Levy prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the first event of the Desert Swing.

The EGF National Squad works with JJ on a regular basis. The knowledge gained from these lessons is invaluable. This is timely training, as the UAE National Teams will be traveling Bahrain and Qatar for the GCC Championships in the next two months.

More information on the teams and the events will be released next week.

Yaslam Al Ameri Wins First National Monthly Medal of 2016

(Al Ain, UAE) – On January 16th 2016 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the first National Monthly Medal of 2016 at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC). With a field of 36 players and perfect weather conditions the competition was tough.

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Winners of the January 2016 National Monthly Medal at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club

AESGC is located in Oasis City, Al Ain. AESGC is an 18-hole Championship Course that offers a scenic and perplexing experience for all golfers. With yardages tipping out at 6,839 yards this challenging course is the perfect venue for the to start the New Year.

The overall winner of the January 2016 National Monthly Medal was Yaslam Al Ameri. Al Ameri not only won the overall competition with 39 Stableford points but he also won the best gross prize by shooting an 83.

The Runner-Up and winning after a count back, with 43 Stableford points was Abdulla Al Marzooqi. Rounding out the top three, in Third Place was Lora Al Marzooqi with 34 points.

Awards were also given based on handicap with an A-Division (0-14 handicap) and B-Division (14-24 handicap) winners. Winning the A-Division Prize was Mohammed Al Hajeri with 34 Stableford Points. Reema Al Heloo won the Division-B prize with 44 Stableford Points.

In the Junior Division, Reema Al Heloo was the clear winner by 6 points, with her 44 Stableford points. The Runner-Up was Alia El Emadi with 38 points and the Third Place prize went to Mohammed Al Hajeri with 35 Stableford points.

The event had On Course Challenges for both the Adults and Juniors that added competition to the day. Winning the Adult Longest Drive Award on Hole 3 was Yaslam Al Ameri. The winner of the Junior Longest Drive Award on Hole 10 was Mohammed Al Hajeri. Wrapping up the On Course Challenges, Reema Al Heloo won the Junior Nearest to the Pin Award on Hole 15.

Keep in touch with the EGF and the UAE National Golf Teams by following the Emirates Golf Federation on social media and on the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com.

EGF Partners With Tee & Putt Mini Golf for 2016

(Dubai, UAE) – The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) is starting the New Year by launching a new partnership Tee & Putt Mini Golf. With three different mini golf locations, Tee & Putt Mini Golf has facilities to impact the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE).

T&P Logo

One of the goals for the EGF is to provide benefits to its members with special offers linked to its membership. With this new partnership all EGF Members that produce their EGF card at one of the Tee & Putt Mini Golf facilities will receive 15% off a round of mini golf. Tee & Putt Mini Golf has also offered special Birthday offers for all EGF Members.

Tee & Putt Mini Golf offers three different “glow in the dark” mini golf courses. The three courses are located at Wafi Mall, Arabian Center, and Dalma Mall.

“This is a great way for the EGF Members to receive more from their membership. Added benefits like these will bring an added value to the EGF Membership”.

“This is also a great way for parents to introduce the game of golf to their kids. There is nothing better than a fun night out with the family playing Mini Golf”, said Robert Fiala EGF Sales and Marketing Manager.

Rashi Panjabi Director of Tee & Putt Mini Golf has this to say about the new partnership “We are very excited for this mutually beneficial partnership with Emirates Golf Federation. We look forward to working together with the golfing community. Tee & Putt is a versatile and ideal location for family outing, birthdays, team building, competitions, fairs, tournaments or any customized events that EGF members are looking for at an affordable price”

To view full disruption of the Tee & Putt Mini Golf partnership and benefits please revert to the EGF Website at www.egfgolf.com under the promotions page. While on the website check out the other great offers that EGF Members receive.

The National Junior Development Program Holds Winter Camp in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

(Abu Dhabi, UAE)– The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) National Junior Development Program (NJDP) has been in full swing over the winter break. From December 20th – 31st, 2015 the players from NJDP have been involved in daily training sessions in order to maintain a competitive edge on the golf course. The winter camp was held at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at Jumeirah Golf Estates as well Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi.

NJDP Coach David Condon & Mohammed S. AbdullaNational Team Performance Coach David Condon & Mohammed Abdulla Saeed discussing the slopes of a green

With national golfers residing in the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE) and actively participating in the National Junior Development Program, it is important for the EGF to provide training session in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

National Team Coach, Greg Holmes and National Team Performance Coach David Condon in additional to the ETPI Coaches Mark Gregson-Walters, Tim Backhouse, and Mathew Parker have made sure each player was training at a high level. The Juniors were exposed to all areas of player development which includes swing technique, all areas of short game, pre shot routines, course management, and practicing in measured conditions.

To find out more information on the National Junior Development Program please revert to the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com.

11-Year-Old Obaid Al Heloo Prevails In The Last National Monthly Medal of 2015

(Dubai, UAE) – As 2015 is coming to an end the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the last National Monthly Medal of the year at The Els Club on December 19, 2015. With the temperatures in the mid 20’s (Celsius) and clear blue skies the players could not ask for better conditions to end the year.

Winners of the December 2015 National Monthly Medal at The Els Club

Winners of the December 2015 National Monthly Medal at The Els Club

After winning the 2015 Maintenance Team Award at the MEGAs (Middle East Golf Awards) two days before, the course at The Els Club continued to amaze players. “It’s always great to play here at The Els Club. Every time we play on this course the greens and fairways are continuously in the best conditions’’, said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the EGF.

With the top prizes sponsored by Prosports International the players had more of an incentive to play hard this month. The overall winner of the December 2015 National Monthly Medal was National Team Junior Obaid Al Heloo. At 11 years old Obaid shot a career best 88 gross score. Obaid won the event and the Junior Division with 43 Stableford Points.

The Runner-Up and winning after a count back, with 34 Stableford points was Khalid Yousef. Rounding out the top three, in Third Place was Bader Abdulnoor Ahli with 34 points.

The Best Gross Award also went to Khalid Yousef. Khalid shot a 3-over-par, 75, with a front nine 38 and a back nine 37.

Awards were also given based on handicap with an A-Division (0-14 handicap) and B-Division (14-24 handicap) winners. Winning the A-Division Prize was Sultan Al Ali with 28 Stableford Points. Hamda Al Suwaidi won the Division-B prize with 29 Stableford Points.

In the Junior Division, Obaid Al Heloo was the clear winner by 10 points, with his 43 points. The Runner-Up was Reema Al Heloo with 33 points and the Third Place prize went to Mohammed Al Hajeri with 32 points.

The event had On Course Challenges for both the Adults and Juniors that added competition to the day. Winning the Adult Longest Drive Award on Hole 9 was Sohail Al Marzouqi. Winning the Adult Nearest to the Pin Award on Hole 11 was Hamda Al Suwaidi. The winner of the Junior Longest Drive Award on Hole 18 was Remma Al Heloo. Wrapping up the On Course Challenges, Alia Al Emadi won the Junior Nearest to the Pin Award on Hole 4.

The EGF would like to wish all of its Members and the UAE Golf Clubs a Happy Holidays. If you are an EGF Member remember to renew your EGF Membership before January 31, 2016. To renew or sign up revert to the EGF Website at www.egfgolf.com

Keep in touch with the EGF and the UAE National Golf Teams by following the Emirates Golf Federation on social media and at the website.

Morocco Triumphs at the 2015 Junior & Ladies Arab Golf Championship; A. Skaik Turns Heads for UAE

Arab Golf Championship logo(Al Ain, UAE) – On December 10th – 12th, 2015 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the 2015 Junior & Ladies Arab Golf Championship at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC). Morocco took two First Place finishes in the Team category as United Arab Emirates standout, Ahmed Skaik, competes with the best players at the Championship.

The 16th edition of Junior Arab Golf Championship and the 7th edition for Ladies Arab Golf Championship, under the Arab Golf Federation, had 10 countries with 73 players. The Championship hosted Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Morocco’s Gold Winning Teams (Left) 18 & Under and (Right) Ladies

Morocco’s 18 & Under Team

Adel Zarouni Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation had this to say after the Championship,  “The Emirates Golf Federation is proud to host Arab Youth, Junior, and Ladies Championship in Al Ain. This event shows the direction and strategy of the Federation in developing golf across all sectors. This tournament discovered a few unpolished jewels whom we will be developing for future champions”.

Morocco was the top winner as both, the 18 & Under and Ladies Team Categories were won by their teams. In the 18 & Under Division, Morocco was the clear winner with a team score of 435, winning by 10 shots. Tunisia took the Silver with a score of 445 and Egypt won the Bronze with a score of 452.

Saudi Arabia’s Saud Al-Sharf won the Individual category with rounds of 70-72-68 for an event total of 210, 2-under.

Ahmed Skaik

Ahmed Skaik

The UAE 18 & Under Team was made up of Ahmed Skaik, Mahmood Skaik , and Saeed Al Balooshi placed fifth in the Team category with a score of 472. Ahmad Skaik led the way with rounds of 80-71-72 for a total of 223. Ahmed placed sixth in the Individual category out of 25 players.

In the 15 & Under Division, Tunisia came out on top with a Team Score of 437. Just 4 shots back, Egypt won the Silver with a team score of 441. Coming in third place and winning the Bronze was Morocco with a score of 459.

Mehdi Ben Halima from Tunisia was the Individual winner in the 15 & Under Division after shooting rounds of 72-68-74 for a total of 214, 1-over.

The UAE 15 & Under Team was made up of Mohammed Al Hajeri, Obaid Al Heloo, and Khalil Kashwani. The team placed seventh with a score of 514. Top player and coming in ninth in the Individual category was Mohamed Al Hajeri, with rounds of 81-77-77 for a total of 237.

Morocco’s Gold Winning Ladies Team

Morocco’s Gold Winning Ladies Team

Showing their strength, Morocco won the Gold in the Ladies Team Division by one point, with a score of 459. With a score of 460, Tunisia won the Silver. Rounding out the Top Three with a score of 496 was Egypt.

Winning the Individual category in the Ladies Division was Kanzah Al Athari from Tunisia. Al Athari shot three rounds of 74 for an event total 222.

The UAE Ladies Team was made up of Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Tara Al Marzooqi, and Reema Al Heloo. Leading the way in the Individual category was Tara Al Marzooqi with rounds of 97-86-86 for an event total of 269.

Greg Holmes, UAE National Team Head Coach said, “It was great to see that the UAE Teams are performing better as there were noticeable improvements on the back of the National Junior Development Program which is now in place. We saw some great individual performances from Ahmed Skaik, Mohammed Al Hajeri, and Tara Al Marzooqi. I know that these performances will inspire the entire program to work harder moving forward. The EGF is extremely proud of all the team and the hard work put into this event”.

EGF To Host Junior and Ladies Arab Golf Championship in Al Ain

(Al Ain, Arab Golf Championship logoUAE) – The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) will be hosting the Junior and Ladies Arab Golf Championship at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club (AESGC) on December 10th – 12th, 2015. This three day event will have three different representing divisions – 18 & Under, 15 & Under, and Ladies – from 10 different Arab Countries.

The 16th edition of Junior Arab Golf Championship and the 7th edition for Ladies Arab Golf Championship falls under the Arab Golf Federation. The following countries – Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi, Tunisia, and host country United Arab Emirates (UAE) will all be in competition. With 10 countries and 3 divisions the championship will have a total of 70 players.

2014 UAE Arab Golf Championship Team

2014 UAE Arab Golf Championship Team

The host club, Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club is located in Oasis City, Al Ain. AESGC is an 18-hole Championship Course that offers a scenic and perplexing experience for all golfers. With yardages tipping out at 6,839 yards this challenging course is the perfect venue for these skilled young amateur golfers.

The UAE will have three different division represented with an extra player in the Individual Ladies category. Playing on the 18 & Under team will be Ahmed Skaik, Obaid Al Heloo, and Saeed Al Balooshi. The 15 & Under Team will be composed of Mohamed Al Hajiri, Mahmood Skaik, and Khalil Kashwani.

Last years Runner Up Winners, the Ladies Team will have Dr. Rabab Al Haj, Tara Al Marzooqi, and Reema Al Heloo. Hamda Al Suwaidi will be playing for the UAE in the Individual Ladies category.

The three-day event will have Gold and Silver Winners for the Team and Individual Categories in all three divisions. For the Team Category, the final score will consist of the top two gross scores, out of three players each round, totaled after three rounds. The Individual Category will be scored as the best individual gross score from each division.

The Championship will kick off Wednesday night, December 9th, with an Opening Ceremony that will be graced by the Arab Golf Federation and Emirates Golf Federation Chairman H.E. Sheik Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.

Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Emirates Golf Federation had this to say about the event. “This tournament builds bridges of understanding and brotherhood to all representing countries of the Arab golf world. We are delighted to host the Junior and Ladies Arab Championship in the UAE and feel that Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club is a great facility for the Championship. We are very happy to see such a large large number of male and female players who represent the future of Arab golf”.