EGF Presents NJDP to AMSI Schools

On May 18-20, 2015 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) traveled to three different AMSI schools to host presentations informing local families on the National Junior Development Program (NJDP). As part of the EGF the NJDP has a goal to identify and develop young United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Golfers while building good character through the structure of the rules from the game of golf.

Excited Students at the EGF National Junior Develop Program Presentations

Excited Students at the EGF National Junior Develop Program Presentations

With the help from Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI) the EGF was able to introduce the game of golf to over 40 different Emirati families. The EGF met with School Administrators and Physical Education Teachers from the International School of Arts & Science (ISAS), Al Mawakeb School – Al Garhoud and Al Mawakeb School – Al Barsha to explain and start the process of bringing golf into schools.

The EGF enlightened families on the benefits of golf for kids from the active lifestyle, to learning etiquette & integrity, and gaining personal reasonability, all in some of the internationally renowned, safe and well supervised courses.

By having the support from The Ministry of General Authority of Youth & Sport Welfare, the UAE Government, and the UAE Golf Clubs the opportunity that these National Golfers have is invaluable.

The Secretary General of the EGF, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, had this to say regarding the three-day presentations. “These visits were the first of many steps that the EGF is taking in order to build interest from National Golfers. This is a great way to get golf into schools across the UAE. It is a goal at the EGF to identify and develop UAE National Golfers. By reaching out to the UAE Schools is one way of achieving that goal. On behalf of the EGF we would like to thank AMSI schools for their time and effort for making these visits possible”.

Mr. Muhieddine Soubra, Principal at ISAS, stated: “Those national initiatives and drives places a share of the responsibility on us as school leaders and lead community players, and on our students and their families. We must all support such initiatives that inspire our young students to realize their full potential.”

With the golf season coming to an end the EGF will stay in communication with these families for possible summer camps. Starting in October the EGF will be reaching out to more schools while continuing the process of identifying UAE National Golfers.

JGE Honors HH Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi & EGF Board Members With Honorary Memberships

On Thursday, May 14th 2015 HH Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and the rest of the EGF Board Members were presented with Honorary Memberships at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE). This gift of appreciation is to show gratitude for the contribution to JGE and to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golf.

The EGF Board Members at JGE and ETPI

The EGF Board Members at JGE and ETPI

Upon arrival to the golf club HH Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi was welcomed in customary royal fashion by JGE Senior Management, Abdulaziz Bukhatir, Executive Director and Neal Graham, General Manager, Club Operations. His Highness was then presented with his Honorary Membership. Following the presentation the EGF Board Members where taken on a VIP guided tour of the JGE property.

The tour consisted of a complete excursion through the recently built clubhouse, courtyards, and locker rooms. Once in the locker room the JGE Staff presented His Highness with his personalized branded locker.

After the clubhouse all delegates were carted to the famously know European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) where EGF Board Members got to see first hand why so many European Tour players train at this facility. With state of the art technology in the swing studios, putting labs, and fitness areas it is easy to understand the influence that this facility will have in the UAE.

“To be here and presented the Honorary Membership is a true privilege. We at the EGF and the UAE National Golf Teams are extremely excited to work with JGE and the ETPI to develop the game of golf in the UAE. This is one of the best facilities in the world and we hope that this golf club will transform golf in this country for many years to come”, said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the EGF.

Following the tour the EGF had a two-hour board meeting in the clubhouse’s boardroom to discuss upcoming events and other UAE Golf material. To see photos from this day and to stay updated with the EGF follow the Federation on social media.

Final 2014 – 2015 EGF Order of Merit Results; UAE Amateur Golfers Prepare for the EGF OOM Championship

The last Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Order of Merit (OOM) event has ended and results are calculated. Now, top amateur and junior golfers across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have less then two weeks to prepare for the EGF OOM Championship

Winners of the 2013 – 2014 EGF Order of Merit Season and Championship

Winners of the 2013 – 2014 EGF Order of Merit Season and Championship

The EGF OOM Championship is a two-day event that will take place on May 22-23, 2015 at The Els Club in Sports City, Dubai. This event, presented by EGF, will have representing divisions for Men’s, Women’s, Girl’s, and Boy’s golfers. The fields will be composed of the top 30 golfers from each division that supported and competed in the EGF OOM events all season long.

The EGF OOM Men’s Division, played in a Gross format, was composed of 13 events, starting on October 17, 2014 and ending on April 11, 2015. These two-day, 36-hole, events proved to deliver a test for every golfer participating.

Rayhan Thomas playing out of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club was the clear-cut winner in the EGF OOM Men’s Division. With 192 Gross points, Thomas is a strong favorite going into the EGF OOM Championship. Thomas had one First Place finish, four Second Place finishes, and three Third Place finishes in the eight events that he competed in. Placing in the top three in every OOM event that he played Thomas will have all eyes on him at the OOM Championship.

Finishing as the Runner-Up in the EGF OOM Men’s Division was Sidney De Souza. Representing the Emirates Golf Federation, De Souza had a total of 148 Gross Points for the season. Taking the Third Place position was Tiago Lobo playing out of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club with 129 points.

In the EGF OOM Ladies’ Division there are two different scoring categories. There is a Gross and Net category. The Net category includes the calculation of the golfers handicap. The ladies started the season on November 7, 2014 and finished on May 1, 2015. There were a total of 11, one-day, 18-hole, events throughout the season.

The Ladies’ categories had mirroring result at the top of the Leaderboards. Taking the top honors of the Ladies Division in both the Gross and Net categories was Anastasia Bakal, playing out of The Els Club. Anastasia had 221 total Goss Points and 171 Net Points. Playing at her home course Anastasia will be the clear favorite at the EGF OOM Championship.

Kim Chiang, playing out of Arabian Ranches Golf Club, took the Runner-Up position in the Gross category and Net category. Chiang had 206 Gross Points and 120.3 Net Points. Wrapping up the top-three spots and placing Third in both the Gross and Net categories was Alkyonie Aharidis playing out of The Els Club. Alkyonie had 105.5 Gross Points and 102.5 Net Points.

The EGF OOM Junior Divisions consists of two divisions, and two categories for each division. Both, Boys and Girls Divisions had a Gross and Net category. The season started on October 11, 2014 and ended on April 25, 2015. Each division played in a total of 9, one-day, 18-hole, events.

Winning the EGF OOM Boys Gross Division was Aarkesh Bhatia playing out of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Bhatia had one win, and three top-three finished during the season. Bhatia finished with a total of 190.25 Gross Points.

Tiago Lobo, playing out of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, finished as the Runner-Up in the Gross category with a total of 184.75 points.

Finishing in Third Place in both the Gross and Net categories was Dhruv Nair with a total of 143.5 Gross Points and 125.3 Net Points. Nair plays out of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

In the EGF OOM Boys Net Division, Zubin Chandra came in First Place with a total of 135.6. The Runner-Up by only 3 tenths of a point was Arjun Gupta with a total of 135.3 points. Both players play out of the Emirates Golf Club.

With the same format, the EGF OOM Girls Divisions, Chantal El Chaib was the winner of the Gross Category and the Runner-Up in the Net Category. Chantal had 161 Gross Points and 149.3 Net Points. Chantal plays out the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club.

Aashaka Desai, playing out of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, finished as the Runner-Up in the Gross category with a total of 151 points.

Finishing in Third Place in the Gross category and First Place in the Net category, Chloe Trinh played in every OOM event throughout season. Playing out of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Chloe had a total of 148.5 Gross Points and 198.5 Net Points.

Winning the Third Place prize in the Net category was Natalli Gupta. Natalli plays her golf out of the Emirates Golf Club. She collected a total of 135.5 Net Points.

To find the complete results of the seven month long OOM season please visit the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com.

Now that the 2014-2015 EGF OOM season has ended golfers are gearing up for the EGF Order of Merit Championship at The Els Club. The EGF is excited to present this prestigious event as the winners OOM season and winners of the OOM Championship will be celebrated after the second round.

To follow the EGF OOM Season and Championship find the EGF on social media. The EGF will post daily updates and photos from the event.

Mohammed Saeed Abdulla Wins Final National Monthly Medal of the 2014 – 2015 Season; A. Al Musharrekh Wins Best Gross

On Saturday, May 9th 2015 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the final National Monthly Medal of the 2014 – 2015 Season at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Winning the Overall Stableford competition was National Junior Mohammed Saeed Abdulla.

Winners of the 2015 May National Monthly Medal at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Winners of the 2015 May National Monthly Medal at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

This final event of the season saw one of the largest fields of the 2014 – 2015 season with 35 players. Coming out on top and winning the event with a Stableford Score of 37 points was National Junior Mohammed Saeed Abdulla.

The Runner-Up after a back-nine count back with 35 points was National Team player Ahmed Skaik. Rounding out the top three coming in Third Place was Saleh Al Ameri with 35 points.

The Best Gross Award went to Abdulla Al Musharrekh. Al Musharrekh shot a 3-over-par, 74. With a front nine score of 36 and a back nine score of 38, Al Musharrekh had 12 pars and two birdies.

Winning the Division A (0-14 Handicap) Award was Mohammed Al Musharrekh with 33 points. The winner of the Division B (15-28 Handicap) Award was Faisal Al Sayegh with 35 points.

During the event there were a number of On Course Challenges up for grabs. Taking home the Adult Longest Drive Award was Rashid Hamood. Winning the Adult Nearest to the Pin Award was Mohammed Al Musharrekh. The winner of the Junior Longest Drive Award was Rashid Al Emadi. Wrapping up the On Course Challenges, Khalil Kashwani won the Junior Nearest to the Pin Award.

During the award presentation the EGF took time out to recognize the accomplishments of the UAE National Golf Teams from 2014. Ahmed Skaik, Abdulla Al Qubaisi, and Saeed Al Balooshi were acknowledged for winning the Gold Medal in the Team Gross category for the 2014 GCC Golf Championships (18-Under Division). Khalid Yousuf was acknowledged for winning the Silver Medal in the Individual Gross category at the 2014 Arab Golf Championship (Men’s Division). Each player received a certificate and trophy from the Ministry of General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare.

It was great to see these national events grow throughout the year. Not only are these events representing the UAE but it’s also shows the growth that the game of golf is having in this country. Since this was the final national event of the season, these players will take the next few months off from competition. To stay up to date EGF and the UAE National Golf Teams follow the Emirates Golf Federation on social media.

EGF to Host Final National Monthly Medal of the 2014 – 2015 Season at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

On Saturday, May 9th 2015 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) will host the final National Monthly Medal of the 2014 – 2015 Season at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Since November 2014, the EGF has hosted four National Monthly Medal as well as the UAE Presidents Cup. These events are composed of an all Emeriti field with all ages and genders represented.

Winners of the 2015 March National Monthly Medal at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, & Golf Club

Winners of the 2015 March National Monthly Medal at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, & Golf Club

Over the past the past 6 months the EGF has seen the fields grow in the total number of players, especially in the junior fields. This weekend’s event will be one of the largest events of the season with 35 players. The final National Monthly Medal will see 9 Juniors, 4 Ladies and the remaining players making up the Men’s Division.

The event will start at 1:30pm with a Shotgun Start. To stay up to date with the event and with the EGF follow the Emirates Golf Federation on social media.

Thabit Triumphs in 21st DDF UAE Nationals Cup

The 21st staging of the Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup attracted 38 entries and it was Omar Thabit who clinched top prize with 37 points over the Faldo course at Emirates Golf Club on Saturday, 2nd May. Thabit’s one-under par tally was just enough to hold off the challenge of Abdulla Al Marzooqi who was one shot back on 36 points. A card count back decided third place overall with Faisal Al Sayegh producing a better back nine within his 34-point tally.

Dubai Duty Free’s Senior Vice President- Corporate Communications, Salah Tahlak and Sinead El Sibai, Vice President – Marketing presents the trophy to Omar Thabit , winner of the 21st Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup.

Dubai Duty Free’s Senior Vice President- Corporate Communications, Salah Tahlak and Sinead El Sibai, Vice President – Marketing presents the trophy to Omar Thabit , winner of the 21st Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup.

The gross competition was also keenly contested with Ahmed Skaik and Hassan Musharrekh both signing for scores of 79, Skaik’s better inward nine gave him the trophy for top gross on the day.

It was excellent to witness junior boys and girls participating as well as lady golfers from the region and in the junior section Mohammed Abdullah fired a fantastic 43 points to win the top junior prize with Khalil Kashwani in second on 40 points.

Commenting on the UAE Nationals Cup, Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications of Dubai Duty Free said: “The annual Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup has been running for 21 years and the tournament has grown popular among UAE National golfers and attracted junior Emirati golfers as well. Thanks to all our participants and to my team at Dubai Duty Free and to the Emirates Golf Club for organising this wonderful event and look forward to seeing you all next year.”

Also in the prizes on an enjoyable day were Hassan Musharrekh for his accuracy on the nearest the pin prize hole 8 with Mohammed Abdulla taking home the longest drive award on the par 5 sixteenth.

At the prize presentation, the winners were joined by Dubai Duty Free’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications. Salah Tahlak and Sinead El Sibai, Vice President- Marketing.