UAE PGA's Al Naboodah Junior Series Bags New Initiative Award

The Middle East Golfer Awards, hosted by ITP and Middle East Golfer magazine, recently recognised the UAE PGA's efforts in developing the regions' Junior Golfers by awarding the UAE PGA's Al Naboodah Junior Series with Best New Initiative of 2009.

"On behalf of the UAE PGA Committee, its members and the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group we are exceptionally proud of the Junior Series, and are honoured to receive this award in acknowledgement of the implementation and management of this programme for the benefit of our Junior Golfers" said Stephen Hubner, UAE PGA Tournament Director.

Launched in 2009, the Junior Series is open to all budding golfers aged between 6 to 14 years who are currently enrolled in golf clinics and golf schools run by UAE Golf Clubs. Each tour... read more >>

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Dubai Amateurs win Golden Ticket and a Golfers Dream

6th Jan 10 at 10:01am

Dubai golfers James Collins (hcp 15) and Amelia McKee (hcp 26) will get a dream chance to play alongside some of the best players in the world, including Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy after winning ‘Golden Tickets’ for the star-studded Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah taking place at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on January 25.

One adult and one junior spot were up for grabs for the best net scores at official qualifying event, the Worldwide Golf Midweek Open, held on January 5 at Arabian Ranches Golf Club and James and Amelia, who is just 10 years old, seized the golden opportunity with respective scores of net 69 and net 65. Amelia holds the 2008 UAE PGA Series overall girls winner and, under the tutelage of The Address Montgomerie Dubai’s Golf Coach Rhys Beecher, is leading her field again this year.

Worldwide Golf, the Middle East’s No. 1 golf publication and official media partner of The Invitational hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, offered local golfers a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to play alongside the stars of The European Tour in the region’s most prestigious ‘invitation only’ pro-am.

The qualifying event was played in an 18-hole individual strokeplay format with a maximum handicap allowance of 18 for men, 24 for ladies and 28 for juniors.

With such a tantalising prize on offer, competition in the Midweek Open was even more fierce than usual and some fine scores were returned but it was James and Amelia who proved the pick of the bunch.  The pair will now become VIPs for the day, partnering a Tour professional in a world-class field at Dubai Creek later this month. 

Mike Gallemore, Editor-in-Chief at Worldwide Golf said: “We’ve always been committed to the grass roots game in the Middle East and the Midweek Open Series was started to offer players in the region the opportunity to experience tournament golf at an affordable price. It’s absolutely wonderful to now be able to give two of those local golfers the chance to play side by side with the best players in the world.”