Dubai: FedEx Express hosted the third annual FedEx Golf Challenge 2011 in the UAE recently. The event took place at Al Badia Golf Club and the final winner, Eduardo Galeppini, will be granted a ‘once-in-a-lifetime' chance to play 18 holes with one of the top 125 PGA Tour professionals at the Barclays Pro-Am 2012, which is the first playoff round of the PGA Tour.
The FedEx Golf Challenge includes qualifying rounds in 10 countries around the world, including the UAE, with the winners moving on to a playoff at the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links course in California in November. The winner from the UAE qualifiers will join winners from the US, UK, Portugal, Peru, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, China and the Dominican Republic to battle it out for the FedEx Cup.
Initially launched in the US, the tournament has become truly global in five short years, with events to be held in 30 international locations in 2011.
The UAE winner will be accommodated at a luxury hotel and will enjoy two days of professional golf at Hill Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links venues.
Brown merits top spot
Dubai: Lindsay Brown provided a perfect finish to her amazingly consistent performance during the season to win the Emirates Golf Federation's Order of Merit titles in both gross and net divisions.
The talented golfer from Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club saw off a determined challenge from Sana Tufail of Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the season-ending Yas Links Ladies Open to confirm her credentials as the official number one woman golfer in the country.
Playing off an impressive three handicap, Brown shot a gross 36-hole total of 146, beating Tufail by one shot in a close finish at the Yas Links course. With this victory, her fifth in the nine-event Order of Merit, Brown took her tally to 240 points, a good 13 points ahead of Tufail. Nasha Sarkari of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club finished a distant third with 179.5 points.
The UAE's Eida Al Muhairbi added another feather to her cap, raking in a top-10 finish in both gross and net divisions.
The top 16 gross winners will compete in the Scratch Matchplay Championship to be held in Saadiyat Beach Golf Club from May 20 to 21.
Black tee challenge
Emirates Golf Club & Jumeirah invites male UAE professional & amateur golfers to take on the ultimate challenge, play both the Faldo and Majlis Courses from the Championship Black Tees under medal conditions.
The handicap limit for the Black Tee Challenge is 14. The tournament will be held in strokeplay format. Each participant must hold an official Club or EGF Handicap. If entries of 14 and below are oversubscribed there will be a handicap ballot.
Round One at the Faldo Course will be on Friday, May 13, while Round 2 at the Majlis Course will be Saturday, May 14.
Closing dates for entries is Sunday, May 8. The price for EGC members is Dh 390, professionals/juniors Dh390, DG Members Dh675, EGF Members Dh725 and non-members Dh775.
Entry fee is inclusive of the 36-hole tournament, golf carts, brunch both days, prize presentation and snacks.
Summer surprise
The Arabian Ranches Golf Club has launched its summer golf memberships. You can enjoy great offers for four months this summer including unlimited access to the 18-hole Championship Golf Course and Par 3 course, complimentary use of the practice facilities, great discounts and priority reservations for all golf and social events at the club. Subscribe before May 15 and receive two weeks' free membership (from May 16 - May 31) and a 30-minute golf lesson.
The price for single golf membership at Dh3,995 and junior golf membership at Dh1,295 during the period between May 1 - September 30. For further information please call 04-366 3000 or email Dilanthid@arabianranchesgolf.ae or log onto www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
