Dubai: Teenage prodigy Julia Alhemoud spoke of her delight after being handed a special invitation to compete in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters being under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, from December 1 to 7.
The 14-year-old Kuwaiti, who play off a handicap of one, will join world number three Stacy Lewis, defending champion Shanshan Feng and the seasoned Laura Davies among other elite golfers from around the world in the season-ending Ladies European Tour event at Emirates Golf Club.
“I’m just excited to get out there and play against such a world-class field, it’s awesome,” said Julia who features regularly in the PGA Junior Series and the American Junior Golf Association Tournaments during the summer to hone her competitive edge.
“I am grateful to golf in DUBAi for the invitation. Hopefully, I can go out there and be competitive. Whatever the outcome, it will be a great learning curve for me. I am sure I will return home with memories to cherish for a long time to come,” said Julia, the winner of the GCC Faldo Junior Series in 2011.
Having played in the Jakarta Ladies Open, Thailand Amateur Open and Arab Games, Julia knows what it takes to compete at the top level. “If I play to my potential, I can expect a good result. I am looking forward to the challenge and meeting some of the top players, said the supremely-gifted Julia, the youngest player in the field.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, believes invitations to the region’s talent will spur them to take the sport seriously and work harder on their game. “We try and rotate invitations each year so that everyone who has achieved a certain level gets first-hand experience of what it takes to compete at this level of golf.
“I wish Julia the very best and hope her presence in the world-class field will motivate other emerging players to aim for greater things in life”
