Thomas Nesbitt (ADGC), representing the home golf club, shot a final round level par 72, for a total of two under par 214 over the National Course, to win the Boys 21 and Under Division in the 2023 Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. He had rounds of 72, 70 and 72, over the three-day event.
Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour
The 54-hole event is associated with the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour and is a qualifying event for the R&A supported World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
Nesbitt who recently turned 16 years-old, led by five shots after two rounds. He had four birdies which were matched by four bogeys along with ten pars in his final round to beat runner-up 18 year-old Welsh International golfer Joe Jones by an eventual nine shots.
The fast-finishing Dominic Morton (Trump International GC) shot the best round of the day, a gross 70 to climb upto the bronze podium position with a three-round total of eight over par 224. Morton dropped a shot on his opening hole today (Thursday), but then rallied with birdies on holes 2, 13 and 14, with all the other 14 holes completed in par, for the equal best round of the week.
Won by three
In the Girls 18 and Under Division, Hannah Alan (EGC) won by three shots with rounds of 77, 72 and 75.
Her final round contained four gross birdies, with ten birdies in total over the week.
The Boys 14 and Under Division was dominated by 13 year-old Alexander Rushika (Jumeirah Golf Estates) with rounds of 76, 75 and 75, played from the Green Tee Course. This gave Rushika an impressive seven stroke winning margin from Gustaf Larsson (The Els Club).
Kieren Pratt, Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi Golf Club said at the conclusion of the tournament, ‘We have all been impressed with the standard of golf and etiquette from all the players over the three tournament days and the entire week. Many of these players do not get the opportunity to play 54-hole events, especially medal play, over a championship course.
Golfing career progress
'Congratulations to all, especially the prize winners. We have three worthy champions in Thomas, Hannah and Alexander. We will be watching how their golfing careers progress, both in the UAE and wider afield. We will start immediately the planning for next year’s tournament, to make this inaugural tournament bigger and better and we especially look forward to welcoming Robert Rock to the tournament in 2024 in a hosting capacity as well as all this year’s players and others as the positive message grows in the golfing community, both locally and internationally of this tournament.’
Final 54-hole Results (Par 72. 7,283 Yards)
Boys Division (Age 21 and Under Division)
T. Nesbitt (ADGC) 72. 70. 72. 214
J. Jones (Wales) 77. 73. 73. 223
D. Morton (Trump International Golf Club) 76. 78. 70. 224
A. Larsson (The Els Club) 71. 76. 78. 225
J. Gurdenli (Turkey) 81. 69. 80. 230
J. Bibby (The Els Club) 80. 74. 78. 232.
Boys Division (Age 14 and Under)
A. Rushika (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 76. 75. 75. 226
G. Larsson (The Els Club) 82. 76. 75. 233
V. Larsson (The Els Club) 82. 74. 78. 234
G. Roberts (ADGC) 83. 72. 82. 237.
Girls Division (Age 18 and Under)
H. C. Alan (EGC) 77. 72. 75. 224
Z. Kanokpornvasin (Saadiyat Beach GC) 76. 77. 74. 227
D. Kim (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 74. 83. 86. 243
S. Ali (Emirates Golf Federation) 87. 78. 82. 247
