Rick Hessing (Netherlands) leads after the first round of the 54 hole 2023 Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah Amateur Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club, RAK, UAE.
Hessing opened up from tee one with a bogey and birdie on holes two and three to be out in level par 36. A strong back nine with birdies on holes 11, 14 and 17 with no bogeys saw him home in 33 and a two shot lead.
In second place is Simon Dunn (Tower Links), on one under par. Dunn was also out in level par 36, then dropped shots on holes 10 and 11 but responded brilliantly with a birdie – eagle on 13 and 14. Four pars followed for Dunn to hand in a 71.
13 year old Louis Klein (Aut) is in sole third on level par.
There are 42 golfers in the field with the golf course playing from 7,000 yards, that is a qualifying round for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) Men’s Division, as well as event number eight of 17 of the 2022 - 2023 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit.
Leading the Net Division playing off his +3 handicap is Hessing (72) one shot ahead of Raghav Gulati (Dubai Creek) playing off scratch.
The gross winner of the tournament will receive an invite to a Challenge Tour event in the UAE later in the year, feeder tour of the DP World Tour.
The second round tee times will see players out in reverse score order from 7.10 am with the leaders out last at 9.10 am with play in threeballs.
First Round Leaders (Par 72)
R. Hessing (Ned) 69
S. Dunn (Tower Links) 71
L. Klein (Aut) 72
R. Gulati (DCGYC) 73
T. Nesbitt (ADGC) 74
