On May 18-19, 2017 the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) held the 2017 EGF Order of Merit Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. This prestigious event hosted over 30 elite amateur golfers across three different divisions.
2016 – 2017 Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit Winners
The EGF Order of Merit Championship had representing divisions for Men, Ladies, and Juniors. The Championship was played over a two day, 36-hole, Strokeplay format, on the newly redesigned Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club, golf course. The field was composed of the top amateur golfers in each division that supported and competed in the 2016 – 2017 EGF Order of Merit Season.
14-year-old, Josh Hill from Jumeirah Golf Estates was the Champion of the Men’s Division. After shooting an impressive 68 (two-under-par) first round, Hill battled the winds on day two to fire a 75 (five-over-par) for a championship total of 143 (three-over-par). Making the leap into the Men’s Division for the championship after winning the season’s Boys Gross Division, Hill capped off a strong 2016 – 2017 United Arab Emirates (UAE) golf season with this victory.
Finishing as the Runner-Up in the Men’s Division was Tariq El Chaid. Tariq shot rounds of 72 – 73 for a Championship total of 145, just two shots behind the leader. After a final round count back UAE National Team Player Ahmed Skaik took home Third Place prize. Skaik also won Third Place in the overall Order of Merit season for 2016 – 2017.
Successfully defending her title for the third year in a row in the Ladies Division was 16-year-old Kim Chiang. Playing out of the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Kim shot rounds of 68 – 73 for a championship total of 141 (one-over-par). Kim’s first round of 68 (two-under-par) tied the course record at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club. While playing the EGF Order of Merit Championship Kim has set two course records, once at The Els Club in 2015 and again last year at Jumeirah Golf Estates (Earth Course) in 2016.
Anastasia Bakal was the Runner-Up in the Ladies Division. Playing out of the Els Club, Anastasia shot rounds 73 – 76 for a championship total of 149. Rounding out the top-three, coming in Third Place was Sara Engsig. Sara shot rounds of 76 – 75 for a 151 total.
The Junior Division was played with the Girls and Boys golfers combined. This division was full of talent as Max Cashmore from Jumeirah Golf Estates was the 2017 Champion. Cashmore fired rounds of 70 – 72. He started the championship off on a positive note as he chipped in for birdie on the second hole during his first round. Cashmore was one shot back after round one but with a solid second round in tough conditions, Max was crowned the junior champ with a championship total of 142, two-over-par.
The Runner-Up in the Junior Division was Arjun Gupta. Gupta shot rounds of 69 – 75 for a championship total of 144, two shots off the lead. Winning the Third Place prize was Sasha Sparacino. Sasha had consecutive rounds of 73 for a 146 total.
The EGF is proud to announce that the winner of the Men’s Order of Merit Season (Steve Kelbrick) and the winner of the Ladies Gross Order of Merit Season (Alison Muirhead) along with the winners of the Men’s (Josh Hill) and Ladies (Kim Chiang) Divisions from this week’s championship will be traveling to the Singha Thailand Amateur Golf Championship at the end of this year.
After the tournament, the EGF hosted an award ceremony where the winners of the EGF Order of Merit Championship and the winners of the EGF Order of Merit Season received their well-deserved prizes. To see all of the results from the EGF Order of Merit Season, please revert to the EGF website at www.egfgolf.com.
The EGF would like to thank all Golf Clubs, partners, and EGF Members for a successful 2016 – 2017 Order of Merit Season and Championship.
 held the 2017 EGF Order of Merit Championship at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club){kind=link}