The Middle East’s ‘best golf course’ has first order of merit event of 2011

This weekend, Yas Links Abu Dhabi hosted Abu Dhabi’s strongest amateur field at the Men’s Open 2011, which saw more than 100 local and international hopefuls battle it out for the UAE Order of Merit ranking points.

The event, which saw a mix of players from the Emirates, the UK, Europe and the US, as well as golfers from Asia, Australia and New Zealand, was due to be contested over two days on the Middle East’s ‘best golf course’ but due to adverse weather on conditions on day 1 the format was reduced to one day.

During the Men’s Open 2011, Yas Links welcomed the strongest amateur field to grace Abu Dhabi’s fairways, as more than 50 players with below four handicaps including local talent Khaled Yousuf (scratch), who recently took part in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Abdullah Al Musharrekh (scratch) and brother Ahmed Al Musharrekh.

Commenting on the first full 18 hole Men’s Open 2011 at Yas Links, Chris White, General Manager of Aldar Golf, developers of Yas Links, said: “It is an honor to host such an accomplished group of players. The course is in outstanding condition with fast greens and will provide a great test of golf.”

Congratulations to our Nett Winner Juan Carlos Alfonso with a fantastic Nett score of 66. 3rd place gross went to Joel Neale with a gross 74 +2, 2nd best gross went to talented local Ahmed Al Mussharekh. Runaway winner and Sport 360 Player of the tournament was Miki Mirza with a gross score of 71.

“It has been a very exciting month for Yas Links, hosting the illustrious Emirates Airline Invitational Tournament only 10 days ago, which attracted some of golf’s top-ranking players, including World No.1, Lee Westwood, reigning US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell, and two-time World Golf Championship winner, Darren Clarke, as well as some keen, famous amateurs from the worlds of entertainment, commerce and sport, including former England cricketer, Allan Lamb, and ex-international footballers Jamie Redknapp and Ruud Gullit,” Chris added.

This week, Yas Links has also been visited by World No. 2, Germany’s Martin Kaymer, after winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship for a record third time in four years, cricket legend, Brian Lara and England’s Paul Casey.