As a cold weather front continued in the UAE the assembled field of Professionals were faced with early morning temperatures colder than usual and a stiff breeze making playing conditions testing on the Sharjah layout.

The Dubai PGA Open was played last week at The Els Club with another healthy field of players assembled to compete for the trophy.

The final UAE PGA event for 2011 was played today at Arabian Ranches Golf Club. With the usual calm being replaced by a testing wind the course provided a stern challenge for the assembled field of professionals Setting the early pace in the field were Ryan Smith (L), Paul Hubner (L) and Ross McArthur (-1) who made the turn just behind Martin Hamer leading the field at 2 under par courtesy of birdies at the two Par 5’s on the front 9.

With the wind ever present on the back nine Martin, who recently arrived in the UAE and playing in his first Order of Merit event, kept ahead of the pack despite an eagle, double bogey turnaround on holes 13 and 14 to set the target of level par in the clubhouse one ahead of Ross McArthur who finished with a 73 (+1) who was left to rue a costly 18th hole bogey.
 
The full results of today’s event and the updated Order of Merit are attached for your information. The current matchplay standings are also included as a reminder for the 2nd round ties to be played by mid January.
 
On behalf of the UAE PGA our sincere thanks to Elliott Gray, General Manager and to Francois Wolfaardt, Director of Golf and to all the staff who made the players welcome at today’s event. The course once again presented a challenge for all the players and we look forward to returning again to Arabian Ranches Golf Club.
 
Our thanks also to our Patrons Acuma who have recently been joined by Skandia, we look forward to launching details of a new event in the new year following recent discussions with our Patrons.

The 1st round of the UAE PGA championship was played today with invited amateurs for a pro-am format.

Ghantoot Polo Club's Alan Johnson carded a 2-under 70 to claim the title in the Abu Dubai PGA Open, held at the Gary Player designed 7,100 yard Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Wednesday April 6th.