Moroccan amateurs Marjan and El Maouas will make their professional debut in the 2014 MENA Golf Tour
Driven by the ambition of taking their game to the next level, top-ranked Moroccan amateurs Ahmed Marjan and Mustapha El Maouas will make their professional debut when the 2014 MENA Golf Tour gets under way with back-to-back events in Morocco next week.
The well-known duo on the tour has already provided a glimpse of their burgeoning talent by winning the amateur Order of Merit titles with Marjan achieving the feat in the inaugural edition of the tour in 2011 and El Maouas claiming the top honour last year.
“It has always been my dream to turn pro, so I decided to go for it and be confident. It wasn’t a really tough decision since I felt like I’m ready to take the next step in my career,” said Marjan ahead of next week’s Royal D’Anfa Open — his first tournament as a professional.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of my amateur career, and winning the MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit title was certainly the highpoint since the achievement gave a confidence boost and motivated me to work harder on my game,” said the 20-year-old from Rabat, who finished a creditable fourth on the MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit last year
His compatriot El Maouas will be counting on his “memorable experience” of playing in the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic to mount a strong challenge when he competes in the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open, starting on March 24 in Rabat, to launch his professional career.
The promising Moroccan, who earned a special invitation to compete in the European Tour event by virtue of claiming the 2013 MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit title for amateurs, featured in a classy line-up led by world number one Tiger Woods and top-ranked European Henrik Stenson, an experience he described as “out this world.”
“It’s a different world out there. There is so much to learn from the hard work and dedication the top professionals put in to what they love,” said El Maouas, who may have missed out on making the half-way cut, but returned home richer in experience and confidence.
“You can’t put a price on what you learn from these world-class events; it’s an opportunity money can’t buy. And I feel like I am a better player now and have a better grasp on the game. It is hard work and will require time,” said 23-year-old whose best finish in a MENA Golf Tour event is solo eighth at the 2013 Royal Dar Es Salam Open in Rabat.
Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour: “Golf is a game of confidence and competence. It’s nice to see young players from the region coming up through the ranks and displaying a perceptible spring in their step that exudes confidence.
“I am really impressed with their passion for competitive golf which augurs well for the game in the region. I wish both Ahmed and Mustapha the very best and hope they will do their country and the region proud.
“I think the players are relishing the opportunity of playing on the MENA Golf Tour. It has opened new avenues for them to achieve their dreams and has ignited their desire to succeed,” he added.
Held under the auspices of the Shaikh Maktom Golf Foundation, the tour, which is supported by Omega, boasts a combined prize fund of $525,000 in addition to offering attractive incentives, valued at $52,000 in cash and gift certificates, to the MENA region nationals.
