The Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit comes to an end in Dubai
Michael Harradine added another feather to his cap when he won the season-ending EGF Order of Merit Championship by two shots at The Els Club at the weekend. The talented golfer, who emerged on top in the 2011-2012 Men’s Order of Merit (gross) with a tally of 268.8 points, shot gross rounds of 73 and 74 for a three-over-par total of 147 to beat his closest rival Khalif Yousuf by a good two shots. Craig Forrest settled for third a shot further back on a gross 150.
The ladies division, in contrast, produced a dramatic twist to the script with Serifa D’Souza, who had finished 13th on the Ladies Order of Merit, taking the honours with a 36-hole score of 164, a good four shots ahead of Kim Chiag and eight of third-placed Sanddra Grenet.
The men’s Order of Merit winner Harradine and Yousuf will get special invitations to compete in the Singapore Men’s Amateur Open Championship later this year in recognition of their achievements during the season.
The winners of this season’s Ladies Order of Merit title (Sana Tufail) and the OOM Championship (Serifa) will also receive a similar trip overseas.
In all top 20 men and ladies players on their respective Orders of Merit along with the leading 20 junior players were invited by the Emirates Golf Federation to compete in this new season-ending competition which has replaced the Scratch Matchplay Championship.
Connor Keegan comfortably kept up his dominance in the Junior Division with back-to-back rounds of 75 for a 36-hole gross total of 150, beating Eoin Cunifee (158) and Rayhan Thomas (159) to second and third place respectively.
At the presentation ceremony, the EGF honoured ace Sana Tufail with the Junior of the Year award. The talented youngster was also presented with a special trophy for her remarkable feat of winning 10 of the 11 ladies Order of Merit events during the season.
Bilal Belaid received the Most Improved Junior prize while Danied Hendry walked away with the Best Performance of the Year award. The Best Golf Initiative award went to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club for introducing golf to Children from Abu Dhabi’s Future Centre for Special Needs.
Emirates Golf Federation thanked all players, clubs and the sponsors for their continued support during the season.
Results of the EGF Order of Merit Championship:
Men’s Division: 1. Michael Harradine 147 (73 and 74), 2. Khalid Yousuf 149 (76 and 73), Craig Forrest 150 (74 and 76).
Ladies Division: 1. Serifa D’Souza 164 (80 and 84), 2. Kim Chiang 168 (85 and 83), 3. Sanddra Grenet 172 (85 and 87).
Junior Division: 1. Connor Keegan 150 (75 and 75), 2. Eoin Cuniffe 158 (75 and 83), 3. Rayhan Thomas 159 (79 and 80).
End of (2011-2012) season prizes:
Junior Player of the Year: Sana Tufail
Most Improved Junior: Bilal Belaid
Best Performance of the Year: Daniel Hendry
Best Golf Initiative: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Prize winners at The Els Club
