Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship
Encyclopedia
The Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship (ADJGC), in association with The Telegraph, is an international golf
tournament for players under the age of 18 years old, the finals of which will be held from November 22 to 24, 2011 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates
. The current boys champion is Ben Taylor and Hayley Davis holds the 2010 girls title.
, when it was organised by The Daily Telegraph
. In the early days it was an informally organised competition
that took place during the school holidays. Today it attracts a considerable field of junior golfers from Great Britain
and Ireland
and offers boys and girls the opportunity to experience a major tournament and ultimately bid to become the Junior Golf Champion. In recent years, around 40,000 juniors have taken part in the qualifying round.
It is open to all permanent British and Irish residents under the age of 18 at the start of the year. A handicap
of 28 and below for boys and 36 and below for girls is required. This year, a player from the Middle East
will also take part in the finals.
of the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, in association with The Telegraph, will feature 10 boys who qualify via the leaderboard
, one boy who will receive a sponsor’s invite, the girls' defending champion Hayley Davis, seven girls who qualify via the leaderboard and one girl who will receive a sponsor’s invite . The winner of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Open, which took place the month before, will also complete the 21-strong field.
Before the finals begin, a challenge match will take place, in which 21 of the UAE and Middle East’s best young players will compete with the visitors.
and Andrew Coltart
, who have gone on to play at the highest level. Current boys and girls champions Stiggy Hodgson and Carly Booth
have both represented Great Britain and Ireland in amateur tournaments.
Other past champions of note include Mhairi McKay
, Rebecca Hudson
and Oliver Fisher
.
Girls
The involvement of ADTA, which manages and develops the emirate’s tourism industry, is part of its strategy to market Abu Dhabi as a premier golfing destination.
Abu Dhabi is home to the annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
, a European Tour event that, along with the Qatar Masters
and the Dubai Desert Classic
, forms part of the early-season Gulf Swing of January and February each year.
Like the ADJGC, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
to take the boys title. In the girls match, Alexandra Peters held on to her overnight lead on the final day to take the trophy.
Lloyd played a winning final round of 73 to beat Lewis, who had led by eight shots at the end of the first round and four shots going into the final day's play. Lloyd, 17, from Bristol, bore down on Lewis and took the lead on the 12th hole. With a one shot lead going into the final hole he held his nerve to win with a final score of 11 under. Tomasz Anderson took third place with a score of four over.
Peters clinched the girls’ championship with a final score of five under, leaving her well ahead of nearest rival Jessica Wilcox who ended the tournament on level par. The 16-year-old, from Shifnal, Nottinghamshire, had gone into the final day with a four-shot lead and never looked in danger of losing it.
Finishing strongly, Wilcox jumped into second place helped by a run of three birdies on the front nine, ahead of Holly Clyburn and Heidi Baek who both recorded scores of three over.
Hodgson, who plays with an unorthodox swing with its exaggerated head turn, did not drop a shot until the last hole, a poor bunker recovery and three-putt against Fleetwood's seventh birdie, cancelling out a seemingly decisive two-stroke lead to take the final into sudden death.
Carly Booth
, meanwhile, was untroubled by any of the competing girls as she decisively took the title. Her win by six shots at four under illustrated her mastery of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National course.
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
tournament for players under the age of 18 years old, the finals of which will be held from November 22 to 24, 2011 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. The current boys champion is Ben Taylor and Hayley Davis holds the 2010 girls title.
Background
The tournament has its origins in the 1960s1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
, when it was organised by The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
. In the early days it was an informally organised competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
that took place during the school holidays. Today it attracts a considerable field of junior golfers from Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and offers boys and girls the opportunity to experience a major tournament and ultimately bid to become the Junior Golf Champion. In recent years, around 40,000 juniors have taken part in the qualifying round.
It is open to all permanent British and Irish residents under the age of 18 at the start of the year. A handicap
Golf handicap
A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's playing ability based on the tees played for a given course. It is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms...
of 28 and below for boys and 36 and below for girls is required. This year, a player from the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
will also take part in the finals.
Format
The finalsFinals
Finals may refer to:* Final , the final stages of a sporting competition* Final examinations, tests given to students at the end of a course of study or training.* Finals , a four-issue comic book mini-series....
of the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, in association with The Telegraph, will feature 10 boys who qualify via the leaderboard
Leaderboard
Leaderboard is a series of golf simulation video games that was developed by Bruce and Roger Carver, and published by Access Software.-Summary:thumb|left|Teeing off on the first hole ....
, one boy who will receive a sponsor’s invite, the girls' defending champion Hayley Davis, seven girls who qualify via the leaderboard and one girl who will receive a sponsor’s invite . The winner of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Open, which took place the month before, will also complete the 21-strong field.
Before the finals begin, a challenge match will take place, in which 21 of the UAE and Middle East’s best young players will compete with the visitors.
History
Success in the tournament has acted as a springboard for some exceptional young golfers, with past winners including Justin RoseJustin Rose
Justin Peter Rose is a South African-born English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour while keeping his membership on the European Tour...
and Andrew Coltart
Andrew Coltart
Andrew John Coltart is a Scottish professional golfer.-Junior and amateur:Coltart was born in Dumfries. As an amateur, he won the 1987 Scottish Boys Championship and the 1991 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship, and participated in the 1991 Walker Cup.-Professional:Coltart turned...
, who have gone on to play at the highest level. Current boys and girls champions Stiggy Hodgson and Carly Booth
Carly Booth
Carly Booth is a Scottish professional golfer. At the end of 2009, aged 17, she became the youngest-ever Scot to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. Booth became the youngest ladies' club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New.- Early years:Upon turning professional, Booth had a...
have both represented Great Britain and Ireland in amateur tournaments.
Other past champions of note include Mhairi McKay
Mhairi McKay
Mhairi McKay is a Scottish professional golfer who plays mainly on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and is also a member of the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:...
, Rebecca Hudson
Rebecca Hudson
Rebecca Emma Gisela Hudson is an English professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:Hudson had a very successful junior and amateur career...
and Oliver Fisher
Oliver Fisher
Oliver James Fisher is an English professional golfer who plays on the European Tour.Fisher was born in Chingford, London. He was a winner of the Faldo Series, Nick Faldo's development programme for young golfers, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and as such was regarded as one of the best prospects of his...
.
Past winners
Boys- 1985 Terry Berry
- 1986 Andrew ColtartAndrew ColtartAndrew John Coltart is a Scottish professional golfer.-Junior and amateur:Coltart was born in Dumfries. As an amateur, he won the 1987 Scottish Boys Championship and the 1991 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship, and participated in the 1991 Walker Cup.-Professional:Coltart turned...
- 1987 Michael Watson
- 1988 Michael Welch
- 1989 Nick Ludwell
- 1990 Duncan Smith
- 1991 Graham Davidson
- 1992 Allan MacDonald
- 1993 Denny Lucas
- 1994 Denny Lucas
- 1995 David Wixon
- 1996 Graham Gordon
- 1997 Justin RoseJustin RoseJustin Peter Rose is a South African-born English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour while keeping his membership on the European Tour...
- 1998 David Griffiths
- 1999 David Skinns
- 2000 David Mallett
- 2001 Michael Nester
- 2002 Michael Skelton
- 2003 James RuthJames RuthJames A. Ruth is an English professional golfer.Ruth was born in Plymouth, England.Ruth was the Order of Merit leader on the third-tier EPD Tour in 2008. In 2008, he had three wins on the EPD tour earning €23,440.93...
- 2004 Jordan Findlay
- 2005 Oliver FisherOliver FisherOliver James Fisher is an English professional golfer who plays on the European Tour.Fisher was born in Chingford, London. He was a winner of the Faldo Series, Nick Faldo's development programme for young golfers, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and as such was regarded as one of the best prospects of his...
- 2006 Dale Whitnell
- 2007 Stiggy Hodgson
- 2008 Stiggy Hodgson
- 2009 Chris Lloyd
- 2010 Ben Taylor
Girls
- 1990 Elaine Wilson
- 1991 Mhairi McKayMhairi McKayMhairi McKay is a Scottish professional golfer who plays mainly on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and is also a member of the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:...
- 1992 Andrea Murray
- 1993 Georgina Simpson
- 1994 Rebecca HudsonRebecca HudsonRebecca Emma Gisela Hudson is an English professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:Hudson had a very successful junior and amateur career...
- 1995 Rebecca HudsonRebecca HudsonRebecca Emma Gisela Hudson is an English professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:Hudson had a very successful junior and amateur career...
- 1996 Vicki Laing
- 1997 Rebecca HudsonRebecca HudsonRebecca Emma Gisela Hudson is an English professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour.-Amateur career:Hudson had a very successful junior and amateur career...
- 1998 Louise Kenney
- 1999 Rachel Adby
- 2000 Sophie Walker
- 2001 Sophie Walker
- 2002 Steph Evans
- 2003 Natalie Haywood
- 2004 Melissa Reid
- 2005 Jodi Ewart
- 2006 Sally Watson
- 2007 Carly BoothCarly BoothCarly Booth is a Scottish professional golfer. At the end of 2009, aged 17, she became the youngest-ever Scot to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. Booth became the youngest ladies' club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New.- Early years:Upon turning professional, Booth had a...
- 2008 Carly BoothCarly BoothCarly Booth is a Scottish professional golfer. At the end of 2009, aged 17, she became the youngest-ever Scot to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. Booth became the youngest ladies' club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New.- Early years:Upon turning professional, Booth had a...
- 2009 Alexandra Peters
- 2010 Hayley Davis
Abu Dhabi’s sponsorship
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have Title Sponsored the event since 2009 [Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority]] (ADTA).The involvement of ADTA, which manages and develops the emirate’s tourism industry, is part of its strategy to market Abu Dhabi as a premier golfing destination.
Abu Dhabi is home to the annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is a European Tour golf tournament that was staged for the first time in January 2006. It is played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates....
, a European Tour event that, along with the Qatar Masters
Qatar Masters
The Commercialbank Qatar Masters is a golf tournament held at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar. The tournament was established in 1998, and is one of four European Tour golf tournaments which are staged in the countries of the Persian Gulf, the others being the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the...
and the Dubai Desert Classic
Dubai Desert Classic
The Dubai Desert Classic is an annual professional golf tournament which takes place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It has been part of the European Tour schedule since its inauguration in 1989, and was the first European Tour event to be staged in the Middle East...
, forms part of the early-season Gulf Swing of January and February each year.
Like the ADJGC, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
2009 championship
Chris Lloyd completed a thrilling finish to the tournament by overhauling long-time leader Tom LewisTom Lewis (golfer)
Tom Lewis is a professional golfer from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England.In 2009, Lewis won the Boys Amateur Championship at Royal St George's. In 2010, he lost to Peter O'Malley in a playoff for the New South Wales Open, and then tied for 12th place at the Australian Open...
to take the boys title. In the girls match, Alexandra Peters held on to her overnight lead on the final day to take the trophy.
Lloyd played a winning final round of 73 to beat Lewis, who had led by eight shots at the end of the first round and four shots going into the final day's play. Lloyd, 17, from Bristol, bore down on Lewis and took the lead on the 12th hole. With a one shot lead going into the final hole he held his nerve to win with a final score of 11 under. Tomasz Anderson took third place with a score of four over.
Peters clinched the girls’ championship with a final score of five under, leaving her well ahead of nearest rival Jessica Wilcox who ended the tournament on level par. The 16-year-old, from Shifnal, Nottinghamshire, had gone into the final day with a four-shot lead and never looked in danger of losing it.
Finishing strongly, Wilcox jumped into second place helped by a run of three birdies on the front nine, ahead of Holly Clyburn and Heidi Baek who both recorded scores of three over.
2008 championship
Stiggy Hodgson holed a 15-ft birdie putt on the second playoff hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood and win the 2008 Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship boys title. The two leaders finished 12 shots ahead of the field by finishing 12 under par over the three rounds.Hodgson, who plays with an unorthodox swing with its exaggerated head turn, did not drop a shot until the last hole, a poor bunker recovery and three-putt against Fleetwood's seventh birdie, cancelling out a seemingly decisive two-stroke lead to take the final into sudden death.
Carly Booth
Carly Booth
Carly Booth is a Scottish professional golfer. At the end of 2009, aged 17, she became the youngest-ever Scot to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. Booth became the youngest ladies' club champion in Britain at the age of 11 at Dunblane New.- Early years:Upon turning professional, Booth had a...
, meanwhile, was untroubled by any of the competing girls as she decisively took the title. Her win by six shots at four under illustrated her mastery of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National course.