Oscar Craig (Jumeirah Golf Estates) and England’s Ella Butteriss both produced impressive displays of golf to storm to victories in their respective divisions of the 54-hole FirstPoint USA WAGR Golf Showcase at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Plus three handicapper Craig, who won the inaugural event back in September on the National course, carded an opening round of 68, and at four-under par found himself one shot behind leader Dominic Morton. He backed that up with an excellent 69 on the Thursday, and despite slipping to a 75 on the final day, his four-under par total of 212 was enough to secure a six-shot winning margin ahead of runner up Rayan Ahmed (Emirates Golf Federation).
He told the Khaleej Times: “I played nicely for the first two rounds. In round one, I was one over after nine holes, then went five under par for my last five holes.
“On day two I kept the momentum going from my first round. Friday’s final round was a lot windier and tougher than the first two days, but I managed two birdies at the end to keep the score respectable.
“It is nice to defend a title – I won here in Abu Dhabi last year in the inaugural FirstPoint USA event and my next tournament is the Ras Al Khaimah Men’s Open next week - which I will approach with confidence.”
Finishing her final round in style with a superb four-under 68 following an opening 72 and a second round 73, Beaconsfield GC’s Ella Butteriss dominated the field in the girls event, and her 212 aggregate gave her an emphatic 12-shot victory over the field.
Ella, who plays for her home county of Buckinghamshire, was playing her first official event outside of the UK, was delighted with her performance in Abu Dhabi.
“My Dad lives in Dubai – so I have played the National Course a few times and know all about golf in the UAE.
The players were watched by FirstPoint USA’s Head of Golf Callum Macaulay, a former European Tour player and a scholar at the University of Mississippi, alongside colleague Heather MacRae, an experienced campaigner on the Ladies European Tour who also competed on the US collegiate golf circuit with the University of San Diego.
Macaulay said: “We have been impressed with the quality of many of the players competing in Abu Dhabi this week.
“It was great to see entries from players flying in from countries including Qatar, Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe, plus a healthy representation from golf clubs in the UAE to this flagship tournament for FirstPoint USA.’
Thanks to Nick Tarratt from the Khaleej Times for the interviews.
Final Leaderboard
Boys Division
- Oscar Craig (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 68, 69, 75: 212
- Rayan Ahmed (Emirates Golf Federation) 69, 74, 75: 218
- Dominic Morton (Trump International Golf Club) 67, 75, 78: 220.
- Phillip Van Oosten (Netherlands) 75, 72, 74: 221
Girls Division
- Ella Butteriss (Beaconsfield) 72, 73, 68: 213
- Lara El Chaib (Abu Dhabi GC) 73, 76, 76: 225.
- Kanchana Duangsam (Qatar) 73, 74, 79: 226.
- Imogen Hall (The Els Club) 77, 74, 76: 227
FirstPoint USA have supported many talented young golfers in securing golf scholarships at leading universities in the States, including Masters champion Danny Willett and two-time PGA Tour winner Russell Knox. To find out more about taking your first step to a collegiate golf scholarship, click here.
