21 November 2024
The 28th Faldo Series European Grand Final, hosted at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE, stood as a remarkable test for golfing resilience, with participants braving scorching 30-degree Celsius temperatures and challenging desert conditions over three days of fun and intense competition.
Young Welsh prodigy Dion Regan delivered a masterclass performance, leading wire-to-wire to claim the Overall Championship and the Boys Under 16 division with a remarkable total score of -7 (203). Regan’s tournament began dramatically on a particularly windy first day, where he shot the low round of the week, -5 (65), setting the tone for his victory. He followed this up with back-to-back rounds of -1 (69), securing a two-stroke overall victory and a commanding seven-stroke triumph in his division over Sweden’s Victor Larsson, who finished runner-up at E (210).
It was a tight tussle between Sadbhav Acharya from Nepal and Viktor Kofod-Olsen from the Emirates Golf Club, UAE in the Boys Under 21 division. Acharya ultimately got the better of his final round playing partner and won the division with rounds of 70, 66 and 69 to finish the tournament at -5 (205). Kofod-Olsen could only manage rounds of 67, 67 and 73 to finish two strokes back at -3 (207), his two-stroke deficit was more a testament to Acharya’s exceptional play than any shortcoming of his own. Both of these young men showcased a marvellous display of golf and sportsmanship throughout the week.
In the Girls Under 16 division, Arianna Virik from England secured the title with a total score of + 6 (216). Her tournament was a narrative of gradual improvement, starting with a solid +6 (76), then refining her approach to +3 (73), before delivering a spectacular final round of -3 (67) that sealed her championship. Bianca Ngecu from Muthaiga Golf Club, finished as runner-up with a total of +11 (221), posting rounds of 77, 70, and 74. Despite finishing five strokes behind Virik, Ngecu’s performance was a clear indication of the high calibre of talent coming out of Kenya.
In the Girls Under 21 division, Wales celebrated a second victory courtesy of Isobel Kelly. Her rounds of 72, 69, and 70, for a total of +1 (211) were a testament to her strategic approach to Al Ain’s water and sand-riddled course. A dramatic holed bunker shot for par on the 12th during the final round perhaps highlighted to Kelly that this was going to be her week. Young Australian prodigy Michelle Bang, who earned her invitation to Al Ain by winning the Girls Under 21 division at the Asia Grand Final earlier this year, pushed Kelly all the way, finishing just three strokes back at +4 (214) after rounds of 75, 70, and 69.
The 28th Faldo Series European Grand Final boasted an unprecedented level of global representation, with 55 players travelling from 21 different countries spanning four continents. The diverse lineup included young golfers from traditional golfing nations like the United Kingdom and Ireland, alongside emerging golfing markets such as Nepal, Kenya, and Hong Kong. European countries were well-represented, with players from Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Netherlands competing alongside athletes from the United Arab Emirates, Austria, and beyond. This remarkable international gathering showcased the truly global nature of the Faldo Series, demonstrating how golf continues to break down geographical and cultural barriers.
The European Grand Final brings an end to another highly successful year for the Faldo Junior Tour. The four divisional winners will now be invited to compete at the 16th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in April 2025 at Laguna Lang Co, Vietnam. There, they will test their skills against the finest players from the Asian circuit and beyond golf, continue their journey of cultural discovery and international travel.
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE
