Meet the nominees: Middle East Golf Awards

Sport360 staff 14:02 11/12/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Inaugural winners: The MEGAs were introduced for the very first time last year and the event has now become an annual fixture on the regional golf calendar.

    The 2014 Middle East Golf Awards (MEGAs) take place tonight (Thursday) at Jumeriah Emirates Towers, Dubai. To celebrate the occasion, Sport360 takes a look at some of the nominees and provides insight into why they deserve to be awarded in the golf industry.

    BEST MALE AMATEUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

    Ali Abdullah Al Shahrani (Qatar)

    Twenty-year-old Al Sharani’s highlight this year was his amazing efforts in the Asian Games, in which he finished 47th. He is a member of Doha Golf Club, Qatar and began playing four years ago after his father encouraged him to take up the sport. With the help of his coach Mike Elliot, Ali is hoping he can one day mix it on the fairways with his role-model Tiger Woods and others on the PGA Tour.

    Azaan Al Rumhy (Oman)
    Oman’s No. 1 golfer Azaan al Rumhy came up with a competitive performance at the King Hamad Trophy in Manama, Bahrain this year, battling a top-class field of 85 players that included 20 elite pro golfers. Azaan not only made the cut amid strong opposition at the Royal Golf Club, but also finished 26th with a gross score of 232 after three days of action. The national champion carded a 77 on the opening day, then followed it up 79, before finishing with his best score of 76 on the concluding day of the competition.

    Michael Harradine (UAE)

    One of the finest golfers in the region, and son of renowned golf architect Peter, Michael Harradine has once again enjoyed a fine season on the course. This season saw Michael defend his EGF OOM Men’s division title for the third consecutive year and claim the 2014 EFG OOM Championship. Michael also claimed the EGC Open for the first time in 2014 and was crowned the EGF’s Order of Merit champion for 2013-14 in May.

    Nasser Yacoob (Bahrain) 
    Nasser Yacoob won the qualifying round of the Royal Golf Club’s annual Scratch Championships with a fantastic one over par gross score of 73 in June. Yacoob followed that up by winning the Black Tee Challenge at the Royal Golf Club in March after achieving a gross score of 76. The annual event, held on the Club’s Montgomerie championship course, is a real test of golf with competitors playing from the black tees, making the course a challenging 7,243 yards long.

    – VIDEO: Delight that MEGA's will recognise local talent

    BEST ARAB AMATEUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR 

    Ahmad Marjane (UAE)

    The Moroccan golfer made history this year as the MENA Tour’s first Arab winner of a Tour event at the Ras Al Khaimah classic in October. The 22-year-old was given a spot on the Asian Tour as a result, taking part in the King’s Cup in Thailand last month as the region’s sole representative amongst a highly competitive field of players.

    Ali Abdullah Al Shahrani (Qatar)

    Twenty-year-old Al Sharani’s highlight this year was his amazing efforts in the Asian Games where he finished 47th. He is a member of Doha Golf Club, Qatar and began playing four years ago after his father encouraged him to take up the sport. With the help of his coach Mike Elliot, Ali is hoping he can one day mix it on the fairways with his role-model Tiger Woods and others on the PGA Tour.

    Azaan Al Rumhy (Oman)

    The 29-year-old who hails from Ghala Valley is currently ranked 34th in the MENA Golf Tour. A former winner of the Oman Open Golf Championship, Al Ruhmy's outstanding year was capped off by high finishes at recent events in the Dubai Creek Open and Ras Al Khaimah Classic. 

    Nasser Yacoob (Bahrain) 

    Not only nominated for the best male amateur in the region, Nasser is also up for the top award for Arab players in 2014. The double nomination tops a remarkable year for Yacoob and he is rightfully in contention for taking home two awards.

    BEST FEMALE AMATEUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

    Janet McAlpine (Bahrain)

    McAlpine’s highlight of 2014 came in the form of the 26th Bahrain Ladies Golf Championship at Awali Golf Club. After two thrilling days of competition, McAlpine secured victory at the 18th attempt, ending a long wait for top honours in her home country.

    Sana Tufail (UAE)

    The 17-year-old Abu Dhabi-based Sana Tufail has once again dominated the female UAE golf scene this year with performances beyond her tender years. Like Harradine, Sana successfully defended her EGF OOM Ladies division title for a remarkable third year on the bounce. Sana, who plays at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, has since gone on to tackle the USA as part of the Future Champions Golf (FCG) series where she has already finished in the top three on two occasions.

    Sanjoli Singh (Oman)

    Omani golfer Sanjoli Singh finished second with a score of 89 in the 2014 Muscat Ladies Open at the Ghala Valley Golf Club. Things got even better for Singh when she won the ladies gross division of the Assarain Classic with scores of 87 and 84 (171). Not only that, Singh seized the ladies crown of the Muscat Hills club championship for the fourth consecutive year. 

    Yasmian Al Sharshani (Qatar)

    Yasmian Al Sharshani is a rising star in Qatar’s national golf team and the country’s first female golfer on the Tour. Outside of golf, Al Sharshani was named Qatari Business woman of the year in 2013. 

    Recommended