Anca Mateiu wins Emirates Golf Club's Ladies Club Championship with a flurry of birdies
Anca Mateiu delivered a commanding performance to claim the Emirates Golf Club Ladies Club Championship, lighting up both rounds with a dazzling display of birdies.
The championship teed off on the Faldo Course before shifting to the Majlis Course, where gusty winds added an extra layer of challenge. Despite the tricky conditions, Mateiu remained composed, carding rounds of 70 and 76 to finish with a total of 146 (+2), comfortably securing the title.
Mateiu set the tone early in round one, firing a birdie on the second hole and adding two more at holes 7 and 9. She carried her momentum into the back nine, sinking further birdies at holes 10, 14, and 18 to finish with a stunning 70.
Round two presented a tougher test as she stumbled out of the gate with back-to-back bogeys. But the resilient Mateiu bounced back with a birdie at the 7th, keeping her game steady with crucial pars on 10 and 11. A bogey on 12 threatened to derail her charge, but she responded in style, picking up birdies on 15 and 17 to seal a well-earned victory.
Battle for Second Place
Jayshree Gupta took runner-up honours, carding rounds of 80 and 78 for a total of 158 (+14). She started strong on the Faldo Course with a birdie at hole 1 but encountered turbulence on holes 6, 7, and 8. However, she steadied herself on the back nine to close out her round with an 80.
In round two, Gupta made an early birdie on hole 2 but dropped a shot on the very next hole. A late surge saw her roll in consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11, cementing her second-place finish.
Nonita's Steady Play Secures Third
Rounding out the podium was Nonita Chand, a key player for The A Team in the recent Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2.
Nonita returned consistent scores of 80 and 81, finishing with a total of 161 (+17). Her first round saw a rocky start with a bogey at hole 1, but she recovered well with three straight pars. A series of bogeys on holes 5, 6, and 7 threatened to slow her down, yet she remained composed, posting a solid 40 on the back nine.
Her second round was highlighted by an impressive finish, playing the last four holes at one under par, a testament to her perseverance under pressure.
Net 36-Hole Champions Shine
In the Silver Division (handicap +3.5 to 11.5), Shiba Wahid stormed to victory with rounds of 73 and 68, finishing at 141 (-3 net). A net eagle on hole 14 and back-to-back net birdies on 15 and 17 in round one positioned her well. She carried that momentum into round two, carding net birdies on holes 3, 4, 10, and 12 before capping it off with a net eagle on 16.
The Bronze Division (handicap 12-36) title went to Emirates Golf Club Lady Captain Josie Tracey, who also posted a winning total of 141 (-3 net). Tracey's tournament was highlighted by a fast start with a net eagle on hole 1 and a clutch performance on the back nine in round two, where she collected five net birdies.
Daily Standouts
The competition saw several standout performances across both rounds:
Best Gross Round 1: Chitose Okada (78, +6) – A rock-solid front nine saw her string together seven consecutive pars before closing with a bogey on 9.
Best Gross Round 2: Arathi Appaiah (82, +10) – A challenging front nine was followed by a stellar comeback, shooting 39 on the back, including a birdie at 16.
Best Net Round 1: Naima Maya (Net 71, -1) – Four net birdies in her final five holes on the Faldo Course sealed an impressive first round.
Best Net Round 2: Yana Jamieson (Net 67, -5) – A flying start featuring a net birdie on hole 1 and a net eagle on hole 3 set the tone for her dominant round.
At the prize presentation, the overall Club Champion Anca Mateiu thanked her playing partners across both days and was delighted to add her name to the champion's wall.
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