26-05-2025
Ananyaa and Rayan dominate Al Ain's JAGA Open, earn UAE Clutch Tour Invitations
As temperatures soared past 50°C, the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club became the proving ground for the region's most promising young golfers during the JAGA International Amateur Open.
Hosted by the Junior Asian Golf Academy (JAGA) in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), the event drew over 30 amateur players battling not just the heat, but fierce competition — all vying for coveted invitations to this year's UAE Clutch Tour.
Emerging victorious were two standout talents: Ananyaa Sood and Rayan Ahmed, who dominated their respective divisions with impressive performances that left the crowd buzzing.
A Glimpse into the Future of UAE Golf
This tournament was more than just a competition; it was a preview of what was to come.
Slated to open this September, JAGA's new academy campus in Al Ain will serve as the home base for the UAE National Golf Team and a unique boarding school designed to nurture the next generation of golf champions.
Through the innovative JAGA-WAY training system — inspired by martial arts belt rankings — student-athletes progress methodically, balancing academics with elite golf training, all to become college-ready Black Belts.
Champions Across the Board
The Open featured fierce matchups across age groups from 13 to 23, with girls and boys alike showcasing incredible skill:
Girls
U13 Girls: Anushka Gupta took top honours.
U15 Girls: Ananyaa Sood triumphed, with Sofia Zbiri and Ayesha Gupta close behind.
U18 Girls: Anuradha Chaudhuri claimed the crown.
U23 Ladies: Jamie Camero led the pack, with Hannah Alan and Lara ElChaib also making waves.
Boys
U13 Boys: Sevn Laurijsen rose to the top, followed by Sebastian Cook and Luke Brown.
U15 Boys: Alexander Rushika emerged victorious.
U18 Boys: Rayan Ahmed wowed with a stunning 66 in the second round, ultimately clinching the title.
U23 Men: Jonathan Selvaraj took the win, with Arav Shaw as runner-up.
The Battle for Overall Supremacy
When all divisions combined for overall titles, it was Rayan Ahmed who stole the spotlight among the boys, shooting an impressive 7 under par for a final score of 203. In the girls' competition, Ananyaa Sood soared 5 under par with consistent rounds of 67, 67, and 71 — an 8-shot lead over her nearest challenger.
Both champions have earned exclusive invites to the upcoming UAE Clutch Tour, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season ahead.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the event, JAGA Cofounder John Laroche shared, 'As we get one step closer to opening our campus in the UAE, this past weekend was a true celebration of the young talent that this region has to offer.
"Our goal is to develop the sport while providing an elite student-athlete pathway for all inspiring golfers. Thank you to our partners and to the Emirates Golf Federation for their continued support. We look forward to following these young boys and girls on their journey'.
