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Khaleej Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Smithson and Shatra dominate Jumeirah Pairs by The Brain & Performance Centre
'It was just one of those days — it just clicked,' said Callum Smithson after he and his playing partner Gurpreet Shatra clinched victory in the April edition of the 2025 Jumeirah Pairs by The Brain & Performance Centre, a DP World Company, at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Their round was nothing short of remarkable. Firing a stunning net 54 — 18 under par — the duo soared to the top of the leaderboard in the popular Pairs Shambles format played over the Fire course. The event saw 80 members and their guests tee it up, with men playing from the Composite Tees and ladies from the Forward Tees. In this dynamic format, both players tee off, and then select the best drive before playing their own ball through the hole — all while ensuring each teammate contributes at least six tee shots to the final scorecard. Shatra was instrumental in their win, delivering back-to-back net eagles on holes 8 and 9, which proved to be the turning point in their round. Hot on their heels were Stuart Murray and Rony El Haber, finishing just two shots back with a solid 16 under par (net 56), followed closely by Yao Sun and James Oh in third with a net 57 (15 under par). In the Gross Division, it was the father-son team of Pontus and Maximillian Fredriksson who stole the show, carding an impressive 5-under-par 67 — securing victory on a countback. 'It was once again, a tightly contested event all around, with a countback required to determine some of the prize winners, which added to the great competitive atmosphere of the already much-anticipated event on Masters' Saturday,' said Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates. 'It was also nice to see the Fire course continuing to be in excellent condition.'
Khaleej Times
11-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
From a near death experience to a business empire: How Jay Scher overcame adversity
It's hard to describe Jay Scher's best qualities. His extraordinary resilience, having lost both his arms and legs to illness. His entrepreneurial spirit, being involved in numerous startups. Or his humility, not complaining or looking for any special treatment. Only a few years ago, Scher was a healthy 45-year-old guy who ran Ironman triathlons for fun, a business owner, and an angel investor. But then one day he caught a bug, developed acute sepsis, and lost both arms and legs, his nose and temporarily, his sight. But speak to him today, and it's as if none of this happened. Life carries on as normal, it's business as usual. Scher was in Dubai recently as a guest of the Brain and Performance Centre (A DP World Company) about his incredible life. He considers himself a private person and very rarely does he speak publicly about his experiences. For an intimate audience, including KT LUXE , he spoke about 'From near-death to building a business empire.' While Dubai was lucky to have him visit, the feeling was very much reciprocal. Scher was impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of Dubai, and joked that he found it hard to meet with people here because they were always in meetings and working on projects. 'Everyone is here to create something. It's like the epitome of what the American Dream says it is. People are coming here to try to chase dreams. And that creates a very special energy.' True to his own entrepreneurial drive, he was also in Dubai to relaunch the luxury chocolate brand Vosges Haut-Chocolat, one of the many companies he is actively involved in. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is a Chicago-based luxury chocolate maker, founded in 1998, that offers varieties flavoured with spices and other ingredients. 'I feel like the brand needs to live here because it is an entrepreneurial brand. It is a special brand in that way. It is about travelling the world through chocolate and having those incredible memories and experiences.' So what is his connection with The Brain and Performance Centre? It is one of the world's leading facilities for hyperbaric oxygen treatment – basically forcing more oxygen into your blood to help with healing. Scher is a strong advocate of hyperbaric oxygen and credits it for his speedy rehabilitation. After he awoke from a one-month coma (when he was declared brain dead), he quickly recovered and carried on with life, almost like nothing had happened. Once he was back on his (prosthetic) feet, Jay quickly got back to work reconnecting with the CEOs and boards he is involved with as a start-up investor. Not only that, he got back to living an active lifestyle, making the most of a life that was almost snatched from him. He also has an identical twin brother, who generously transplanted the sides of his thighs to help rebuild Jay's knees. Scher calls him the 'spare parts man' as he donated so much tissue. Scher has always invested in companies and subsequently, often taken an active role in their management. While he once honed in on F&B companies, his focus has widened since he recovered from his illness. He now looks at medical companies using new technologies such as AI. It's a win-win, as not only does he get to research promising companies that might create ground-breaking technologies, but he also might unearth a medical device he can personally use. In fact, Scher plans to launch his own company making prosthetic limbs to help others facing similar challenges. One company that caught his eye recently is called Abby, an AI-driven wheelchair that can navigate airports autonomously, map out living spaces, and even retrieve food deliveries. Beyond wheelchairs, Scher has also invested in bionic hand technology, which utilises AI for pattern recognition and seamless integration with the human body. 'The opportunity for artificial intelligence to play a role in bionics is tremendous,' he explained, highlighting the challenges of translating brain signals into precise hand movements. The challenge with bionics is software, it's not hardware. When I say software, I mean the connection between the brain and the hardware" Jay Scher 'The idea is that we are connecting to machines in a more intimate way every single day of our lives. But the challenge with bionics is software, it's not hardware. When I say software, I mean the connection between the brain and the hardware.' Scher is clearly a man on an entrepreneurial mission, one that is more than just about making money. For him, it's about giving back and helping people just like him. I asked Scher for his best advice for anyone, whether a fellow entrepreneur, an athlete, or someone who has set a huge goal for themselves. He paused and then told me: 'If you want to climb a mountain then stop staring at the top, you will fall. Instead, stare at the ground and put one foot in front of the other. Focus on what's in front of you right now. And don't quit.' KT Luxe
Khaleej Times
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Hymas & Stanford triumph at Jumeirah Pairs by The Brain & Performance Centre
The March edition of the Jumeirah Pairs, presented by The Brain & Performance Centre, a DP World Company, saw an electrifying contest unfold over the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. A packed field of 60 members and guests turned up for this ever-popular event, where precision, teamwork, and strategy were put to the ultimate test. Rising to the occasion, Nick Hymas and Richard Stanford delivered a masterclass in consistency, storming to victory with a blemish-free 12-under-par net 60 (gross 66). Their round was laced with six gross birdies, showcasing their seamless synergy on the course. Reflecting on their triumph, Hymas was all praise for his playing partner and the course conditions. 'Richard and I were in sync all day, making smart decisions and feeding off each other's confidence. "The Fire Course was in immaculate shape, and we owe a huge thanks to the Agronomy Team at Jumeirah Golf Estates and our sponsors, The Brain & Performance Centre. These Jumeirah Pairs events always have a special atmosphere, and we love being part of them.' The competition followed a Pairs Scramble format, with men playing from the Composite Tees and women from the Forward Tees. Each player was required to contribute a minimum of six tee shots, ensuring a true test of partnership and strategy. Close behind the champions, Daniel Lobel and Arjun Khanna posted an impressive 10-under-par net 62, just two shots adrift of the winners. Meanwhile, the battle for third place came down to a nail-biting three-way countback, with Kehar Narismulu and James Strang edging out their rivals to claim the final podium spot at 9-under-par net 63. In the Gross Division, Adam Hodgkins and Zak Taher produced a stellar performance of their own, carding a brilliant 7-under-par gross of 65. Their round featured a stunning four-birdie streak from holes 8 to 11, underscoring their remarkable shot-making ability. Results: Net Division: N. Hymas & R. Stanford – 60 (12 Under) D. Lobel & A. Khanna – 62 (10 Under) K. Narismulu & J. Strang – 63 (9 Under) (won on countback) R. O'Shea & C. Burns – 63 (9 Under) Gross Winners: Z. Taher & A. Hodgkins – 65 (7 Under) With thrilling performances and a fiercely contested leaderboard, the latest edition of the Jumeirah Pairs once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated events in the JGE golfing calendar.
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai-based Nicolas Colsaerts overcomes slow start to lead Hero Indian Open
Dubai resident Nicolas Colsaerts made a strong start at the Hero Indian Open, recovering from a slow beginning to overcome a 'tough' course and share the lead after the first round with Marcus Armitage and Marcus Kinhult. The three-time DP World Tour winner, and Ambassador for the Brain & Performance Centre, a DP World Company, set the pace early on Thursday with a round of 68 despite bogeying two of his first three holes at DLF Golf and Country Club in Delhi. The 42-year-old Belgian, who earned his 2025 DP World Tour card with a second-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last season, is aiming to jumpstart his campaign in India this week. Colsaerts notched his first birdie of the day at the fourth hole, followed by another at the sixth. Despite a bogey at the seventh, he rallied with back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth, turning at one under par. He kept his momentum going with birdies at the tenth, fourteenth, and the par-five fifteenth, navigating the back nine without a single dropped shot to finish at four under par. Colsaerts set the early target on a challenging course, one of the toughest on the DP World Tour. Challenging course "It went great today," said Colsaerts after his round. "It's a difficult golf course, and anyone shooting under par today will be extremely happy. The rough is high, the greens are firmer, and it feels a bit like a mini-US Open. It's a tough course, but I really like the layout—especially the 18th and the visually striking 16th par-three." Looking ahead, Colsaerts added, "I want to stay patient. Pars are good, and if you make a few birdies, it's great. Everyone will make bogeys, but I'll aim to keep the ball in play and stay in contention." Kinhult impressed in his first round with early birdies at the first, second, and fourth holes. After a bogey at the seventh, he bounced back with a birdie at the par-five eighth and turned at three under par. The 2019 Betfred British Masters winner kept his scorecard clean on the way in, adding a birdie at the fifteenth to tie for the lead. Armitage, riding the momentum of a strong start to the 2025 Race to Dubai, including a fifth-place finish at last week's Porsche Singapore Classic, was pleased with his performance on day one of the Hero Indian Open—the second event of the Asian Swing. Thomas grinds Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas, a 25-year-old Dubai Golden Visa Awardee and member of the PGA Tour's Korn Ferry Tour, posted a level-par 72 to tie for 30th place. With just four shots separating him from the leaders, Thomas reflected, "Today was a bit of a grind. I didn't hit the ball well, but I put and chipped well to keep myself in a reasonable position. This course is one of the toughest in the world, so I'm proud of my positive mindset." Thomas, who had family members watching from the gallery, added, "Let's hope I can play better and score lower in the second round." Other notable players with Dubai and UAE connections included Aaron Cockerill (Canada), representing The Els Club, Dubai, as well as Dubai residents Julien Guerrier (France), Johannes Verman (US), Shiv Kapur (India), and Ewen Ferguson (Scotland), who all shot level-par 72. First Round Scores N. Colsaerts (BEL) 68 M. Kinhult (SWE) 68 M. Armitage (ENG) 68 J. Luiten (NED) 69 U. Coussard (FRA) 69 A. Sandhu (IND) 69 M. Jordan (ENG) 69 T. Clements (ENG) 69 R. Fisher (ENG) 69
Khaleej Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Purdy and Bainbridge win February Jumeirah Pairs with dominant performance at JGC
'We played incredibly well today,' said Thomas Purdy (5), reflecting on the exceptional performance he and his partner, David Bainbridge (Scr), put together to claim victory in the February edition of the Jumeirah Pairs, hosted by The Brain & Performance Centre, a DP World Company. The duo finished with an impressive 45 Stableford points, outshining a competitive field of 108 members and their guests. Played in a Pairs Betterball Stableford format on the Earth Course, with competitors teeing off from the Composite Tees for men and the Forward Tees for women, the tournament provided plenty of challenges. Bainbridge's five birdies and Purdy's steady round, including birdies on holes 13 and 15, led them to victory. Their strong performance earned them the win on a back-nine countback, edging out Nick Hymas (14) and Richard Stanford (13), who also finished with 45 points. Reflecting on their victory, Purdy said: 'David and I played incredibly well today, and we both greatly enjoyed the challenge of the Earth course. The course was in immaculate condition, and we extend our gratitude to the Agronomy Team at Jumeirah Golf Estates. 'We also appreciate the support of our sponsors, The Brain and Performance Centre, for delivering a fantastic event." Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, said at the prize presentation, which was attended by 2025 Jumeirah Golf Estates Lady Captain Tanya Harrison: 'It was a hotly contested event, with the top ten pairs all within two shots of each other, which added a great competitive atmosphere to the already much-anticipated event.' Results (Stableford Points, BetterBall Format)
