Latest news with #UltimateGolfChallengeSeason2
Khaleej Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
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.
Khaleej Times
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
The Final Showdown: Who will seize the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 crown?
The stakes couldn't be higher as the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 hurtles toward its epic finale this Thursday, February 13, at the Emirates Golf Club's legendary Majlis Course. With two grueling rounds behind them and the leaderboard razor-thin, the top teams are primed for a high-stakes showdown where every shot could make or break their championship dreams. The Noble Legacy Masters, who dominated the opening round at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, still hold the top spot with 467 points. However, their once-comfortable lead has been cut to just 10 points, leaving the door wide open for a dramatic conclusion to Dubai's hugely popular social golf event. Hot on their heels are the Meteora Masters (457) and the defending champions, Tristar Gladiators (456), both within striking distance. With 300 points still up for grabs in the final round, it's truly anyone's title to win. Tournament Director Brandon de Souza praised the rising level of competition and the event's rapid growth in just two years: 'The Ultimate Golf Challenge has grown in leaps and bounds,' said De Sousa a former Champions golf from India. 'The quality of play, the level of engagement from players and team owners, and the sheer excitement surrounding this tournament are remarkable. 'With 37 out of 50 pairs scoring 41 points or better in Round 2, it shows how competitive this event has become. Given the commitment from all involved, the UGC has the potential to evolve into something even bigger in the years to come.' The biggest storyline from Round 2 was the remarkable resurgence of the Alpha Ninjas. Co-owned by Manu Jeswani and Sanjay Advani, the team stormed back from ninth place in Round 1 to finish fifth overall after a dominant showing at the Faldo Course. With four pairs finishing in the top five, the Ninjas have made a bold statement, firmly positioning themselves as serious title contenders. Sanjay Advani captured the team's fighting spirit, saying: 'As we said, don't count us out. We kept our word. The players gave it their all, and this is the result. We were just warming up in Round 1, but now we've found our momentum, and we're carrying it into the finale.' Another team to impress was The A Team, initially finishing third in Round 2. However, a scoring adjustment saw them drop in the standings. Despite the setback, big-hitter Nikhil Kohli Kohli remained upbeat, reflecting on his team's performance: 'It was a total team effort, and my partnership with Nonita (Chand) really clicked—that really helped. At the end of the day, I'm very happy with what we achieved as a whole. I think the format is beautiful because it gives everyone a chance to perform and come back, even if they are down,' he said. Nikhil also highlighted the unwavering support of team owners Aman and Ayesha Chopra and mentor Badru Hilal: 'Their encouragement makes a huge difference. It motivates us, improves our game, and keeps morale high.' The Majlis Awaits The legendary Majlis Course, home to historic moments from the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Seve Ballesteros, will provide the ultimate stage for this dramatic finale. With the championship on the line, expect a display of fearless drives, clutch putts, and high-stakes drama. With the leaderboard stacked and the stakes higher than ever, all eyes are on the Majlis. Who will rise to the occasion and etch their name in Ultimate Golf Challenge history? We're about to find out. Final Round Format Each team nominates 10 players Individual Stableford format Best 8 scores count towards the final team total Current Team Standings (After Round 2) Noble Legacy Masters (292 + 175) - 467 Meteora Masters (271 + 186) - 457 Tristar Gladiators (277 + 179) - 456 Shershaah Eagles (277 + 183) - 454 Alpha Ninjas (255 + 195) - 450 The A Team (289 + 180) - 449 Sultans of Swing (276 + 169) - 445 Three Comma Masters (259 + 173) - 432 Desert Knights (258 + 159) - 417 The Brain & Performance Centre (229 + 172) - 401 Final round details Where: Majlis Course | Emirates Golf Club When: Thursday, February 13 Tee-off: 1:00pm
Khaleej Times
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Alpha Ninjas make bold statement as Ultimate Golf Challenge title race heats up
The battle for supremacy in the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 is reaching a fever pitch after a fiercely contested second round at Emirates Golf Club's Faldo Course. The competition, featuring ten dedicated amateur teams featuring both men and women, delivered high-stakes drama on Thursday as the race to the UGC title tightened significantly, setting the stage for a thrilling climax. The Noble Legacy Masters, who dominated the opening round at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht club, maintain their grip at the top of the leaderboard with 467 points, but their once-comfortable lead has shrunk to 10 points. The Mateora Masters (457) and defending champions Tristar Gladiators (456) are now within striking distance, ensuring an electrifying finale next Thursday. The standout story of Round 2 belonged to the Alpha Ninjas. After languishing in ninth place following Round 1, they staged a spectacular comeback, displaying remarkable resilience and skill in the better-ball four-ball format. With four of their pairs finishing in the top five, they not only closed the gap on the leaders but also firmly established themselves as serious title contenders. The Ninjas dominated the individual leaderboard, with Julius Dias & Connie Sayal, Samvit Chopra & Anil Shivanna, and Adele McKelvey & Vivaan Sahni all finishing on 49 points, just three behind top scorers Amir Inam & Rabindra Banthia (Mateora Masters) on 52. Team captain Sanjay Advani summed up the team's spirit perfectly: 'As we said, don't count us out. We kept our word. The players gave it their all, and this is the result. 'We were just warming up in Round 1, but now we've found our momentum, and we're carrying it into the finale.' Bittersweet Round Another team to deliver a top-level performance was The A Team, who initially finished third overall on Friday. However, their final placement was affected by a scoring error on a player's card, resulting in an unfortunate drop down the table after the scores were adjusted. Nikhil Kohli summed up a bittersweet round for The A Team saying: 'It was a total team effort, and my partnership with Nonita really clicked—that really helped. At the end of the day, I'm very happy with what we achieved as a whole. 'I think the format is beautiful because it gives everyone a chance to perform, to come back even if they are down, and it's planned to perfection.' Nikhil also highlighted the invaluable support system behind The A Team, praising the team owners and mentors for their encouragement. 'Aman and Ayesha have been very supportive of everyone, and they motivate us along with our mentor Badru (Hilal). It really improves your game and helps boost morale,' he said. All Eyes on the Majlis With around 300 points up for grabs in the final round, the Ultimate Golf Challenge is still anyone's to win. The Majlis Course, home to the historic Hero Dubai Desert Classic, will provide the perfect backdrop for the grand conclusion of this exhilarating Season 2 of the Ultimate Golf Challenge. Tournament Director Brandon de Souza lauded the incredible standard of play, highlighting that 37 out of 50 pairs scored 41 points or better. 'The level of competition is remarkable,' he said. 'It's all set up for an unforgettable finale.' All roads now lead to the Majlis Course for one showdown on Thursday, April 13. Round 2 Team Standings: (Read as Round 1 + 2 & Total score) Noble Legacy Masters (292 + 175) 467 Mateora Masters (271 + 186) 457 Tristar Gladiators (277 – 179) 456 Shershaah Eagles (277 + 183) 454 Aplha Ninjas (255 + 195) 450 The A Team (289 + 180) 449 Sultans Of Swing (276 + 169) 445 Three Comma Master (259 + 173) 432 Desert Knights (258 + 159) 417 The Brain & Performance Centre (229 + 172) 401 Round 2 Individual Standings (Top 5 Pairs): Amir Inam & Rabindra Banthia (Mateora Masters) – 52 pts Julius Dias & Connie Sayal (Alpha Ninjas) – 49 pts Samvit Chopra & Anil Shivanna (Alpha Ninjas) – 49 pts Adele McKelvey & Vivaan Sahni (Alpha Ninjas) – 49 pts Sandeep Singh & Kabir Luthra (Alpha Ninjas) – 48 pts ALSO READ
Khaleej Times
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
High stakes at the Faldo as the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 hits pivotal middle round
As the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 reaches its pivotal middle round, all eyes turn to the Emirates Golf Club's Faldo Course on Friday, February 7. With the competition tightening and teams vying for crucial points, Tournament Director Brandon de Souza offers key insights into what to expect from Round 2. 'It's very straightforward—the combinations are going to be key,' said de Souza. 'It's not about everyone thinking they have a chance because the scores will go low. I don't think so. You've got to combine brilliantly. It's only one score per hole that counts.' With 18 players from Round 1 having their handicaps cut, de Souza believes this will level the playing field and bring out the best in the competition." 'The beauty of the format, apart from Day 1 where we had some high scoring, is that now it's going to even out a bit,' he explained. ' Teams will still think they're in with a chance because, on the final day, they'll have eight out of ten scores counting. The event has been curated to keep everyone engaged, ensuring every team has something to play for until the final round." With defending champions Tristar Gladiators eager to keep their title hopes alive, co-owner Mukesh Kochar dismissed the pressure factor despite finishing second best behind The Noble Legacy Masters in Round 1 last week. 'Most of our players are used to pressure,' Mukesh said. 'Any game you play comes with pressure, and it's something you have to cope with, not oppose. The good thing is we're playing on a course we know well, and we're also familiar with the skill levels of our rival players.' Meanwhile, The A Team is looking to capitalize on home comforts at Emirates Golf Club to put themselves into contention. Co-owner Aman Chopra and mentor Badru Hilal have been busy strategizing to ensure the squad heads into Round 2 with confidence. 'We'll put strong pairings together to keep players positive and help them to play their best,' said Badru. 'The Emirates is our home course, so we'll embrace that advantage and use it to our benefit. Everyone has the potential to play well here—we just want them to show up and bring the best versions of themselves.' The Alpha Ninjas, coming off a slow start at Dubai Creek, are determined to make their move in Round 2. 'Look, the camp is feeling optimistic and still backing themselves,' said co-owner Sanjay Advani. 'The format for Round 2 suits our style of play and will help our players improve their games. "Our players are motivated; they know what they have to do. It's just about putting everything in place and keeping the right perspective.' As the action tees off at 12:30 PM, Sanjay is confident his team is ready to step up and give it their best shot. 'I think we're one of the most underrated teams in the competition, but I have no doubt we'll be in contention for the title this year,' he says. One team aiming to soar is the Shershah Eagles. Named after the Bollywood blockbuster Shershah and inspired by the bravery of the late Captain Vikram Batra the protagonist in the film, the team made a strong statement in Round 1. Key performances from Najla Bartette & Prateek Pant (76 points) and Avani Shah & Alireza Haji (75 points) placed them in the top three. With Round 2 tees off on Friday the Eagles will be looking to fly even higher. The Brain & Performance Centre has also been turning heads in its debut UGC appearance. The duo of Nicsha Rodriguez & Yana Jamieson delivered a solid performance at Dubai Creek, tying for third place. Now, as the action moves to the Faldo Course, they'll aim to build on that momentum. With its tight fairways, tricky bunkers, and water hazards testing every shot, the Faldo Course demands precision ensuring this round could be a game-changer.
Khaleej Times
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Noble Legacy Masters lead the charge after competitive Round 1 battle of UGC Season 2
A bright but blustery afternoon set the stage for Round 1 of the Ultimate Golf Challenge Season 2 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on Thursday, where changing winds and challenging greens kept players on their toes. Despite the challenges, it was the Noble Legacy Masters earned the day's accolades by leading both the team and individual standings in a fiercely competitive opening round. The Masters posted a solid score of 292 points to take an early lead in the team event while defending champions Tristar Gladiators kept them in their sights with 277 points. The Sultans of Swing, playing in memory of their late teammate Rohan Malhotra, sat just one point behind in third on 276. Individually, the Noble Legacy Masters maintained dominance, with Shenal Patel and Sidney Desouza topping the leaderboard with 81 points. The duo finished five clear of Shershaah Eagles' Najla Bartette and Prateek Pant, who put in an impressive performance to secure second place with 76 points. Avani Shah and Alireza Haji, also from the Eagles, rounded out the top three with 75. Achal Ghai, ower of the Noble Legacy Masters was thrilled with his squad's performance but emphasized the collective effort behind their success and that there were more challenges to confront in the upcoming two rounds. 'It's all about teamwork and preparation,' Ghai said. 'We've worked hard to build this squad, and even brought in a coach who conducted two clinics before the tournament to ensure we were ready.' While Patel and Desouza grabbed the headlines, Ghai stressed that every player contributed to the team's strong start. 'I'm thrilled to see Shenal and Sidney leading the pack, but this is a team effort," He said. "Every player stepped up and played with passion - many even outperformed themselves. I couldn't be happier with how we've started.' However, Ghai knows the battle is far from over. 'The pressure is on now,' he said. 'We need to push even harder when the tournament moves to Emirates Golf Club next week. This is just the beginning, and we're ready for the challenge.' Strength of the Field If Round 1 proved anything, it's that this season's Ultimate Golf Challenge is set to be an intense contest. Only eight points separated the top 10 pairs, demonstrating just how close the competition was. Among those in the mix were Najla Bartette and Prateek Pant of Shershaah Eagles, with 76 points in second place who were followed closely by Avani Shah and Alireza Haji (Shershaah Eagles), Nicsha Rodriguez and Yana Jamieson (The Brain & Performance Centre) and Saket Kanoi and Ravi Khanna (Noble Legacy Masters) all with matching 75 points. Shershaah Eagles is owned by Harry Gandhi who commented: 'It was a fantastic start, and we're looking forward to the next two days as we push for the top. I thought we were well-organized and are thrilled to be part of the UGC for a second season. It was competitive, but most importantly, a lot of fun.' For many players, the Creek's grainy greens and unpredictable winds made for a challenging test, but it was all part of the fun. 'I'm kinda glad I had a pretty average round, but I managed to put some points on the board,' said Shenal Patel, of the Noble Legacy Masters. 'I haven't played in a little while, and this is my first time in this kind of competition. I just tried to keep the nerves at bay, find my rhythm, and focus.' A Homecoming for Najla Bartette For Najla Bartette, who finished second in the pairs competition with Prateek Pant, playing at Dubai Creek felt like a return to familiar surroundings. 'Honestly, I love the Creek because I was a member a long time ago,' she said. 'For me, it was a homecoming. I wasn't expecting anything, just trying to have fun. We played well without knowing where we stood, so it was a nice surprise to come back to the clubhouse and find out we were in second.' The leaderboard may be set for now, but with two rounds still to go on February 7 & 13 the Ultimate Golf Challenge is just getting started. Next stop: Emirates Golf Club, where the competition is sure to heat up even further. Round 1 Standings Teams 1. Noble Legacy Masters 292 2. Tristar Gladiators 277 3. Sultans of Swing 276 4. Shershah Eagles 271 5. Meteora Magicians 271 6. The A team 269 7. Three Comma Masters 259 8. Desert Knights 258 9. Alpha Ninjas 255 10. The Brain & Performance Centre 229 Best Pairs Shenal Patel + Sidney Desouza (Noble Legacy Masters) 81 points; 2. Najla Bartette + Prateek Pant (Shershaah Eagles) 76; 3. Avani Shah + Alireza Haji (Shershaah Eagles) 75; 4. Nicsha Rodriguez + Yana Jamieson (The Brain & Performance Centre) 75; 5. Saket Kanoi + Ravi Khanna (Noble Legacy Masters) 75; 6. Suryaveer Singh + Pranav Rai (Sultans of Swing) 74; 7. Obediah Ayton + Candice Wang (Tristar Gladiators) 74; 8. Monica Palao + Arvind Kittur (Three Comma Masters) 73; 9. Vikas Sachar + Aamir Inam (Meteora Magicians) 73; 10. Russel Yeomans + Xin He (Meteora Magicians) 73.
