Grace, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen had finished tied for the lead on a 12-under-par 280 total. The local hero birdied the first playoff hole – the par-five 18th – to claim his second consecutive victory on the European Tour.

“It’s awesome. It’s been amazing, and it’s great to sit here again as I did at the Joburg Open,” said Grace, who had the chance to win this ‘tournament of champions’ during regulation play, but missed the three-foot putt for birdie at the 18th that would have secured him victory. “You know you’ve got a three-footer and if you make it you’re a hero. I didn’t think I hit a bad putt, to be honest. But the confidence from my first win played an important role. “I read some articles before the final round and saw that there were seven players with 13 Majors chasing me. That was a big field behind me, so I just stuck to what I was doing. It’s been a dream to play here and to win a tournament of the calibre of the Volvo Golf Champions.”

It was a victory made all that more memorable considering Grace had initially been asked to play as a marker in the 35-man field, before his victory in the Joburg Open saw him qualify automatically for the champions’ only tournament. “I guess I would’ve definitely come in any case. But fortunately I won and got myself in, and managed to finish it in the end,” said Grace.

It was a thrilling final round in which the lead changed several times. Els set the mark in the clubhouse at 12-under-par with a sublime round of 67, including a birdie at the last. Goosen birdied three of the final four holes to also finish on 12-under with a 70. That left Grace and Nicolas Colsaerts out on the course. Both arrived on the 18th, also on 12-under-par. Colsaerts hit a wayward drive and eventually missed a four-foot putt for par to stay in the playoff, instead finishing on 11-under with a 72.

Grace may have missed the chance to claim victory on the 72nd hole, but made no mistakes in the playoff. “It was unbelievable to stand on the tee with Ernie and Retief. I was very calm though. It’s one of those awesome things to know I’ve beaten two of my idols in a playoff.”

But the golf was certainly not the only draw card during the tournament days.

The Public Village was a very popular stop and the public deck was well supported. With the golf broadcast on the massive screen, spectators enjoyed the opportunity to put their feet up. The Kids Zone, with its track and colourful pedal cars and trucks, was a major hit with parents and toddlers alike, while the Volvo Excavator Challenge drew old and young who tried to sink that winning putt.

The spectators also enjoyed testing the latest equipment on offer at the practice nets and having their swings analysed by the pros while the car enthusiasts didn’t miss the opportunity to test Volvo’s innovative brake technology at the Pedestrian Detection Test Drive.

And, after four exciting days that offered something for everyone, a popular Grace lifted the Volvo Golf Champions trophy to thunderous applause and cheers.

Dünyanın En Prestijlisi

Dünyanın en prestijli golf turizm endüstrisi etkinliği olan IGTM, 14-17 Kasım 2011’de eşsiz golf tesislerinin, uluslararası standartlardaki otellerin, uçsuz bucaksız kumsalların, mavi bayraklı tertemiz denizin ve çam ormanlarının yarattığı büyülü atmosferin ev sahibi Belek’te hayat bulacak. IGTM, 80’in üzerinde ülkede golf turizmi satıcıları ve alıcılarından oluşan 1500 üyeye sahip IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) ile ortak çalışma yürütüyor. Organizasyon ise dünyanın önde gelen fuar organizasyon ve turizm firması Reed Travel Exhibitions’a ait. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Tanıtma Genel Müdürlüğü desteği ile BETUYAB (Belek Turizm Yatırımcıları Ortak Girişimi A.Ş.)’ın ev sahipliğini üstlendiği IGTM, Türkiye’nin golf turizmi için sunduğu olanakları sergilemek ve tanıtmak açısından çok önemli. Ayrıca IGTM’e katılacak konuklar, bugün için dünyada gerçekleşen golf turizmi tatil rezervasyonlarında % 80 gibi bir paya sahipler.

Belek’te Golf Başkadır

Golf turizmindeki ünü dünyada her geçen gün artan Belek, yılın 12 ayı birey ve gruplara golf oynayabilme olanağı sunan Türkiye’nin en büyük ve kaliteli golf sahalarına sahip. Belek’te uluslar arası standartlara ve her türlü modern imkana sahip 10 golf tesisinde, 14 golf sahası bulunuyor. Ülkemiz turizmi için çok büyük önem taşıyan IGTM’de golf turnuvaları Lykia Links Golf Course, Cornelia Golf Club, Sueno Pines Golf Course ve Carya Golf Club’ta gerçekleşecek.

The Johannesburg 22-year-old dislodged veteran Gwladys Nocera atop the leader board with eight birdies and three bogeys on a warm final day in the municipality of Torres Vedras.

Simon took command after she went to the turn in three-under 33, to move four ahead of overnight leader Nocera. She carded two bogeys and four birdies coming home for a back nine total of two under 34 to finish on 16 under par overall.

It was her second victory on the Iberian Peninsula, her only other victory coming at the 2007 Catalonia Ladies Masters in Spain, shortly after turning professional at the age of 18 almost exactly four years ago. Her best finish this season had been a tie for seventh at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco.

“It’s a huge honour to win any Ladies European Tour event. I think that the climate is so close to South Africa so I felt comfortable here the whole week. It’s been an absolutely great week,” said Simon. “I played really good the whole week and didn’t let my head get away. I didn’t know what score I was on so I was very focused: 66, 67, 67, so very consistent.

“It’s been four years since my last win and this one feels very special because I’ve been working for a long time. It shows that all the work is starting to pay off now and I hope it can continue.”

She thanked her boyfriend and caddie David Buhai, her coach of one year Douglas Wood and her fitness trainer Garth Milne for their part in her victory.

Runner-up Nocera, who began the day with a one stroke advantage, had a nightmare start to the final round and was out in 38 with four bogeys and an eagle on the front nine. She recovered well with birdies on each of the closing three holes for a one under par 71 after the strong winds of the morning had calmed down.

Nocera said: “I started off not really good; it was really windy and I put a ball in the water with the second shot on number one; I took a bogey on number two. I put another ball in the water on eight, so that was way too many mistakes and I didn’t make a single putt so I gave away so many things and Ashleigh played really well. I’m happy to finish second but if I want to win I have to not make mistakes.”

The recent Turkish Airlines Ladies Open winner Christel Boeljon of the Netherlands finished third on nine under par after a final round of 72.

Italian Diana Luna, who shot 73, finished tied fourth with Frenchwoman Virginie Lagoutte-Clement, who posted 74. South African Stacy Lee Bregman and England’s Georgina Simpson were a shot further back in joint sixth, with English rookie Rachel Jennings a shot further back in eighth place.

The Ladies European Tour now moves to Munich in Germany, for the UniCredit Ladies German Open, presented by Audi, from May 19-22.

Ends

Final Scores:

200 - Ashleigh Simon (SA) 66 67 67

203 - Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 64 68 71

207 - Christel Boeljon (NL) 68 67 72

209 - Diana Luna (ITA) 67 69 73, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (FRA) 68 67 74

210 - Stacy Lee Bregman (SA) 66 73 71, Georgina Simpson (ENG) 70 66 74

211 - Rachel Jennings (ENG) 68 70 73

212 - Louise Stahle (SWE) 67 72 73, Margherita Rigon (ITA) 70 68 74, Malene Jorgensen (DEN) 68 69 75, Lydia Hall (WAL) 68 68 76

213 - Anja Monke (GER) 71 69 73, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 68 71 74, Belen Mozo (ESP) 67 72 74, Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 71 67 75, Lucie Andre (FRA) 68 69 76

214 - Becky Morgan (WAL) 69 68 77

215 - Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 72 70 73, Linda Wessberg (SWE) 71 71 73, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 70 70 75

216 - Laura Davies (ENG) 69 72 75, Caroline Rominger (SWI) 69 71 76

217 - Julie Tvede (DEN) 69 72 76

218 - Kristie Smith (AUS) 70 72 76, Sarah Kemp (AUS) 66 76 76, Titiya Plucksataporn (THA) 72 70 76, Bree Arthur (AUS) 69 72 77, Caroline Afonso (FRA) 68 70 80, Melissa Reid (ENG) 70 66 82

219 - Kaisa Ruuttila (FIN) 74 69 76, Kim Welch (USA) 68 75 76, Helen Alfredsson (SWE) 72 71 76, Lisa Holm Sorensen (DEN) 71 70 78, Alison Walshe (USA) 71 70 78, Felicity Johnson (ENG) 68 70 81

220 - Rebecca Flood (AUS) 70 73 77

221 - Florentyna Parker (ENG) 73 70 78, Kyra van Leeuwen (NL) 69 74 78, Connie Chen (SA) 69 74 78, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 72 69 80, Sara Brown (USA) 72 69 80, Louise Larsson (SWE) 70 69 82

222 - Rebecca Codd (IRE) 74 67 81, Jaclyn Sweeney (USA) 69 72 81

223 - Julie Maisongrosse (FRA) 70 70 83

224 - Beth Allen (USA) 72 71 81, Cassandra Kirkland (FRA) 68 73 83

225 - Sahra Hassan (WAL) 69 74 82

226 - Rachel Bell (ENG) 73 70 83

photo;

Tristan Jones

National Golf Club’ın ev sahipliği yaptığı Turkish Airlines Ladies Open 2011 turnuvasında Hollandalı sporcu Christel Boeljon toplam 287 vuruşla şampiyon olarak 37 bin 500 Euro ödül kazandı. İngiliz Florentyna Parker ve Galli Becky Brewerton 290 vuruşla ikinciliği paylaştı. Bugünkü tura Parker ve Brewerton’un bir vuruş önünde başlayan Boeljon, bu sonuçla en yakın iki rakibinin 3 vuruş önüne geçti.  Geçen senenin şampiyonu İngiliz Melisa Reid ise 291 vuruşla üçüncü oldu.

04 Mayıs Çarşamba günü Pro-Am turnuvasıyla başlayan ve 05 Mayıs’ta startı verilen Turkish Airlines Ladies Open 2011’de dört gün boyunca yapılan müsabakaların ardından final maçları, büyük çekişmeye sahne oldu. Turnuvanın son anına kadar şampiyonun belli olmadığı oyunda güne birincilikle başlayan Boeljon, finalde gösterdiği başarılı performansla geçen yıl ikinci olarak şampiyonluğu kaptırdığı ve bu yıl da büyük bir çekişme içinde olduğu Melisa Reid’e bu sene 4 vuruş fark attı.

1987 doğumlu Christel Boeljon, ödül töreninin ardından şampiyon için hazırlanan pastayı kesti. 2008 yılında Hollanda Amatör Golf Şampiyonu olan ve 7 yaşında golf oynamaya başlayan Boeljon böylece ilk bireysel şampiyonluğunu, National Golf Club’da oynanan Turkish Airlines Ladies Open 2011’de kazandı.

2009 yılında Marjet van der Graaff ile birlikte takım olarak Hollanda’yı temsil ettiği İspanya La Sella Golf Resort’da oynanan Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup’taki takım şampiyonluğundan sonra bir şampiyonluğa daha, bu kez bireysel olarak imza atmış oldu.

National Golf Club Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Dr. Bülent Göktuna, geçen yıl da Türk Hava Yolları’nın isim sponsorluğunda gerçekleştirilen ve birbirinden değerli dünyaca ünlü golfçülerin yarıştığı turnuva için emeği geçen herkese teşekkür etti.

Birincinin 37 bin 500 Euro kazandığı yarışmada toplam 250 bin Euro ödül dağıtıldı.

National Golf Club Hakkında

National Golf Club, 18 Kasım 1994 tarihinde Antalya Belek bölgesinde 920 dönümlük arazi üzerine kurulmuş, uluslararası golf turnuvalarının oynanmasına olanak sağlayan EPGA (European Professional Golfers Association) standartlarına uygun Türkiye’nin ilk golf kulübüdür.

NGC, 2000 yılında Akdeniz ülkelerindeki 1500 golf kulübü arasında 9. ve tüm Avrupa kulüpleri arasında 42. seçilmiştir. 2002 Mart ayında Almanya’da yayınlanan Golf Magazin Dergisi’nin araştırmalarına göre dünya genelinde 16. ve 2003 yılında Alman Journal Magazin Dergisine göre dünyadaki “100 Golf Sahası” sıralamasında 14. sıradadır.

Temmuz 2005 yılında ISO 9001 – 2000 kalite belgesini almış olan National Golf Club, Türkiye’nin ilk kalite belgesini almış olan golf kulübüdür.

93 stableford puanla Sophie Gustafson profesyonel liderliğinde yarışan Adam Göktuna, Sinem Erülgen ve Kezban Can’dan oluşan takım kazandı. Pernilla Lindberg’in liderlik ettiği Ali Nuri Türker, Kıvanç Oktay ve Erhan Kamışlı’dan oluşan takım 87 puanla ikinci olurken; Ryan O’Toole liderliğindeki Serkan Şakar, Yurdanur Akkaş ve Merve Akman’dan meydana gelen takım 83 stableford puanla üçüncü oldu.

Garanti Masters Pro-Am’de ayrıca National Golf Club Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Dr. Bülent Göktuna da yarıştı. Tunuva hakkında görüşlerini bildiren Göktuna, “Her sene düzenlediğimiz Pro-Am Turnuvası’nı bu yıl Garanti Masters ile birlikte gerçekleştirdik. Son derece başarılı bir organizasyondu. Garanti Masters’a golf sporuna verdiği destekten ötürü teşekkür ediyor, önümüzdeki yıllarda da bu işbirliğinin güçlenerek devamını diliyoruz.”dedi.

Konuyla ilgili bir açıklama yapan Garanti Masters Özel Bankacılık Birim Müdürü Demet Apak Şermet, “Golf, Garanti Masters olarak uzun yıllardır destek verdiğimiz bir spor. Türkiye’nin, golf açısından potansiyeli ciddi anlamda yüksek bir ülke olduğunu düşünüyoruz. Özellikle son yıllarda, uluslararası niteliklere sahip golf tesislerinin çoğalmasıyla, golf için ülkemize gelen turistlerin arttığını da görüyoruz. Aktif spora ilginin yoğunlaştığı günümüzde, kalitenin ve prestijin buluştuğu golf turizmine daha fazla yatırım yapılması gerektiğine inanıyoruz. Bu kapsamda Garanti Masters olarak, çeşitli turnuvalara sponsorluk desteği veriyoruz. Bu yıl, Avrupa Bayanlar Golf Turnuvası aracılığıyla profesyonellerle Türk amatör sporcuları bir araya getiren Pro-Am Turnuvası’nın sponsorluğunu üstleniyoruz. LET Turnuvası’nda oynayan, dünya çapında tanınan profesyonel sporcularla, müşterilerimizi biraraya getirmekten mutluluk duyuyoruz.” dedi.

World number one Westwood and number two Kaymer, playing along with Woods, the world number three, stayed in the striking distance of the leaders on three under 69. Woods needed to eagle the 18th to move into the red figure (one under) after struggling to string together his round despite a blazing birdie-birdie start.

“It was one of those days when I had to fight hard. Overall, it was a scratchy round,” said Woods, who is chasing his third title in Dubai to match the feat of Ernie Els, the only other multiple winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“Unfortunately, I got to two‑over-par on two different occasions. I was two‑over early, but I got it back with birdies on 10 and 11. I threw it right away again with a double on 12 before getting back to one under par for the day. I think I struggled with my trajectory control,” said Woods who used back-to-back three wood to reach the green in two on the closing 18th and gently holed in for an eagle.
“When you get wind like this, you have to hit the ball on the perfect trajectory, something which I didn’t,” said the 14-time major winner, who at present, is working on his fourth swing change of his career with Sean Foley of Canada.
“But then I’m only six back, and tomorrow we have fresh greens and probably a bit less wind than what we had this afternoon, so hopefully I can do the same thing tomorrow morning,” he said.
Unlike Woods, Westwood played solidly without making too many mistakes. He could have done even better, but played one over for the last two holes. “One under would have been nice,” said the world number one.

The pair birdied the last hole to post a sizzling four-under-par 23 to take the honours, two shots ahead of the pairing of Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez. The team of golf in DUBAi ambassadors – Jeev Milkha Singh and Seung Yul Noh — finished third a further shot back.The Challenge Match, one of the highlights of the tournament week, was followed an official dinner reception which golf in DUBAi — the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — hosted for players featuring the field. The prizes were presented by Mohammed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.

The six marquee players were split into three teams, each comprising two stars and played the nine-holes in the greensomes format in which both players hit their tee shots and then select the best-positioned ball. Thereafter, they hit alternate shots with the same ball until the hole is completed.

The par-27 course, measuring 1,239 yards from blue tees, has been designed such a way that it tests the skills of all. The longest hole on the course is the 194-yard third hole while the shortest hole (the fourth) measures 96 yards.

“The players for the challenge match were selected on the basis of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour,” said Buamaim. The intention behind organizing this match is to provide an opportunity to fans to watch the top stars up close and personal.

‘golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Gulf News, Emirates airline, Emirates NBD, Mercedes-Benz, Jumeirah and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Rowells, the winner of the competition, was picked  by Mohamed Yahya of DUBAL, a long-time sponsor of the tournament, in the presence of  Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Vice Chairman and CEO golf in DUBAi, the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

It’s just a great coincidence that the winner of the online competition happens to be an army officer like Woods’ late father Earl, who himself had retired as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Army. In fact, the pet name ‘Tiger’ was borrowed from a Vietnamese soldier and friend of his father.

Lt. Col. Rowells, who plays off a decent nine handicap, will join Woods along with two other amateurs in a marquee four-ball during the Pro Am, and he is looking forward to the experience of a lifetime.

“I am thrilled and can’t believe my luck,” said an ecstatic Rowells, who will also receive two season ‘golf in DUBAi’ hospitality tickets.

“I registered with little hope of actually being selected. What a shock I received when I was contacted by my wife with the news that I have won.  I immediately had visions of the first tee with Tiger.