16-year-old Dion Regan has claimed the biggest victory of his career, winning the overall title at the prestigious Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the UAE.
Regan, from Cilgwyn in Wales, follows in the footsteps of past champions like Rory McIlroy and Mel Reid.
He finished with an impressive seven-under-par total after an opening round of 65, securing a two-shot victory over Nepal’s Sadbhav Acharya, while also clinching the Under-16 title by seven shots with Victor Larsson his closest challenger in the division.
Wales celebrated a double success, with Isobel Kelly taking the Under-21 Girls title. Kelly, from Aberdovey, was also the highest-placed female competitor, finishing tied for seventh overall. This victory adds to a stellar season for Kelly, who also won the Welsh Girls Championship and the Curry Cup in New York, and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy.
Flashback: Rory McIlroy poses with Nick Faldo after winning the under-17 division of the 2006 Faldo Junior Series at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. (Getty Images)
The Faldo Series, founded by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, is one of the most prestigious junior golf events, and past winners include top pros like Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett. Regan’s victory caps a brilliant year, which also saw him win the Welsh Amateur Championship and the Faldo Series Wales title.
Regan expressed his joy, saying, “Winning the overall title and the Under-16 division is just amazing. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
In the other divisions, Sadbhav Acharya from Nepal topped the Under-21 title by two shots from Viktor Kofod-Olsen, while the Girls Under-16 division went to England’s Arianna Virik by five shots.
Shane Peacock, the Director of Golf at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, said after the tournament: “We have, as usual, had a wonderful few days with Sir Nick Faldo and his great Faldo Series’ team.
“All the players have thoroughly enjoyed a ‘once in their life experience’ with some very good golf played along the way and some fun events connecting with Sir Nick, especially last night’s Golf Clinic hosted by the six-time Major winner,” he added.
“Congratulations to Dion on his superb 54 holes of golf to take the overall title and to all the players for their hard work and perseverance throughout the week,”
“We look forward to welcoming this event back to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in 2025 – we like to think it is a permanent fixture on our domestic calendar and part of the wider UAE golfing calendar,” Peacock concluded.
The tournament, held at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, featured 58 competitors from 19 nations.
Division Results
Boys U16
Dion Regan 203 (-7)
Victor Larsson 210 (E)
Boys U21
Sadbhav Acharya 205 (-5)
Victor Viktor Kofod-Olsen 207 (-3)
Girls U16
Arianna Virik 216 (+6)
Bianca Ngecu 221 (+11)
Girls U21
Isobel Kelly 211 (+1)
Michelle Bang 214 (+4)
Main Image: Faldo Series
