AR
The Junior Masters Open Tour opens up a world of opportunity for players across the region
By Kent Gray
Juniors with ambitions of playing collegiate golf and the game’s biggest amateur events are being urged to sign up for the second season of the Junior Masters Open Tour (JMOT).
With Global Junior Golf Rankings (GJGR) points on offer across nine tournaments from October to April in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, the 2019-2020 season is shaping up to be an exciting introduction to the golf’s elite level.
More than 80 players competed last season in age-groups spanning eight to 19-year-olds, including 16 girls and overseas players. Open to juniors of all skill levels, three more events have been added this season with five of the nine tournaments 36-hole affairs.
The circuit also gives players a chance to be ranked on the Junior Golf Score Board. Together with GJGR points, it’s the best way for young amateurs to qualify for leading amateur events around the world and court potential college scouts.
Divisional champions at a JMOT event last year.
Playing for gross and net prizes in different age-group divisions, the overall Order of Merit champions are presented with Masters-like green jackets at seasons end. The JMOT also helps the more serious players navigate the “sometimes complicated and confusing procedures required to compete in professional and high-class junior tournaments.”
“The main goal of this tour is to introduce youth to the professional golf sport, encourage friendships and a life-long love for the game and provide competition for golfers of all skill levels,” said Abedallah Shana’ah, managing director of Golf Events Management, the JMOT’s organising body.
“It’s also designed to…lead juniors to the path to be a professional golfer.”
Shana’ah said further expansion was also planned.
“We began last year with one tour in the UAE which includes six tournaments only. This year we have two major tours on in UAE which have nine tournaments and the other in Egypt which has seven tournaments. This will make it easy for the juniors in the Middle East to claim more points in the ranking and get their spot to the top.”
Mousa Shana’ah and Siti Latifah won the green jackets as overall Junior Masters Open Tour Order of Merit winners last season.
Ali Kalbat, general manager of Golf Events Management, added: “We are so proud that we are the first we establish the golf tours with the global ranking in the Middle East and also the first to establish the same in Africa. We will keep developing the tour to be one of the best and biggest junior tours, not in the region only but in the world.”
Junior Masters Open Tour (2019-2020 Schedule)
2019
1. Oct 18-19: Yas Links Golf Club (36 holes)
2. Nov 9: JA The Resort Golf Course (18)
3. Nov 30: Abu Dhabi Golf Club (27)
2020
4. Jan 11: Yas Links Golf Club (18)
5. Feb 1: The Track, Meydan Golf (18)
6. Feb 21-22: Tower Links Golf Club (36)
7. March 6-7: Al Hamra Golf Club (36)
8. March 27-28: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (36)
9. April 24-25: Jumeirah Golf Estates – Fire (36)
Visit Junior Masters Open Tour on Facebook and Instagram via @golfeventmanagement
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