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The 2025 Jumeirah Golf Estates Club Championship, by WOW HYDRATE, delivered a weekend of high drama as 168 competitors across the ladies, seniors, and men divisions were set up for a weekend to remember.
Round 1 was played over the Fire course on Saturday 19th April, and Round 2 over the Earth course the following day, in a 36-hole tournament.
After a great display of golf over the weekend and a tight finish up the 36th hole of the tournament, Tom Stephenson was crowned 2025 Men’s Jumeirah Golf Estates Club Champion for a second year in a row.
Stephenson was leading by two shots after an opening round of 69, three under par on the Fire course, and managed to hold on to his lead in the second round, despite some strong competition from his playing partners, Tom Neale and Ayaan Dadabhoy.
The three skilled competitors were all tied at one under par with just two holes to go, but Stephenson birdied the last hole of the tournament to win by just one stroke, finishing with scores of 69 and 74, totalling 143, gross one under par.
Tom Stephenson 2025 Men’s Club Champion Winner
Stephenson commented on his victory: “I would like to thank the entire Team here at Jumeirah Golf Estates, from the Agronomy Team to Food and Beverage, Golf Operations and all the amazing people that made this weekend possible. You made us all feel like Touring Professionals, it was such an enjoyable and prestigious event.”
Tom Neale settled for the runner-up position after two great rounds of 73 on Fire, and 71 on Earth, finishing the weekend on (gross) level par, just one stroke behind. In third spot, after a back nine countback saw David Bainbridge clinch a podium finish, with an impressive second round of (gross) level par, and prior 75 on Fire course, totalling 147, gross three over par.
Aalaa Somji 2025 Ladies Club Champion Winner
In the Ladies Gross Division, Aalaa Somji opened with a superb 74, gross two over on the Fire course, as she looked to defend her spot as Ladies Club Champion. Aalaa went on to shoot 79 on the Earth course and successfully retain her Club Championship title on a winning total of 153, gross nine over par.
Sophia Zbiri pushed hard throughout the weekend with rounds of 81 and 77, finishing five strokes back as the runner-up, on her total of 158, gross 14 over par.
Gerhard Vorster 2025 Senior Club Champion Winner
The Seniors Division delivered another close contest, with just three strokes separating first from third place. Gerhard Vorster claimed the 2025 Seniors Club Champion title with rounds of 74 on Fire and 81 on Earth, totalling 155 gross and finishing 11 over par.
James Finnigan, who had won the title in both 2023 and 2024, came in just two strokes behind at 157, while Chris Wilmot secured third place with a total of 158, despite an impressive opening round of 74, two over par in the first round. The three gentlemen received a warm round of applause at the Prize Presentation in appreciation for their well-contested battle over the weekend, which ultimately saw Vorster prevail.
In the Men’s Net Division, Erik Petermeijer captured the title in dramatic fashion. After a solid 75 on Fire, Erik lit up the Earth course with a stunning net 68 to finish at net one under par, 143 total. A back-nine countback was required to separate him from Steven Punch, who also posted a net total of 143 following rounds of 72 and 71. Scott Marshall rounded out the podium at level par after his consistent play over both days, with net scores of 71 and 73.
The Ladies Net Division saw a brilliant performance from Katherine Martin, who emerged victorious by carding back-to-back net 73’s to claim the title at just two-over-par (total 146). She was closely followed by Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Inaugural Lady Captain Sheila McIlroy, who fought hard with rounds of 77 on Fire and 74 on Earth to finish at seven over par, net 151.
Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, expressed his appreciation for the exceptional efforts behind the scenes and congratulated the competitors on their performances: “We witnessed some truly outstanding golf this weekend, and I want to congratulate every player who took part.
“The commitment and camaraderie on display was fantastic, and we had a thriller of a finish in the Men’s Championship, which came down to the wire on the 36th hole this afternoon. I’d also like to offer a special thank you to our Agronomy Team, whose dedication and attention to detail ensured both the Fire and Earth courses were presented in true championship condition.”
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Main Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates
