World Amateur Match Race Official Tournament Magazine / ISSUE 3_2023

IN THIS ISSUE

6 TIME FOR WORLD FINAL AGAIN

The next group of teams that will compete in the World Final in Dubai are ready. Let's introduce each one of them.

14 THE FINAL COURSE PROFILE

The Majlis Championship CourseEmirates Golf Club

16 FAVOURITE HOLES

After playing all the final courses, we selected our favourite holes from each one

20 NEW SEASON START 2023

The sign-ups for Season Start #1-2023 have already exceeded 18,000 Only 5 weeks away

27 TEAM PLAYER PROFILE

Meet Dermot & Eveline O‘Grady from Switzerland.

30 WORLD PADEL RACE

Preparations are underway for the May 2023 World Final in Dubai

The World Amateur Match Race Official Tournament Magazine is published by Happy Software Sport Organizer DMCC

PUBLISHER: HAAKAN AAKERLUND / EMAIL: HAKAN@HAPPYTECHGROUP COM

ADVERTISING & CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP: MARTIN JENSEN / EMAIL: MARTIN@HAPPYTECHGROUP COM

"Akram Skaik - General Director of Emirates Golf Federation & Masoud Sobati - Sponsor of the Swarovskiencrusted golf club trophy for The final in Dubai."

We were thrilled to receive fantastic feedback from the players during our previous World Final in November 2022, and we are deeply grateful for their valuable input. We are committed to using their feedback to improve our tournament and ensure that every finalist has a truly professional and exceptional experience

Our upcoming World Final will be an unforgettable event for all involved, with 36 finalists from 8 different countries staying at a luxurious hotel on "The Palm" in Dubai, right on the beach!

They will have the opportunity to play on three stunning golf courses: Montgomerie, Dubai Creek Golf Club, and the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Course.

On top of all that, we are also getting ready for the World Amateur Match Race 2023, which kicks off locally on May 1st. We are thrilled to already have over 18,000 signups and we are expecting many more to come!

If you haven't signed up or paid yet, you need to hurry to secure your spot in the local group race.

We want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter, and we cannot wait to welcome you all to Dubai soon!

Sten Haakan Aakerlund Tournament Director World Amateur Match Race

WEEKS

WORLD FINAL DUBAI SEASON START #2-2022

16 - 20 April 2023

DAY PROGRAM

SUNDAY 16 APRIL - ARRIVAL

ALL-DAY 08:00 PM -

ARRIVAL AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - AIRPORT PICKUP

WELCOME DRINKS AT BLACK FLAMINGO LOCATED IN THE HOTEL

MONDAY 17 APRIL - FINAL ROUND 1 - MONTGOMERIE GOLF COURSE

08:10 AM - 09:30 AM 08:40 AM - 10:00 AM

AM - 11:00 AM AFTER THE GOLF ROUND

PM

PM - 09:30 PM

DEPARTURE FROM THE HOTEL TO THE MONTGOMERIE COURSE

TEAM REGISTRATION AT THE GOLF CLUB

TEE TIME

FREE TIME (TRANSPORTATION WILL BE ARRANGED BACK TO THE HOTEL)

DEPARTURE HOTEL

BOAT TRIP AND DAILY PRIZE CEREMONY - 3 HOURS.

TUESDAY 18 APRIL - FINAL ROUND 2 - DUBAI CREEK CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE

- 09:30 AM

DEPARTURE FROM THE HOTEL TO THE DUBAI CREEK COURSE

TEAM REGISTRATION AT THE GOLF CLUB

TEE TIME

PRIZE CEREMONY AT THE CLUB

TRANSPORTATION WILL BE ARRANGED BACK TO THE HOTEL

DRINKS & FOOD AT FEBRUARY30 - 20 M FROM THE HOTEL

WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL - FINAL ROUND 3 - EMIRATES GOLF CLUB - MAJLIS COURSE

AM -

AM

AM

AM - 11:20 AM

AFTER THE GOLF ROUND DEPARTURE TO HOTEL 08:00 PM -

DEPARTURE FROM THE HOTEL TO THE MAJLIS COURSE

TEAM REGISTRATION AT THE GOLF CLUB

TEE TIME

PRIZE CEREMONY AT THE CLUB

TRANSPORTATION WILL BE ARRANGED BACK TO THE HOTEL

FAREWELL DINNER AT TONINO LAMBORGHINI SKYPOOL RESTAURANT - 13.TH FLOOR HOTEL

THURSDAY 20 APRIL - DEPARTURE

12:00 AM

CHECK-OUT FROM THE HOTEL - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN AIRPORT TRANSFER

Final Team 3

Final Team 9

Final Team 15

The flagship golf course at Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course, is a great par 72, 7,301-yard championship golf course set in the stunning backdrop of Dubai Marina. Emirates Golf Club Majlis Course offers the ultimate test for all finalists in this year's competition.

The Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai is the Grand Dame of golf in the UAE.

It was the first course to be built in the area in 1987. There was nothing around the course besides the desert - now it is surrounded by the city. That makes for some dramatic backdrops to holes (none more so probably than the iconic tee shot on the 8th hole), but actually, the city itself doesn't impinge on the course.

We played the course just a few days after the Dubai Desert Classic. The players had praised the quality of the course, saying it was the best it had ever played and the greens were the fastest they had ever seen on the European Tour.

The greens had slowed down a bit when we got there, which was lucky for us and our score on the track. The rough was absolutely brutal, so a tip is to stay on the fairway, which will pay off in terms of results.

Holes 7, 8 and 9th are some fantastic holes where a lot can be decided. 7 is a lovely par 3 over the water before the famous hole 8, par 4, which is probably one of the most iconic holes in the world. It requires a good drive to reach the green on the next shot. There is a good video here that shows how to play hole 8.

During the World Final in Dubai this April, we will have the pleasure of playing on three exceptional golf courses. Both our Tournament Director, Sten Haakan Aakerlund, and his son Carl Aakerlund have played all the courses and have picked their favorite holes from each one.

Montgomerie Championship Course

The first final round will be played on Montgomerie Championship Course.

Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai, set in the heart of the prestigious Emirates Hills, is a design collaboration between golfing great Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead. A links-land style oasis with over 200 acres and featuring 14 lakes and 81 bunkers which will challenge players of all levels.

The 18th, Montgomerie Golf Club 567 Yards, Par 5, Stroke Index 1

The 18th on The Monty is undoubtedly a strong finishing hole designed to provide a dramatic finish.

How many good and great rounds at The Monty have been sunk by Colin’s (in)-famous closing hole? Finding dry land off one of the numerous teeing grounds is cause for mini celebration but this par 5 will keep you sweating till the end. Absolutely our favorite hole, even the best of all three favorite holes

Hole FAVORITE

Dubai Creek Championship Golf Course

The second round is played on the Dubai Creek championship golf course Golf World Magazine has voted this course one of the world’s ‘Top Must-Play Golf Courses

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opened in January 1993 to world acclaim, and since then, it has hosted numerous tournaments and events, including the Dubai Desert Classic, on two occasions. Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke jointly hold the course record of 63.

Hole 6 is one of the most iconic holes in the Middle East and one of the most daunting, particularly the tee shot from the tee floating in The Creek. But our favourite hole is.

FAVORITE

Hole

The 18th, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

421 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 3

Likewise, be thankful you haven’t had to play the previous hole at the Creek before you roll up to this beautifully brutal par 4. There is actually no option here other than hitting it arrow straight down the middle and then purposefully onto the green. There is no Creek, or sand, or rocks guarding the green to send your ball there anyway. Whom are we kidding? Grab a group selfie with the iconic clubhouse in the background, and forget that double. Or was it a triple?

The final round is played at The flagship golf course at Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course, is a great par 72, 7,301yard championship golf course set in the stunning backdrop of Dubai Marina. Emirates Golf Club Majlis Course offers the ultimate test for all finalists in this year's competition.

The famous hole 8, par 4, which is probably one of the most iconic holes in the world. It requires a good drive to reach the green on the next shot. But our favourite hole is.

The 18th, Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course

527 Yards, Par 4, Stroke Index 10

It’s the scene of so much OMEGA Dubai Desert and Moonlight Classics glory – and amateur heartache.

Go straight off the tee and you run the risk of not reaching the corner of the dogleg and blocking yourself out or overpowering things and running out of fairway. Hit it too far left and you’re in the trees or lush rough at best. Somewhere in between and either wooden or watery fate potentially awaits. Then you must decide to go for it or lay-up and test your nerve over the water. Short is wet while air mailing the green brings another chance of the same. A brilliant strategic test.

2023 is off to a great start for the World Amateur Match Race (WAMR), with sky-high registration numbers already surpassing +18,000.

The tournament is set to start on May 1st, and the interest and excitement surrounding the event are clear.

This tremendous development is a testament to the trust in the Happy Tech Group, the organizers behind WAMR, as well as the growing popularity of the tournament worldwide. The increased interest in the tournament is a result of the hard work and dedication put into promoting and improving WAMR every year

is c on he reg

SEASON START #1

WIN A PLACE AT THE DUBAI FINAL 2023

PLAY LOCALLY IN YOUR COUNTRY FROM MAY-OCTOBER 2023

SIGN-UP NOW

WWW.WORLDAMATEURMATCHRACE.COM

Absolutely crazy records

More than +18,000 signups during the month of March. We will break all records before the start of the tournament

January

More finalists this year

Always the same chance to qualify for the final. win 8 local matches and you are directly qualified to a magical paid final experience in Dubai

Flexible schedule

Get ready to join the local group of 16 teams in your area! With 14-28 days to play each round and two reserve players available for each team, you're all set for an action-packed tournament.

MARCH REGISTRATION FOR THE TOP 20 COUNTRIES

Kelvin & Jose Luis - Canada: Hello friends, I take this moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart this beautiful unforgettable experience with all of you. A special thank you to Hakan, Andreas, Paul, Carl and Martin for everything, and we will see you in 2023

Luiza & Sylvie - Germany: Dear Martin and dear all the WAMR team Thank you all for those intensive, challenging and unforgettable days You guys did the “Hole in one ”

Thomas & Tom Miller - Canada: Thank you for organizing the World Amateur Match Race and bringing 36 teams from around the world to Dubai. It was a golf experience to cherish. The courses were outstanding and all three had fantastic finishing holes On a personal note it was quality time with my son and the memories are priceless

Ben & James - Australia: Hi Martin and the WAMR team I just wanted to thank you all for creating such an amazing experience for the World Final in Dubai All three days of golf were fantastic and, coupled with the welcome yacht party and farewell beach party, made for a truly once in a lifetime experience

- Starts locally in your country with 16 teams in each group

Winner Bracket (All teams starts here) Loser Bracket

Advance to the Playoffs 2nd

Winner Bracket "Season Start 1 - 2023"

Round 1: 1 May - 14 May (14 days)

Round 2: 15 May - 28 May (14 days)

Round 3: 29 May - 25 Jun (28 days)

WB Final: 26 Jun - 23 Jul (28 days)

Loser Bracket "Season Start 1 - 2023"

Round 1: 15 May- 28 May (14 days)

Round 2: 29 May - 11 Jun (14 days)

Round 3: 12 Jun - 25 Jun (14 days)

Round 4: 26 Jun - 9 Jul (14 days)

Round 5: 10 Jul - 23 Jul (14 days)

LB Final: 24 Jul - 6 Aug (14 days)

Do not miss the opportunity to use reserve players.

If you cannot play all the matches during the World Amateur Match Race, do not worry; we got a solution for you and your team! Each team has the right to use two reserve players, and you may only use the same players. These reserves can complement the team if needed throughout the competition.

Using up to two reserve players during the competition gives the team the necessary flexibility in case of injury, work, vacation, etc.

Winners play in the World Final in Dubai

- November 2023.

For all teams that win their group playoffs, a magical golfing experience awaits in Dubai, where flight, hotel and golf courses are paid for

As an amateur player, you will feel and be treated like the pros on “The Tour ”

Playoff Bracket (Winners from 8 local Group Race)

Round of 16 7 Aug - 26 Aug (20 days)

Quarter Finals 27 Aug - 11 Sep (16 days)

Semi Finals 12 Sep - 30 Sep (19 days)

Playoff Final 1 Oct - 16 Oct (16 days)

Dermot & Eveline O‘Grady from Switzerland

INTERVIEWED BY MARTIN JENSEN

Dermot and Eveline O'Grady, a dynamic mixed couple from Switzerland, made history last year by qualifying for a place in the 2022 WAMR World Final. Their remarkable journey is further highlighted by the fact that they are married, infusing an amazing level of enthusiasm into the competition.

Please tell me a bit about your team.

Dermot: I actually grew up next door to the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia (where the LIV event will be played in April 2023) but since I was such an avid tennis player, I never played golf until I was in University in America. Since then I have enjoyed playing with friends and family and managed to get my handicap down to 23.

Eveline: Dermot and I first met at the Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt in Austria, where he was working as my tennis coach. Soon we got married and relocated to Abu Dhabi, where I began my journey as a golfer, practising under the floodlights of the Golf & Equestrian Club. Despite playing with a handicap of 33, I played a pivotal role for our team during the WAMR. Participating in the World Final was an unforgettable experience, made even more meaningful by the fact that my husband and I were able to compete together and share such an amazing moment.

Dermot: Living in the Swiss Alps, we don't have the luxury of playing golf all year round. I am a member of the Golf Club Bubikon and I try to play once a week. Nevertheless, I am a frequent player and a proud member of the Golf Club Bubikon. Eveline, on the other hand, only plays occasionally due to her numerous hobbies and demanding schedule of working 90% while also taking care of our active and athletic children. Our daughter Kimmi, with a handicap of 39, and son Nikki, with a handicap of 44, love to play golf with their grandmother Pia, who has an impressive handicap of 22. They are eagerly preparing to participate one day in the World Final in Dubai.

The final in Dubai, was it the experience you expected?

Eveline: After viewing all the videos about the finals, we thought that this is too good to be true. It was even better than we imagined, being there with so many awesome people, and getting looked after like pros on tour! The organizers really exceeded our expectations … and the magical event was topped off with an exhilarating open-air party at BlaBla Beach Club!

What did the biggest impact on you at the final in Dubai in 2022?

Dermot: Meeting and making friends with all of the players from around the world made it a very family-like affair, which brought a nice touch to the healthy competition.

Eveline: I loved the welcome yacht party!! Great weather, food and drinks … dancing into the sunset with a cool DJ and saxophonists on board. Just look at this video!

What do you like most about the tournament concept?

Dermot: What stood out the most to me was the online scorecard, which served as a user-friendly tool that provided transparency for both teams. Another feature we appreciated was the ability to explore and play at various clubs that we might not have otherwise had access to. Additionally, it was a thrilling experience to compete (and win) against high handicappers and witness their occasional struggles as well….hahahah.

Only 4 wins and you are back at the World Final 2023. Can you handle the pressure?

Dermot: We are well aware of how difficult it is to squeeze through each round, and now that Eveline needs to play off a 26 handicap … her swimming, biking, tennis, jogging, mushroom hunting & other extras will need to take a back seat this season so we can compete..hahahaha!

Eveline: I love my mushroom hunting, but I am sure we will do whatever it takes to come back to Dubai in November. Every time we look at these videos it makes us come back instantly.

Our finalists will have the unique opportunity to play on brand new floating padel courts

World Amateur Padel Race - is our second sport concept outside the "golf world", and we are now working on the preparations for the World Finals in Dubai 18-20 May 2023. right in the heart of the DMCC, located in the Jumeirah Lake Towers district of Dubai.

We are excited to share the news of our alliance with PadelX, the innovator behind the extraordinary concept of a floating padel court, which is expected to elevate the World Amateur Padel Race to unprecedented levels. We aim to provide our finalists with an exceptional and unparalleled experience.