DUBAI – Oct. 14, 2004 – Oka Hasyim of Emirates Golf Club and Serifa D’Souza of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club began the new UAE JDP season in style winning their respective divisions on Friday.

Fourteen-year-old Hasyim, who has played golf for five years, mastered the Montgomerie Dubai Par three course in just 27 strokes. A solid round which included only one blemish on the eight hole and one birdie on the hazard fourth hole gave the Indonesian a last six countback over Dhruv Chopra of Nad Al Sheba. Using his new clubs for the first time in competition, Ali Yousuf (TMD- 28) took third place and Nasha Sarkari collected another leading girls’ award with a gross 33.

Ten-year-old Serifa D’Souza (DCGYC) pulled off arguably the most impressive performance of the day. Her gross 29 beat a strong field of juniors both male and older than her. Her victory was so emphatic that the next player, 15-year-old Ravi Day (NASC), was four strokes off her pace. There was a tie in third slot between Ali Alami (EGC), Osama Aslam (TMD) and Ragav Krishnamoorthy (EGC). Ragav came out victorious due to a last six holes of only 21 shots.

Another tie occurred between siblings Jamaica and Madison Isles for the best girls’ award in Division B. The younger of the two sisters, Madison, took the award on a last three card play-off. At the presentation Raimond Legnar, director of sales and marketing for event sponsors, EMAAR Golf, presented the prizes.

The UAE Junior Development Program is supported by the following corporate patrons- EMAAR Properties, Pepsi, Dubai Duty Free, National Bank of Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Golf, DHL and Byrne.

Details may be had from 04 3995060, fax 04 3993225.