QUALITY FIELD CONFIRMED FOR JORDAN OPEN

 Some of the best players from across the region have confirmed that they will compete in this weekend’s Jordan Golf Open being held at the Ayla Golf Course in Aqaba.

Over 70 players are expected, including the top ranked players from Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon who will come against the best players from Jordan as well as a sprinkling of top notch expatriate golfers that are based in the region.

Moving the event to the Greg Norman-designed par 72 course and extending the gross event to three days has paid dividends with organisers hailing this edition as the most competitive in its 27-year history.

“We are very pleased with the quality of field expected to play,” said Hani Abdallat, President of the Jordan Golf Federation.

“It promises to be a very competitive weekend. There are some top players flying in so our three-time reigning champion Amer Radee (of Iraq) can expect some very tough competition.”

Thirteen-year-old sensation Shergo Kurdi will lead Jordan’s chase for the top prize along with teammate Riyad Al Majali. Palestine’s Bilal Al Attaya, Lebanon’s Namer Sa’ed and Rasheed Aqel and the USA’s Mike Hoover are expected to provide the biggest challenges.

The Jordan Open was moved to the Aqaba-based Ayla course in October for the first time, and the tournament has been brought forward to March this year to take advantage of better regional scheduling, which appears to have paid off.

It is hoped the course will host a number of future big regional golf events. The Open tees off on Thursday with the gross event to be held over the three days while the net event will be held on Friday and Saturday.