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Jumeirah Golf Estates celebrates Captains’ Day with spectacular golf showcases
Over 170 members teed off across Earth and Fire courses, with thrilling finishes, record scores, and standout performances at Dubai’s premier golf destination
- PUBLISHED: Tue 16 Dec 2025, 3:07 PM
- By:
- Leslie Wilson Jr
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Last weekend, Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) came alive with competition and camaraderie as it hosted its annual Captains’ Day, celebrating the contributions of Club Captains Rishad Moloobhoy and Tanya Harrison.
More than 170 members competed in a Pairs Texas Scramble across two composite courses, incorporating holes from both the famed Earth and Fire courses, with prizes awarded for each layout.
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It was a day of exceptional golf, highlighted by the performance of Vajahat Hussain and Rivesh Kumar, who were crowned Overall 2025 Captains’ Day Champions. Posting a remarkable 13-under-par, net 59, the pair clinched victory via a back-nine countback. Their round featured back-to-back net eagles on holes three and four of the Fire course and a flurry of net birdies to close out on the Earth course.
Reflecting on their achievement, Kumar said: “We played incredibly well and putted beautifully on the fantastically maintained greens.
“The pair of us have had a spectacular day here at Jumeirah Golf Estates – the Club, the Captains Tanya and Rishad, and the sponsors have put on such a special day for us, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment.”
In Rishad Moloobhoy’s Composite Course Division, featuring the front nine of Fire and back nine of Earth, Nick Hymas and Abhijit Mehta matched the winning score of 13-under-par, net 59, narrowly missing the overall title on countback.
Thomas Purdy and Tom Neale finished just one stroke behind with 12-under-par, net 60, while Rob Standing and Scott Marshall claimed third with 11-under-par, net 61, delivering a round packed with birdies.
Tanya Harrison’s Composite Course Division saw a thrilling finish as well. Melanie and Kevin Vogeli, a brother-and-sister pairing, emerged victorious on 12-under-par, net 60, marked by three net eagles.
Runners-up Sheila McIlroy and Steve Drake matched the Vogelis’ score but were edged out on countback.
Drake commented: “It was disappointing not to get the win with our good display of golf today, but this disappointment is only short-lived due to the fantastic day our Captains and sponsors have put on for us today – we have had such a great day.”
Captains’ Day also featured pre-golf activations and on-course contests, sponsored by leading brands. Nearest the Pin on the driving range was won by Neils Zilkens, while a putting competition sponsored by Saxo Bank went to Ronan Keating.
On-course competitions included Cadillac-sponsored Nearest the Pin on the 4th (Earth) and 14th (Fire) holes, won by Ricky Aybar and Manu Chauhan, and Longest Drive winners Ed East. Fairway Homes sponsored the iconic 17th hole Nearest the Pin, taken by Nick Hymas, and the Straightest Drive on the 17th (Fire), claimed by Thomas Harrison, Tanya’s son.
The Captains and sponsors were thanked during the Prize Presentation Dinner, with contributions from Bliss Flower Boutique, Banyan Tree Phuket, The Golf Buggy Guy, and Richmond Group helping elevate the day.
The event concluded with a charity auction on the Earth Terrace, supporting the Junior Colleague Fund, which gives back to the junior colleagues who play a vital role in delivering memorable events throughout the year.
Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Captains Tanya Harrison and Rishad Moloobhoy were lauded for their ambassadorship and contribution to the Club’s culture, underscoring why JGE remains one of the UAE’s premier golf destinations.
