emirates amateur golf league
Like a Pro
THE EMIRATES AMATEUR GOLF LEAGUE’S DRESS-REHEARSAL
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HAS GARNERED WIDE-SPREAD ACCLAIM
hat will it be like teeing it up in the pioneering Emirates Amateur Golf League (EAGL) once the game’s answer to IPL cricket takes flight proper? ▶ Utterly compelling if the evidence from the EAGL’s ‘Mini-Series’ coming-out party is any indication. From inside the ropes and behind the TV cameras at Jumeirah Golf Estates last month to the global social media reaction afterwards, the feedback to the ambitious concept was unanimously positive. Emirates Golf Club seven-handicapper and Golf Digest Middle East Top-10 courses judge Jayshree Gupta produced one of the most telling quotes after the 9-hole dress rehearsal on the Fire course. “It does feel a bit like a Pro-Am except the pros are missing!” said Gupta who represented the Dubai Tigers.
14 golfdigestme.com | july 2021
That will be music to EAGL founder and CEO Sudesh Aggarwal’s ears. He set out to spice up the traditional corporate golf day by giving amateurs a pro-tour level experience with the added flavour – and associated pressure – of playing in a team environment aka the Ryder Cup. “There are definitely people who [will] like this format, who like to feel the pressure of the cameras and having people follow them around. It does make you want to be a better golfer so I think from that perspective it’s very good for amateur golf,” said Gupta. “It’s incredible organisation by Sudesh and his team… it’s been fun to have the cameras and caddies around.” Deepak Jain, who helped the MENA Golfers to victory, was glowing in his assessment of the day and specifically the live online stream with commentary from Graham Clews. “It was a fantastic experience. I had friends sitting in the Maldives, India and the USA watching it on social media, so it was a great day. We got the