- Jordan Mixed Open Presented by Ayla proves a huge success, as Dutchman Daan Huizing clinches inaugural championship at Ayla Golf Club -

Aqaba, Jordan, Monday 8th April: The Jordan Mixed Open Presented by Ayla, a pioneering new tournament engineered by the team at Ayla Golf Club, has proved an undisputed success, with competitors from all three co-sanctioning tours concurring that the innovative mixed format could set a blueprint for the future of the game.

In a nail-biting finish to the inaugural event, which witnessed competitors from the Challenge Tour, Staysure Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET) compete alongside one another for the first time, Dutchman Daan Huizing (Challenge Tour) saw off Meghan MacLaren (LET) to claim a two-shot victory and carve his name on the Triquetra Trophy with an impressive 16-under-par total.

Runner-up, MacLaren, who had previously spoken out about the disparity between pay and coverage of the men’s and women’s tours, demonstrated exceptional strength of character as she backed up her words with actions and highlighted the vast talent that presides on the Ladies European Tour with two consecutive rounds of 7-under-par 65, before final round of level par 72.

Reflecting on the week, the Englishwomen commented: “Yes I’m disappointed, but if what I’ve achieved this week has made a small step towards shining a spotlight on the Ladies European Tour then that has to be a good thing. Massive recognition to all those who have made this happen, the event concept panned out perfectly in terms of the amount of players making the cut and I hope that this is just the start of bigger things for the women’s game.”

In fact, with an almost equal number of players from each co-sanctioning tour making it through to the final day’s play and the leading three players composed of one competitor from each circuit, the script couldn’t have been written better for the team at Ayla Golf Club, who have been instrumental in the success of the innovative tournament.

The success of the tournament has been attributed to the cutting-edge infrastructure Ayla has made available at its premises, effectively bolstering Aqaba’s readiness to host large-scale golf events at such a global scale. More importantly, it also demonstrates the skill and dedication of Ayla’s team, whose commitment has allowed the project to propel the development of Jordan’s golf landscape.

“It has been a truly remarkable week,” commented Chris White, the Director of Operations at Ayla Oasis. “The tournament has not only showcased the shared drive and passion between men and women, but also what Jordan can offer as a golf destination. Congratulations to our champion Daan Huizing who played exceptional golf and to all those who made this unforgettable week possible.”

The week, which showcased the potential and beauty of a country where golf remains in its infancy, was peppered with historic moments, including the first husband-and-wife to compete alongside one another in a professional golf tournament, and the first full-field golf tournament to see men and women go head-to-head over the same course for a single prize purse.

“We are really pleased with the great success that the Jordan Mixed Open presented by Ayla has achieved," commented Ayla's Chairman, Khaled Masri. "This first-of-its-kind international golf tournament has attracted many golf enthusiasts and tourists from around the globe, effectively placing Jordan on the map of major golf events internationally. We hope to maintain this growing trend and will continue to welcome new global and regional championships to our world-class golf course.”

ENDS

About Ayla
Ayla, a dream conceived, the destination sculpted out of the coast of Aqaba and dedicated to inspiring lives by delivering a blend of art, music, sports, well-being, recreation and entertainment activities.

Inspiring lives by Reinventing Seaside Living. Redesigning landscapes, reinvigorating communities, reenergizing lifestyles, AYLA is driven by passion, dreams and life. Passionately sculpted out of the coast of Aqaba and the Red Sea, Ayla is where design and art intertwine with nature providing 17km of waterside living in a vibrant community.

Ayla’s design and architecture are inspired by Aqaba’s natural beauty fused with a modern and eclectic style that delivers a relaxed and comforting environment. Living in Ayla is not just about owning a home in a secure community but also about being part of an extended family, the Ayla family.

Ayla is built around turquoise man-made lagoons surrounded by luxury and boutique hotels, white-sand beach clubs, a world-class marina, Jordan’s first 18-hole signature golf course, as well as exclusive contemporary residential and retail developments.

The private community is comprised of five districts: Marina, Lagoons, Creek, Golf Hills, and Avenue. The contemporary accommodation in each of the districts is designed to give residents and visitors breath-taking panoramic views of the waterfront, green landscapes, and mountains.

Offering a myriad of retail, dining, and entertainment venues, Ayla’s colourful and dynamic community intends to be home to key seasonal events covering art, music, sports, recreation and entertainment activities throughout the year for residents and visitors to enjoy and experience.