JANIK GOHLICH AND MEGAN KELLY WIN AT BAD SAAROW AS FALDO SERIES CELBERATES 10 YEARS IN GERMANY

(Berlin, Germany – August 6^th 2019):Accomplished German junior golfers, Janik Gohlich and Megan Kelly, have won the Germany Boys & Girls Qualifier respectively. This was the fifth out of eight mixed (boys & girls) events of the 2019 Faldo Series Europe calendar. Both Gohlich and Kelly safely secured their debuts at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club, Abu Dhabi for the Europe Grand Final in November.

The event saw a talented international field of 86 junior boys and girls head to the prestigious A-ROSA Resort – Faldo Berlin Bad Saarow. This Faldo Design course is celebrating its tenth year of hosting the Germany Championship and is well known for hosting the 2018 European Amateur Team Championships, as well as being a 2022 Ryder Cup bid host venue. History was made at A-ROSA in 2015 when the course hosted the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final, resulting in the first female overall winner in Europe, Yumi Kudo of Japan.

A-ROSA Resort, the first 5-star superior golf facility in Germany, is home to three superb 18-hole world class golf courses and one 9-hole course. The par-72 Faldo course is the highlight and is widely recognized as one of continental Europe’s finest championship layouts. Officially opened in 1996, the course looks and plays remarkably like a traditional Scottish links course, with 133 pot bunkers, undulating fairways and formidable greens.

Janik Gohlich (Under-16) was a model of consistency throughout the championship and was the only player to shoot three consecutive rounds under-par. Gohlich started the third and final round one shot clear of fellow German Tom Haberer, however, Haberer soon ended his chances of lifting the trophy, with a final round score of 77 (+5) to finish in sixth place overall. Gohlich, who only carded four bogeys across the three rounds, remained in total control and shot an imposing one-under par 71 to finish three shots clear of tied second place players Tim Bertenbreiter, Linus Lang, and Jonas Demant who all finished on a final score of one-under par.

Commenting after his win, Janik Gohlich, said: “I am really pleased to win the FS Germany Championship especially in its 10th year, this is something really special for me. This is only my second time of playing in the Faldo Series – with two very contrasting results. The Faldo course is tough, and I drove the ball beautifully all week, managing to stay out of the thick rough really paid off! My putting wasn’t the best missing plenty of opportunities and with my short game sharp it saved me many times. This is a great confidence boost for me for the rest of the summer. I am really looking forward to heading to the UAE for the first time in November to meet Sir Nick will be amazing!”

Jonas Demant wrapped up the Under-21 category after impressive rounds of 75, 71, 69 (-1). Linus Lang also finished on a total score of one-under par with rounds of 72, 73, 70 to win the Under-18 division and also secure his place at Al Ain.

Megan Kelly and Anna Maria-Diederichs (Under-21 Girls) battled it out in a thrilling playoff following the third round, after both players finished on a total score of six-over par. Kelly managed to come out on top with a birdie on the first playoff hole to secure her place at the Europe Grand Final. In the Girls Under-16 category, Catharina Lohoff posted a respectable two-over par 74 to beat fellow German Eline Dorendorf by one shot and also guarantee her place at Al Ain.

Commenting after her win, Megan Kelly, said: “I would like to thank the A-ROSA Resort and Faldo Series for organising this tournament – the golf course was in great condition as always. I’d also like to mention the other sponsors for supporting this event, it’s greatly appreciated. Finally, I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me and my local golf academy for preparing me for the test of the Series this week. I can’t wait to battle it out with the other competitors at the Grand Final in November.”

Matthew Faldo, Faldo Series Director, commented: “We saw another thrilling week here at A-ROSA Resort – Faldo Berlin. The layout of the golf course is very testing for all the juniors and its great to see how they manage their way around a links style course. To be able to celebrate our tenth year here is remarkable; it certainly is one of the best courses on the European calendar and we look forward to coming back here year after year. I’d like to congratulate all our category winners on qualifying for the Europe Grand Final and I look forward to seeing them all at Al Ain in November.”

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching thousands of junior golfers each year. Past winners include Major Champion Rory McIlroy, Eddie Pepperell, Matt Wallace, Danny Willet and former Tour Pro, Nick Dougherty.

Leading final scores:

Boys’ Under-21:

Jonas Demant -1

Florian Schrodl EVS (Par)

Boys’ Under-18:

Linus Lang -1

Maximilian Mayridl +4

Boys’ Under-16:

Janik Gohlich -4

Tim Bertenbreiter -1

Girls’ Under-21:

Megan Kelly +6