The eighth annual AEGAON Golf Open took place on 22 August at Pärnu Bay Golf Club. Stormy weather forced 19 players to withdraw, while 120 bravely battled the elements in a round that stretched to nearly six hours. This year’s prize pool was equally impressive, approaching €60,000. During the charity tournament, €4,900 was raised with the help of players and sponsors to support talented young golfer Roosi Ristal.
Interest in this year’s tournament was exceptionally high – the event sold out three months in advance, with 139 players on the starting list. Unfortunately, the challenging conditions of high winds and heavy rains forced 19 competitors to withdraw. Despite this, there was plenty of excitement and strong performances on the course right until the end.
One player who did not let the weather get him down was AEGAON co-founder Kristjan Rabi, who achieved a personal best with 30 points, finishing in 10th place.
“By the fourth hole, our entire flight was soaked through, and we still had another five hours to go. The supportive group kept everyone’s spirits up and helped each other through the toughest moments. I have never played golf in weather this extreme, and I probably never will again. This is a tournament I will undoubtedly remember for the rest of my life,” commented Kristjan Rabi.
The most important result of the day, however, was the contribution to charity. A total of €4,900 was raised this year to support young golfer Roosi Ristal. The funds will help Roosi participate in training camps and tournaments. Tournament organiser Peep Tammemäe was almost lost for words at the result.
“This is wonderful news and a major step forward in Roosi’s journey as an athlete. Strong supporters such as AEGAON and Port Artur create the opportunities young talents need to reach the top. International training camps and the U18 girls’ tournament in Italy this September will be invaluable to Roosi’s development,” said Peep Tammemäe, visibly moved.
Nearly €60,000 in Prizes and Exciting New Side Competitions Added Extra Thrills to the Tournament Day
For the first time, the morning of the tournament featured special charity challenges. In one of them, players had the chance to win a Big Green Egg grill worth €2,000. Participants made a €20 donation in exchange for five golf balls and had to hit at least one of them through the ventilation opening of a three-metre-high grill.
In the Husqvarna nearest-to-the-pin competition, the most accurate player won a Husqvarna robotic lawn mower worth €3,000.
Two holes offered particularly attractive prizes for anyone scoring a hole-in-one.
On Hole 2, players had the chance to win a Lexus LBX with a hole-in-one. No one managed the perfect shot this time, so the Lexus returned to the showroom, where it remains available for anyone interested in making it their own.
On Hole 4, a hole-in-one would have earned the player a BoGolf fitting session and new golf equipment. This prize also went unclaimed.
The remaining prizes, however, went home with plenty of happy winners.
On Hole 10, the longest-drive competition offered a Husqvarna trimmer as the prize. Alvar Silm won the men’s category, while Jana Raudvere took the women’s title.
On Hole 14, players competed in a nearest-to-the-pin challenge for an Assa Abloy smart lock. Johann Aleksander Alasi won the men’s category with a distance of 2.17 metres, while Kairi Luur won the women’s category with 1.15 metres.
On Hole 17, a Husqvarna leaf blower was awarded in another nearest-to-the-pin competition. Margus Hütt won the men’s category and Kristi Õng the women’s category.
The top three players in every category received specially designed medals as well as the newest and rarest AEGAON watch models. The AEGAON Open perpetual trophy, created by Kristjan Oden, was once again presented to the winner. In addition, a record number of raffle prizes donated by supporters and sponsors were given away compared with previous tournaments.
RESULTS
Men, HCPI 0–10, HCP Stroke Play
- Johann Aleksander Alasi – 67
- Einārs Trankalis – 75
- Andres Esko – 76
Men, HCPI 10.1–20.0, HCP Stroke Play
- Meelis Mõttus – 69
- Taavi Tavaste – 71
- Tõnu Ehrpais – 72
Men, HCPI 20.1–36, Stableford
- Timo Siim – 44 points
- Andre Poolma – 43 points
- Toomas Varek – 36 points
Women, HCPI 0–15, HCP Stroke Play
- Kaja Merila-Remmel – 72
- Kairi Luur – 75
- Jana Raudvere – 76
Women, HCPI 15.1–25.0, HCP Stroke Play
- Laydi Saaremets – 71
- Liana Iila – 72
- Rita Toomesso – 72
Women, HCPI 25.1–36, Stableford
- Jelena Sõukand – 45 points
- Gisela Toomesoo – 42 points
- Mary Leok – 41 points
The day’s best gross score in the men’s competition was recorded by Johann Aleksander Alasi with 73 strokes.
In the women’s competition, Jana Raudvere and Kaja Merila-Remmel finished with identical scores. As there was no playoff this year, Jana Raudvere took the win based on her lower HCPI.
AEGAON Thanks All Supporters
A special thank you goes to this year’s title sponsor, Husqvarna.
The organising team would also like to thank all other supporters and partners: Lexus, Tanni kauplus, Assa Abloy, Golfin, Tanker, Wasa Resort, Coca-Cola, Don Simon, BoGolf, Casa Charlize, Da Vinci, Peter Mikheim, Mo Saaremaa, Business Galerii, The Vanetea Shop, Avène, Monster, Big Green Egg, LGFG Fashion House, Vitamin Well, Pärnu Bay Golf, Europcar, Sander Saat and Port Artur.
Special thanks go to Eero and Külli from Tanni kauplus. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Kaire for hosting us and to Egel Restaurant for the excellent catering.
Above all, our biggest thanks go to the players. Your trust and enthusiasm to return year after year give us every reason to keep developing the AEGAON Golf Open. Although the challenging conditions meant the pace of play did not quite follow the planned schedule this year, we hope the great company, exciting competition and shared purpose made the day well worth the effort.
See you next year at the 9th AEGAON Golf Open!