Yahoo News 
Hunting in Pairs: Watch top golf club stars at UAE Finals
Some of the finest club golfers in the UAE will be seen in action when the National Final of the third Tech Access International Pairs UAE takes place at Yas Links later this week.
On Friday, June 7, 16 pairs, who have earned their right to be at Yas Links through qualifying events in 16 different golf courses of the country, will tee off for what promises to be a hotly-contested event.
The champion team will proceed to the International Pairs World Final in Scotland where they will have the honour of representing the UAE and compete with teams from over 30 countries.
With only 15 pairs to beat, all teams will fancy their chances and it is difficult to pick a clear favourite.
Last year, juniors featured in the top-two pairings, but with none in the field this year and five mixed teams in the draw, perhaps this will be the year that will see the first lady go on to represent the UAE.
Of the ladies in the field, Elizabeth Campbell will play on her home course alongside Bill Lisgo, but the ever-dangerous Alan and Soumaya Salem from Emirates Golf Club will be keen to add yet another big win to their tally.
Single-figure handicaps of Jonathan and Michelle Hall (Jumeirah Golf Estates) will surely help on the tricky links course.
If current form is any yardstick, winner of the last two Qualifiers, Ishwar Jodha and Ashok Ahuja (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) and Larry Benson and Chris Moore of Al Ain will start as favourites.
Benson is playing in his second UAE Final, but if this stands him in good stead, it would be prudent to expect big things from Rene Valencia and Ramesh Emmanuel of Al Ghazal Golf Club, who make their second consecutive appearance.
Jake Maki-Petaja and Dewald Lubbe from Al Hamra Golf Club, who qualified late when their Qualifier winners became unavailable, boast the lowest combined handicaps in the field (2.1 and 1.9), although current Montgomerie Dubai Club Champion, Charlie Simpson, is the lowest handicapper, playing off an impressive +1. Charlie will partner Michael Thompson.
The experts, however, are touting the impressive duo from Al Badia Golf Club, Antony Su and Zhendong Tan. After a convincing victory in their qualifier, this dynamic duo have been working hard on their respective games.
Su is the youngest player in the field at the age of 20, while the distinction of being the senior most participant belongs to Alan Bushnell of Sharjah Wanderers.
WHAT: The International Pairs UAE National Final
WHEN: Friday, June 7
WHERE: Yas Links Anu Dhabi
CONTACT: Please mail Chris Turlik at cturlik@internationalpairs.com
LIST OF FINALISTS
Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Rania Hage & Graham Atherton
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
Sid Elday & CJ Niver
Yas Links
Elizabeth Campbell & Bill Lisgo
Emirates Golf Club
Alan & Soumaya Salem
The Address Montgomerie Dubai
Michael Thompson & Charlie Simpson
Al Hamra Golf Club
Jake Maki-Petaja & Dewald Lubbe
Tower Links Golf Club
Alistair Purves & Jeff Glasgow
Al Ghazal Golf Club
Rene Valencia & Ramesh Emmanuel
Al Badia Golf Club
Antony Su & Zhendong Tan
Jumeirah Golf Estates
Jonathan & Michelle Hall
Emirates Golf Federation
Alan Penford & Martin Hunt
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club
Alan & Josie Bushnell
Els Club
Manish Joshi & Satyamurthy Srinivasan
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club
Westley Burke & Mark Dupree
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Ishwar Jodha & Ashok Ahuja
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Larry Benson & Chris Moore
READ MORE:
- Benson plots his way back to UAE pairs final
- The Pairfect couple: Mark & Ingrid book place at UAE Pairs final
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
Related Content
