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UAE golf round-up: Saunders solid in winning EGT title

UAE golf round-up: Saunders solid in winning EGT title

With names like European Tour stars Peter Hanson and Michael Hoey as past winners on the trophy, the Omega Emirates Amateur Open is one of the highlights of the season at Emirates Golf Club (EGC).

This year was no different as the tournament once again attracted a large number of participants, particularly from overseas.

One of them, Michael Saunders, representing Dartford Golf Club (England), was crowned the new champion, winning comfortably in the end by a margin of four shots. Saunders shared the overnight lead with Ashley Rees (East Sussex National) after both fired gross rounds of 74 over the Faldo course.

Their closest rivals going into the final round over the Majlis course were Bal Arnaud (Rinkven Golf Club, Belguim), Sami Hajri (Yas Links GC) and Ryan Riley (Emirates Golf Federation) on 75 .

Saunders handled the pressure of the final round well, starting with nine straight pars on the more difficult front nine of the Desert Classic layout. He started the inward half well with a birdie on the par five 10th, before dropping shots on the difficult 12th and 16th holes.

However, his challengers faded away leaving him with a healthy lead going in to the final two holes and he finished in style with a terrific birdie on the famous par-5 18th to claim the prestigious title. Rounds of 74 and 74 gave him a total of 148.

Sam Towler, representing Woburn Golf Club, followed his opening 78 with a much-improved 74 to claim the runner-up position on eight-over 152. Twelve-year old Jakub Hrinda of Doha Golf Club produced the best round of the championship with a level-par 72 over the Majlis course to claim third place overall on 154.

With five competitors on that score, a final-round countback resulted in Chris Adams (Montgomerie GC) clinching fourth with rounds of 79 & 75 and Craig Forrest (EGF) taking fifth with a 79 and 75. EGC member Ewan Cameron just missed out on the top five.

The best net prize of the championship went to Bal Arnaud (Royal GC Bahrain) after he signed for rounds of 72 and 76. Two shots adrift and in runners-up position was Mark Davin (Ashton On Mersey GC) with a 77 and 73.

Bilel Belaid (Abu Dhabi) took third with a 75 and 76. Omega continued their sponsorship of the Emirates Men’s Amateur Open and Vice-President and International Sales Director, Raynald Aeschlimann said: “As one of the most highly anticipated golf events of the year that attracts the top amateur players from across the world, we are delighted to have been associated with this tournament at Emirates Golf Club.”

Close affair at Al Futtaim Trophy in Al Badia

A full-field of foursomes took to the course in Al Badia’s third annual Al Futtaim Trophy where the teams were playing the fun-filled Texas Scramble event. It was a neck-and-neck finish, and just a narrow 0.6 points separated the winners and runners-up.

Father and son duo, John and Liam Wartig, along with husband and wife team-mates Mark and Zoe Rix combined their skills to secure the win with a stellar net 59.8. Finishing strong with an impressive eagle on the 18th, Al Badia member teammates Laura Newman, James Doyle, Nick Groves and Yulia Savina took the runners up position with a net 60.4.

Taking honours in the bronze position with a net 61 were Mathew Chen, Stuart Mills, Alan Burke and George Fitchet.

Team spirit to the fore at Kohlman Nations Cup

The Kohlman Nations Cup, one of the most popular team events in the UAE, gets under way at Emirates Golf Club on Friday, March 1. Billed as one of the ‘Majors’ on the domestic circuit, the annual tournament will see a full field battle it out for honours in a four-man team stableford competition at the Majlis course.

Chief organiser Moshe Kohli who is also the Emirates Golf Club captain, said: “We are making every possible effort to make the event more interesting and appealing for golfers befitting its ‘Major’ sobriquet.

“With over 150 prizes up for grabs and many beverages stands on different tees, I am sure the players won’t be short on motivation to showcase their skills,” he added.

Young Joshua Hill wins Par 3 Series event at Creek

The fifth event of the Dubai Golf Par 3 Series took place on the Dubai Creek academy course. Over 60 competitors turned out to take part, and it was the eight-year-old Joshua Hill who managed to pip both Dhruv Nair and Kabir Nanda on the best last three holes to win the overall masters’ event.

All three players shot the same score of 27 in the blustery conditions. The Gold division was won by Eshna Bhargava with a score of 29, one ahead of Mekayl Maajid.

Abbi Sunil won his first ever event in the silver category with a great score of 34 after a countback over last three holes against Ailsa Brannock. The next tournament in the series will take place at Emirates Golf Club on April 18.

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