Angela Scurr wins 27th NBAD Abu Dhabi Ladies Open Golf Championship at Al Ghazal

The Al Ghazal Golf Club [AGGC], Abu Dhabi was host to the 27th NBAD Abu Dhabi Ladies Open Golf Championship at the weekend

Past winner of the coveted NBAD Dhow trophy, Angela Scurr played some of her best golf for many years and proved that age does not count to win by 2 and 4 shots from up and coming Lindsay Brown of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club [gross – 76 & 72 = 148] and Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s 14 year old star Sana Tufail [gross – 74 & 76 = 150] respectively on a total of 146.  Scurr’s first round gross 73 was one of her best rounds in many a year, “It’s all down to a video lesson I had with our Head Club Professional Mark Ireland last Thursday”, Scurr said.  “I knew something was wrong as I have not played to my potential long time, I needed a second opinion and within 10 minutes on our new video system Mark had sorted out the problems, so I really owe my win to Mark and the new system!”

After the first round Scurr lead by one shot from Sana on 74 and 3 shots from Lindsay on 76; the second round saw a nervous start for both Sana and Lindsay when they both put their tee shots in the rough on the first hole and gave Scurr a further cushion, Scurr continued to play impressive golf and after 27 holes had scored a 1 under par 35 against Sana and Lindsay’s 39’s.  Defending Champion Nasha Sarkari was lying 4th after a 39 on the front 9, but was unable to keep up with the last group’s impressive scoring.  Scurr began to feel the pressure on the last 9 holes as Lindsay began her charge.  By the 32nd hole Scurr was only two shots ahead of Lindsay, but a lucky long birdie putt on 15 kept Scurr’s hope alive; Lindsay then countered on the par 3, 16th with a superb tee shot and consequent birdie.  Scurr however held her head and managed to hold on by paring 17 and 18 to take her 8th NBAD Abu Dhabi Ladies Golf Championship title.  “This event is something special to me, my first win was in 1986 when my Mother Joy and I played all those years ago, sadly Mum is no longer with us, so I dedicate it to her memory and of course to Mark’s teaching!”.

Defending Champion Nasha Sarkari took fourth gross on 156 and Sandy Meyer fifth on 158.  Best first day gross went to EGF’s Sandra Grenet with an 83 and best second day was won by AGGC’s Anina Bester on 81.

The Nett division was won by AGGC’s Deborah Castle on 139, scoring 67 and 72 respectively.  Runner up on 145 was Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club’s Claire Warburton closely followed by AGGC’s Lizette Breytenbach on 146.  Best first day nett of 74 was won by ADGC’s Eida Al Muhairbi and second day by Alison Stedman on 75.

The subsidiary Stableford competition for 27 – 36 handicappers, was won with an impressive 83 points [43 and 40 points] by Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club’s Yvonne Bolton, from runner-up Bobo Bradley [AGGC], on 79 points on countback from third placed  Heba Wei [AGGC] with Mandy Gray [SWGC] coming in fourth on 69.  The most improved gross score differential was won by Evelyn Wrigley, who improved on her first days score by 10 shots!  Both Nearest the Pins and Longest Drives over two days were won by Lindsay Brown on Friday and Sandy Meyer on Saturday.

In closing the prize presentation Lady Captain Pauline Jeynes thanked National Bank of Abu Dhabi and representative May Ibrahim Bumjaid for once again supporting the Al Ghazal Golf Club and ladies golf and for especially confirming next year’s sponsorship.