Groves in the Groove during the Stableford Masters at Al Badia Golf Club

A number of Al Badia Golf Club members celebrated the spirit of the annually held US Masters. Following an individual stableford format with an interesting twist in scoring, the members were paired with the professionals playing in the US Masters.

The event saw Mike Groves with his Masters pick Martin Laird grasped the overall winner title for the second time this month, carding 43 points. Mike had 40 points on his own with a gross eagle on the 18th Hole for 5 points, while his Masters pick Martin Laird shot a 69 (3 under) to earn him extra 3 points and win by 7 points!

Division A went down to a count back between Kieran O’Connor paired with Bill Hass and Chet Riley matched with Tiger Woods. Kieran and Bill Hass were the eventual division A winners with Kieran having a great back nine of 23 points. Both Kieran and Chet’s Masters picks could only shoot 74 (2 over) on the third round at Augusta, costing the pair 2 valuable points.

Division B was also decided on count back between Christian Koch and Ryo Ishikawa and Robert David and Matt Kuchar. Christian had a good score of 37 points with a fantastic 20 points on the back nine. His Masters pick had a 73 (1 over) to give him 36points. Robert David had a solid 33 points enhanced with Matt Kuchar’s  69 (3 under) giving him a total 36 points and the runner up place in Division B.

Photo: (L) Mike Groves and (R) Academy Professional and UAE Golf Online Columnist Joanne Bates

The place getters of the main event also took the honors in special on course events.  The nearest the pin prize went to Chet Riley on the 7th Hole. While Kieran O’Connor, with a monster of a drive down the 10th Hole earn him the longest drive in the competition.