Invitational Scratch League Emirates Golf Club progress to semis

Three times defending league champions Emirates Golf Club beat The Address Montgomerie, Dubai by 4 – 0 away from home in League A and Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club beat the Els Club 3 – 1 again away from home in League D of the 2010 – 2011 Invitational Scratch Golf League played over the weekend.

The league began back in November 2010 with this season 12 UAE Golf Club Teams participating in 4 separate leagues competing with 4 matches per team in a round robin format – one at home and one away against the other two teams with the winners of each league progressing to the Semi-Finals played at neutral venues and then the respective winners progressing to the Invitational Scratch League Final Match. Each team consists of 8 players a side playing in a fourball scratch matchplay format.

These results mean that 3 of the 4 leagues are now decided; Emirates Golf Club (League A), Arabian Ranches Golf Club (League B), Al Badia Golf Club (League C). In League D the title is between Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club. This coincidently is the one outstanding match in the first round of matches when Al Ain play host to Dubai Creek on Saturday 19th March. With Al Ain now on 9 ½ points after 3 matches and 6 behind Dubai Creek a home victory by 4 – 0 (6 points) will result in a tie for League D which will be decided by a sudden death play-off on the day between 1 nominated pair from each club. 

Bob Driver, Invitational Scratch League Co-ordinator said at conclusion of Match Day 17, ‘Once again the Invitational Scratch League has produced some exciting golf. Congratulations must go to all the Divisional champion teams and we thank all clubs and players for their participation. We look forward to next week’s deciding match from League D and then to the Semi-Finals and Final match in the coming weeks.’

TMD 0 (0 points) lost to EGC 4 (6 points) (TMD names first) – Played at TMD.
M. Lambert & K. Dinucci lost to D. Cole & C. Stricklin 4 & 3.
M. Gray & G. Henderson lost to T. Varri & R. J. Thompson 2 holes.
S. Steyn & S. Constance lost to R. Gupta and K. Achtari 4 & 3.
J. Brash & P. Pitman lost to D. Hendry & R. Hopwood 4 & 3.
The Els Club 1 (1 point) lost to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club 3 (5 pints) (The Els Club names first) Played at The Els Club.
P. Moir & D. Cheesley beat J. Muirhead and A. Purves 5 & 3.
J. Sim & A. Maclean lost to S. Sandford and L. Chalmers 6 & 5.
S. Bradbrook & M. Badgett lost to R. Noble and E. Cunniffe 6 & 5.
D. Lander & D. Fear lost to L. Cassiere and T. Cotgrave 7 & 6.