Sebastian Heisele from Dillingen Golf Club wins NBAD Mens Abu Dhabi Open 2012 Golf Championship at Al Ghazal Golf Club
The NBAD 39th Abu Dhabi Men’s Open Golf Championship final round on Saturday 10th March at the Al Ghazal Golf Club (AGGC), got off the a relatively calm start.
However that was all to change with a 20 knot wind coming off the sea began to take its toll, it was all down to patience and experience coping with the blustery winds. The event is part of the Emirates Golf Federation Order of Merit for the 2011/12 season.
Professional Sebastian Heisele from Dillingen Golf Club kept his nerve and his low trajectory play prevailed against the strong blustery winds. His total gross score of 152 was enough to become the 39th NBAD Men’s Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship at the Al Ghazal Golf Club. Second and one shot behind was AGGC’s Professional Mark Ireland. Joint Third place in the Pro’s section went to Simon Payne and David Gray on 156.
The Amateur Gross Division was won by the current EGF Order of Merit leader Michael Harradine on 153 with AGGC’s Riad Majali taking second place on count back from Dino Varkey on 160. Fourth Gross on 161 went to Sidney D’Souza [EGF] and 5th Gross to annual supported of this event John Fellingham [DCGYC] on count back from Calum Mills on 163. Best first day gross was won by S.J. Hwang with a 75 and second day by Bilal Belaid with an 81, both from Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Leading after the first round in Nett Division was AGGC’s Colum Boyce on 71, with closest rivals being one and two shots behind Sidney D’Souza [EGF] and Jan P. Friedmann [AGGC] respectively. However, the wheels literally blew off for all three players giving Kiwi Stan Nikau the opportunity to take the overall Best Nett of 153 from second and third placed Ramesh Emmanuel and fellow Kiwi Vernon Whaanga on 154 respectively all from Al Ghazal. Best first day nett went to Colum Boyce [AGGC] and best second day to Robert Smith [ADGC] on 78.
One final moment of the day was a wind assisted Hole in One by Trevor Varri on the 3rd hole, his impressive wedge shot to the brown put him very close to the pin! Trevor who is R&A Rules qualified knew the exact Rules Decision, but requested the Referee to reconfirm it as he had to take himself out of the decision process. The decision 20-3d/1 was confirmed and Varri was an hour later ringing the bell for as far as recent records show was arguably the first hole in one in the history of the men’s open and one never to be forgotten!
Presenting the trophies on behalf of National Bank of Abu Dhabi was Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi [Senior Manager – Social Affairs CCD]. In closing newly crowned Champion Sebastian thanked Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi of title sponsors National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Al Ghazal Golf Club for a most enjoyable event and hoped to be able to defend his title next year when it will be the 40th Anniversary of the event in Abu Dhabi.
++++ Photograph attached of Champion Sebastian Heisele with Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi from NBAD. Also attached is a photograph of the three trophy winners Harradine, Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi, Heisele and Nikau and one of all the trophy winners plus hole in one winner Trevor Varri.
