The Amateurs claim the 19th Dubai Golf Trophy
A Dubai Golf Trophy victory for Max Burrow and his team against the pros
Day 1 of the 19th Dubai Golf Trophy was played over the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club, 16 of the region’s best amateurs going head to head against the top 16 club professionals in a Ryder Cup style format. The Amateur Team started strong and quickly found themselves ahead leading in the first 3 matches. They were dominant throughout the morning, however, the Professional team captained by Ryan Smith showed great spirit to claw back 3 points. The morning foursomes finishing 5 points to 3 in favor of the Amateurs, led by captain Max Burrow.
In the afternoon, each player playing their own ball in the better ball format, the Professional team were led out by David Laing and Martin Robinson had started well to gain an early advantage. However, the Amateurs fought back on the back nine to repeat the score of the first round winning 5 points to 3. In the all Dubai Creek match, professionals Mike Major and Joe Way claimed the bragging rights as they edged out Max Burrow and Miki Mirza. Young talents Arjun Gupta and Josh Hill took their match all the way to eventually share a point against Luke Plumb and Mike Bolt.
Max Burrow and his team enjoy an overnight advantage of 10-6 going into the final round played at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Sunday 22th May 2016:
Having started the second day at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club four points, the Professionals were on course for a fine fight back during the initial period of the singles on Sunday with the first three games all going in their favour. Dubai Creek Professionals Joe Way and Michael Major came out strong against Craig Vance and Nathan Fisher beating them both 2&1 respectively. This meant the Creek duo went unbeaten over the two days. The winning theme continued as Stefan Wears-Taylor beat young Toby Bishop 3&2. The next two games however went the Amateurs way, with Bradley Mogire beating Jordan Gallacher 6&5 and Amateur Captain Max Burrow beating David Gray 5&4 making the score line after the first 5 games 12-9 to the Amateurs.
The next three games followed a bitter theme for the Professional side as Luke Plumb, Tom Buchanan and Shane Peacock all losing on the 18th hole to Steven Kelbrick, Miki Mirza and Josh Hill respectively to halve their matches. This gave the Amateur side 1.5 points desperately needed by the Professionals. Despite Mikael Gartner winning 4&3 over Andrew Smolak the tie was going to the way of the Amateurs as the next three games sealed the victory for the Amateur’s. Rayhan Thomas beat Jack Woods 5&4, Mike Mezei beat Ryan Smith 7&6 and Bayhaan Lakdalawa beat Malcom Young 8&7 to take the score to 16.5-11.5. Although the tie had been concluded, the next found games were played out with all of the teams watching and supporting the remaining matches. Martin Robinson beat Robert Glenesk 2&1 and a fine birdie up 18 from Mike Boult meant he halved his match against Ahmad Skaik. After Lawry Cook beat Jonathon Craddock 2&1 and young Arjun Gupta beat David Laing 5&4 the 2018 Dubai Golf Trophy was finished with the score line being 19-13 favouring the Amateurs.
After play concluded, the Captain of the Amateur side Max Burrow stated, “A very close finished to a fantastic two days of high quality golf playing in great spirit and camaraderie. Commiserations to Ryan Smiths’ Professional Team, our amateur team had great strength in depth this year with a burning desire to complete 3-in-a-row for what is surely now a dynasty for the Amateurs in this competition. I would like to sincerely thank my team for their commitment and passion this season and to all the team at Dubai Creek for hosting another stellar golfing event and bringing the best players in the UAE together once again.”
Ryan Smith the Captain of the Professional’s said, “It’s been a great honour to captain the professional team for this year’s Dubai Golf Trophy. It has been a great event and a wonderful two days, congratulations to Max and the Amateur team for a great performance. They were the better team over the two days and deserved winners. The Amateur game is in great shape with a lot of young talent coming out and its testament to the professionals in the work they do to guide the amateurs. I look forward to next year and the 20th staging of the Dubai Golf Trophy.
An inspiring performance from the Amateurs, where all 16 players in the team contributed at least one point, ensured a 19-13 victory. The Professionals will be practicing hard for next year’s event, as the Dubai Golf Trophy continues to conclude the seasons of the UAE’s best Amateurs and Professionals in the most enthralling way.
