Benson and Heyns Claim Last National Final Berth at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club
The last Qualifying event in the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Series Presented by Cadillac was held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on Friday 6th May, with Larry Benson and Andre Heyns claiming the last available berth in the inaugural National Final, which will take place at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club later this month. A full field of AESGC members took to the course in perfect scoring conditions and Benson & Heyns took full advantage. A steady start gave way to some astonishing scoring as they fired no fewer than seven net birdies in a 9-hole stretch from the 4th before closing out with eagles on the 16th and 18th holes to score 47 stableford points and dominate the podium. Benson has been in stunning form this season in Al Ain, contending in almost every event he has played so this victory did not surprise anyone, but Heyns came in when needed and his contribution was invaluable. The lower handicapper of the pairing might prove more vital over the longer Creek course when they tee it up in the Final.
For the third time in 16 events, a father-daughter combination finished in the runners-up position as William and Lindsay Brown came home with an excellent 45 point total following the second place finishes achieved by Gerry & Katy Rutherford at Emirates Golf Club and Joe & Zenia Wivou at Tower Links. Lindsay, who recently clinched the Emirates Golf Federation Ladies Order of Merit title for 2010-11, combined brilliantly with her father and would have progressed to the National Final with the distinction of being the lowest handicapper in that field but for the two point deficit. With four teams finishing on 45 points, another countback was required to determine 3rd place, which went to Dave Mitchell and Lyndel Christensen who were left to rue a no-return on the par-5 3rd hole that might have secured victory but wasn’t to be.
Nearest-the-Pin prizes were awarded to William Brown and Robert Anderson for their superb shots on holes 7 and 17 respectively.
This was the 16th and final Qualifying event in the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac. Larry Benson and Andre Heyns join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Montgomerie Dubai, Al Ghazal Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, The Els Club, Emirates Golf Club, Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club, Yas Links, Al Hamra Golf Cub, Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, Tower Links Golf Club, Emirates Golf Federation and Dubai Creek whose names are already in the National Final draw. International Pairs UAE is sponsored by Tech Access, Cadillac, Diamond Developers, Emirates Healthcare Ltd. and partnered by Park Hyatt Dubai, Delwood, Nike Golf, Sport 360, Worldwide Golf and UAE Golf Online.
Photo: Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club Tech Access International Pairs UAE winners, Larry Benson and Andre Heyns pictured with Club Captain Nick Peacock.
