Birdie birdie Finish seals Qualifier Victory for Chopra and Sfeila at Emirates Golf Club Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac
A classy birdie-birdie finish saw the steady pairing of Jatinder Chopra and Rabih Sfeila claim a narrow victory in the latest Tech Access International Pairs UAE Qualifier. A full field of Emirates Golf Club members took to the Majlis, home of the Dubai Desert Classic, all with the aim of securing a berth in the inaugural International Pairs UAE National Final in May. Competition was always going to tough but in the end, Chopra and Sfeila’s better-ball score of 43 stableford points gave them a one point edge over the father and daughter pairing of Gerry & Katy Rutherford.
Chopra and Sfeila opened their account with two net birdies and completed their round in exactly the same fashion on the 18th and 1st holes of the world-famous layout, which was in perfect condition. Both players contributed to a winning score that featured no fewer than ten net birdies, more than compensating for the occasional bogey. Chopra and Sfeila will represent the UAE’s most famous club at the National Final, alongside players from every club in the UAE when the champions will win an all-expenses luxury trip to Scotland for the International Pairs World Final.
An attractive round of 77 from junior member Katy Rutherford, whose handicap of 7, is sure to tumble, ensured a combined score of 42 points with her father, Gerry, who came through at some vital stages but it was Katy’s golf that attracted the most attention despite their score ultimately coming up a point short. Patrick Morrow and Adam Sweeney also scored 42 points thanks mainly to a stunning front-9 of 24 points that featured four net birdies and a net eagle on their closing hole but in the end it was their back-9 that cost them the runners-up slot as they lost out on a countback.
Long-time members and local legends, Peter Jamieson and Ramesh Prabhakar secured Nearest-the-Pin prizes on the 7th and 11th holes respectively, both safely making their birdies as well.
This was the eighth Qualifying event in the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac. Chopra and Sfeila 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 and The Els Club whose names are already in the National Final draw. The next Qualifying event on 25th March sees a second visit for International Pairs UAE to a sand course when members of Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club will have the opportunity to be involved in the only Club Members’ international event in the UAE. 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: Emirates Golf Club Winners – Jatinder Chopra and Rabih Sfeila, pictured with Lady Captain, Jenny Ayres and Vice-Captain, Mike Sim.
