Classy Kelshaw wins Club Championship at Al Badia Golf Club
Al Badia Golf Club held the fourth annual club championship last weekend where a strong field came together to compete for the prestigious title of ‘Club Champion’ in the two day event.
The green keepers had worked around the clock during the week, getting the course in immaculate condition for the pinnacle members-only event of the year. The course was set up to give all the players a stern test as men were playing from the black tees measuring the course at 7,303 yards, while ladies were playing off the white tees at 6,200 yards.
The Club Championship is played in a stroke play format over two days with the lowest combined gross score being crowned the champion. The defending champion, Brett Armstrong, returned after round one with a score of 76 after playing some very solid golf. His playing partner for the day, Steve Kelshaw, also scored 76 meaning the two players were tied at the top of the leader board going into round two, seven shots ahead of third placed Tony Billingham.
The Ladies Club Championship kicked off with Lynn Cimino scoring a very impressive 97 to take the clubhouse lead after day one. Lynn’s great start set her up 11 shots ahead of the competition with Sharon Moore’s 108 being the next best score. With the pin flags changing to the hardest possible position for the final round, Lynn knew there was still a lot of work to be done to become the eventual winner. Although Sharon put up a strong fight, Lynn was able to clinch the title and become the 2012 Ladies Club Champion after scoring 108 for her final round in the soaring heat and tough setup of the course.
The final group teed off on Saturday with Tony Billingham still in the race for the title with Brett Armstrong and Steve Kelshaw. Unfortunately Billingham fell further back on the tough par five fifth as a triple bogey all but confirmed it had become a ‘two horse race’ for the championship. At the turn both Armstrong and Kelshaw could still not be separated, both shooting 44 for their front nine holes. The competition then reached fever pitch with the tournament now having a Match play feel to it and both players beginning to play some spectacular golf. Kelshaw played the five holes between 8-12 in one under par to give him a one shot lead over Armstrong going onto the 13th hole.
The momentum soon swung back into Armstrong’s favour though as he stood with the honor on the 16th tee, a shot to the good. Catastrophe then stuck as his tee shot on the tricky par four 16th found the water and as his concentration faltered he went on to three putt and score an eight. Kelshaw took full advantage and went on to par the 16th and 17th and find himself with a four foot par putt on the 18th for the Championship. A crowd gathered around the green to congratulate, Steve Kelshaw, the new Al Badia Golf Club – Club Champion as he holed his putt.
Picture: Club Champion: Steve Kelshaw with Al Badia Golf Club team .
