Craig Forrest emerges form the woods to take the Sheikh Rashid Trophy

30 players teed off at Jebel Ali golf resort for the final round of Shk. Rashid Trophy. With just one shot separating the two top players the day was set for an exciting round of golf. The day’s golf proved to be very tough although the weather conditions were fairly calm for the front 9. With the wind conditions getting stronger and tensions of the players rising, the leaders dropped some crucial shots in the back 9.

With the Jebel Ali golf resort course was in great condition, Louis Campbell and Craig Forrest showed tremendous resolve in increasingly tougher conditions. Campbell who had fallen 2 shots behind after the 9th hole, came back strongly to force a playoff with Craig Forrest. The 2 players went down the 18th hole and were still tied after two attempts. The players then went on to the 17th and finally the 18th again where Craig Forrest got up and down from the bunker to birdie the hole and win the tournament.

Ryan Riley who got off to a great start in round 1, faltered a bit in round 2 but pulled his game together again to card 75 and finish in third place. Sidney De Souza who fell back in round 3 after 2 solid opening rounds had to be content with a fourth place finish. Nicola Angelastri playing in his first Shk Rashid Trophy ended the three days in fifth place.

Chief Operating Officer of JA resorts and hotels David Thomson together with Salah Saleh, the Chairman of JA resorts and hotels, the main sponsors of the Shk. Rashid Trophy, handed out the trophies to winners. Mr. Thomson thanked the support sponsors, Gulf News and Ernst & Young for their contribution to the success of the tournament.

Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary General of Emirates Golf Federation, “We would like to thank all the players for supporting and participating in this flagship event in the region. The clubs involved provided fantastic venues and their assistance is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank especially James Williams and his team at Jebel Ali Golf Resort for a memorable finale to the tournament.”

Final results
Champion – Craig Forrest (JGE) 227 – won on the 4th play off
Runner up – Louis Campbell (UK) 227
Third – Ryan Riley (EGF) 229
Fourth – Sidney De Souza (EGF) 231
Fifth – Nicola Angelastri (EGC) 234

Caption – 2012 Champion Craig Forrest receives the Shk. Rashid Trophy from Salah Saleh & David Thomson from JA resorts and hotels