Dynamic duo win back-to-back Daman Investments International Pairs UAE qualifiers at Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Emirates Golf Club
Gaurav Verma and Surjit Namli will clearly be one of the teams to beat in the Daman Investments International Pairs UAE golf final after qualifying in style – twice. The in-form Indian duo convincingly captured the third of 18 qualifying tournaments at their home Emirates Golf Club on October 31, just a week after capturing the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) qualifier at Jebel Ali Golf Resort.
After securing their place in next year’s final by winning the EGF qualifier on October 23 with a betterball stableford score of 37 points, Verma and Namli scorched around the Faldo Course at Emirates GC on Friday with 46 points. They won by four from Achal Ghai and Gurinder Jit Singh while Qamar Rasheed and Rajinder Razdan were third a further point adrift on 41 points.
Fortunately for Ghai and Singh, second place was good enough to advance to the Daman Investments International Pairs UAE final as Verma and Namli’s place at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club-decider – to be held on May 29, 2015 – was already assured.
The quartet will be joined in the 18-hole final at The Creek next May by Ian Haywood and Elizabeth Campbell who won the opening UAE qualifying tournament at Yas Links on October 18.
The Daman Investment International Pairs series gathers momentum with five qualifying tournaments scheduled throughout November, starting at Abu Dhabi’s premier sand course, Al Ghazal, on Friday, November 7.
This is followed by qualifiers at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Abu Dhabi City Golf Club on November 14 and 15 respectively before a combined Ras Al Khaimah tournament where winning pairs from Al Hamra GC and Tower Links GC will be found at an 18-hole qualifier scheduled for Al Hamra on November 29. Members interested in playing should contact their club directly for entry details.
The eventual winner of the Daman Investments International Pairs Final will represent the UAE at the 2015 International Pairs World Final at an overseas venue to be confirmed shortly. The Saadiyat Beach GC husband and wife team of Neil and Yvette Heywood recently returned from the 2014 International Pairs World Final at Mar Hall Estate in Scotland where they placed a creditable sixth.
