Johanssons triumph over large field at the Address Montgomerie
The Montgomerie Dubai produced the largest field in International Pairs UAE history as 84 players took to the course on Saturday 14th January. The 2011-12 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac qualifying schedule is at the halfway stage with members at every UAE club getting the opportunity to play for a coveted place in the National Final and the chance to win a luxury trip to Scotland to compete in the International Pairs World Final.
Just a week after Manilyn Buxmann, playing alongside her husband Johan at Tower Links Golf Club, became the first lady to win a place in the June National Final, a husband-wife pairing was once again at the top of the leaderboard as Swedes, Tom and Pia Johansson left the field in their wake. Returning a staggering better-ball score of 46 stableford points, the Johanssons got their round of to a near-perfect start when they fired four net birdies in their opening five holes. This led to a better than average front-9 of 22 points but proved to be just a warm-up for the inward nine where they made seven net birdies and 24 points!
The Johanssons’ three point victory margin was easily the largest of the series so far and this formidable pairing will go into the June Final as one of the favourites. A run of six birdies to complete their round would ordinarily have given Alex Kuk and Valeriy Zabrodin the belief that their 43 points would secure a win but it wasn’t to be and they had to settle for the runners-up prize. Four pairs finished on 40 points but it was the duo of Rob Moody and James Amos who prevailed in the scorecard countback for third place.
Rob Moody also collected the Nearest-the-Pin prize on hole 8 while Annie Brown’s superb effort on the signature 13th hole secured the honours there.
The Montgomerie Dubai International Pairs UAE Qualifier was the 8th in the 2011-12 series. Tom and Pia Johansson join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Els Club, Yas Links, Emirates Golf Club, Al Hamra Golf Club and Tower Links Golf Club who have already secured berths in the National Final. The next Qualifier will be played at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi on Friday 27th January.
Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac is also supported by Diamond Developers, Acuma Wealth Management, Cansco, Rivoli Group, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, City & Welcare Hospitals, Royal Caribbean International, Nike Golf, 7Days, Worldwide Golf and UAE Golf Online.
Photo: International Pairs UAE Montgomerie Dubai Qualifier winners, Tom and Pia Johansson, pictured with Club Captains, Paul Pitman and Anne Allan.
