League to Dubai titles go North and South as event comes to an end

More than 700 golfers from across the UK entered the prestigious 2012 League to Dubai, but ultimately the titles ended up in the north and south of England, after an exciting grand final in Dubai. Chris Wall, from Middlesbrough, and Mark Green, from Stockton-on-Tees – who both play their golf at Middlesbrough GC – secured the pairs title, while Andy Clements, from Cranleigh, Surrey, the membership manager at West Sussex’s Cottesmore GC, was the proud winner of the individual competition, both of which were played out over three of Dubai’s top courses: the Wadi by Faldo Course at the Emirates Golf Club; Dubai Creek Golf Club; and the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Points were awarded according to daily placings.
The stunning, all-expenses-paid trip to the emirate – which included return flights and six nights’ half-board accommodation at a five-star hotel – was reward for their initial efforts in battling their way through their local league and a regional final during 2012.

Wall, an eight handicapper, and, Green, who plays off 11, scored 425 points to finish 20 clear of runners-up John Woodward (Manor House, Wiltshire) and Gary Prescott (The Kendleshire, Avon).
Wall explained: “We took the lead on day one at the Faldo and just hoped to hang on until the end. To get a chance to play these courses is a prize in itself so anything else we achieved was a bonus. We were trying our best and it has been a tournament played in great spirit with some good golf thrown in. I wish this event every success in the world.”
Green added: “We have played the best three courses we will ever play back-to-back: Faldo, Creek then the Earth … a very special experience. Dubai Creek was very special, but we also got to have a social night of golf at the Meydan course, which was the first time we have ever played floodlit golf.”
Clements, who plays off a handicap of nine, saw off his nearest rival, Richard Harris, from Cams Hall Estate, in Hampshire, by just 10 points.

He said: ““This was my first time in Dubai and it was fantastic to win such a great tournament. Dubai is well set up for golf and the service around the clubs is excellent.
 “I didn’t think rounds of 30, 31 and 28 would be enough to win but it shows you how tough the conditions are – it was also very windy and the courses were all new to us. I came for the experience mainly and just wanted to play steady golf. I played well off my handicap to get here and after this experience I’ll definitely be entering again. Overall it has been awesome.
“The format is also great – I’ve entered tournaments before, lost in the first round and that’s it. In this event, you can lose the first round and still have a chance. It has been a really smooth organisation and all about enjoying the experience. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did – we played some great courses and everyone played in the right spirit. I hope everyone enters again next year and well done to all the guys for getting to Dubai in the first place.”
The overall experience was summed up by Stuart Wilson, from West Kilbride, and a member at Ardeer GC. Despite finishing ninth of nine finalists in the individual event he said: “It didn’t matter if I won or not – you win by actually getting here. Anything else is just a bonus. I only knew a couple of the other guys from the regional final but we are all here for the same reason and enjoy being together.
“I’ve already entered the competition for next year – I like the format as it gives you a chance even if you lose a match. I’m the only member from my club to enter but there is definitely a lot more interest after I won a place at the grand final. My best chance of getting here was in the first year as I am sure the interest in now going to be very high. More players should enter as it’s a tournament that deserves to be a success and the experience of being here to play golf on these courses is second to none.”
Inspired by the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, the League to Dubai – which is sanctioned by the R&A – pits amateur golfers against each other initially in a local league format, between April and August, playing two home matches and two away. The league winners head to one of three regional finals from where the top three (top two in the pairs’ competition) qualify for the grand final in Dubai – all for just a one-off entry fee, which in 2013 will be just £35 per person.