Mixed Season Opener took place at the Emirates Golf Club welcoming the new Captains
The Mixed Season Opener took place yesterday with the Emirates Golf Club membership welcoming new captains Mike Sim and Caroline Jones officially into office. The day started with the annual drive-ins from the first tee of the Majlis course.
Over 108 competitors and staff witnessed Captain Sim hit his tee shot 206 yards and Lady Captain Caroline Jones was more satisfied with her attempt of 187 yards. Fran Cole guessed accurately on Mike’s yardage to claim a prize and Christine Sargent did likewise for Caroline’s drive.
The chosen format was ‘Par is your friend’, teams of four played their own ball in a strokeplay format, with all 4 scores counting on each hole. However to aid pace of play for the 27 team strong field the tournament condition meant competitors could not have a worse score than net par.
The format, used in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am, was introduced for the first time and resulted in competitors unsure of what a good score would be. It turned out that 26-under par was the mark with 3 teams grouped on the same score. A back nine count back crowned the team of Paul Byrne, Maura Duggan, Frank Duggan and Rory McDonald winners as a result of being 15 under on the back nine. In runners up place, 12-under on the back nine, was the quartet of Alan Salem, Soumaya Argui, Jatinder Chopra and Rabih Sfeila. On 10-under for the inward half and in third place were Dick Purchase, Chris Purchase, Surender Kandhari and Jasjeev Kandhari.
Nina Larm won both nearest the pins for the ladies on the 7th and 11th holes. Jatinder Chopra and Johnny Aldridge won the nearest the pins on the 4th and 15th respectively.
