Munro claims The 40th Men’s Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship at Al Ghazal Golf Club
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), The Number One Bank in the UAE and one of the top 50 safest banks in the World, has once again presided over a very successful championship at Al Ghazal Golf Club (AGGC).
The 40th Men’s Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship, which was held over last weekend [8th and 9th March 2013], came down to an exciting finale.
This Emirates Golf Federation Amateurs ‘Order of Merit’ event celebrated 40 years of the Men’s Open Sand Golf in the Capitol with a spectacular play off between professionals Steven Munro [U.A.E. PGA] and Simon Dunn [AL HAMRA G.C.]. The AGGC standard format for such an eventuality was a sudden death play-off over holes 10 and 18, to be played until an eventual outcome.
Munro who’s first round score of 78 had him in third place behind AGGC’s Mark Ireland 77 and leader Al Hamra’s Simon Dunn 75. Munro had a lot of work to do over the last round just to pick up 3 shots if he was to see anything of the trophy and the Pros top prize of Dhs. 6,000.-. After 9 holes Munro had picked up two shots with a one under 34 against Dunn’s 36, and a final birdie 3 on the 10th par 4 levelled with a struggling Dunn who began to falter over the back 9 dropping shots at 11, 13, 14 and 15. Munro steadily pared in on the back 9 taking the lead on the 15th hole and looked ready to take the trophy but Dunn was not finished as he birdied 17 to Munro’s par both players were level and with pars on the 36th hole a play off was declared.
Captain Rupert Evans presided over the play-off with a good gallery following the pair. Munro hooked his drive while Dunn hit a sweet shot up the middle of the fairway; at this point all bets were on Dunn. Munro found his shot in the rough and his recovery shot made the back of the brown and put him 20 feet from the hole, Dunn off the fairway could only get his shot to 18 feet from the hole. It looked like there was going to be a second play-off hole, but the 20 foot putt from Munro rolled down the bank from an angle and went straight into the hole, leaving Dunn with his 18 foot putt to equal Munro’s miraculous birdie! Dunn didn’t hold back and went for the putt but it lipped out and it was all over with Munro becoming the 40th NBAD Champion.
The Amateur Gross Division was won by AGGC’s own Rob Jennings on 152 a clear two shots ahead of past AGGC member Jonathan Jeffrey on 154, from past winner Alex Charawani [ADGC] on 156 from fourth placed Rehan Thomas on 157 and John Fellingham on 159 both from Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club DCGYC. Best first day gross was won by Paul King with a 78 also from DCGYC and best second day by Bilal Belaid from ADGC four shots better than last year with a 77.
Overall Best Net on 150 from ADGC went to Faris Al Azzawi; second and third place went to AGGC’s Kevin Darroch and Bernie Blanchard both on 151 respectively with Darroch having a better score on the back 9. Best first day and second net both on 74 went to Riad Majali [Bsharat Golf Club, Amman – Jordan], and AGGC’s Vernon Whaanga respectively.
Presenting the trophies on behalf of National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s Group Chief Executive Mr. Michael Tomalin was Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi [Senior Manager – Social Affairs CCD].
At the presentation newly crowned Champion Steven Munro thanked Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi of title sponsors National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Al Ghazal Golf Club for a most enjoyable and well run event and hoped to be able to defend his title next year when it.
In closing Captain Rupert Evans thanked National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the number one bank for their continued support. He also thanked the invited AGGC’s Past President David Winning, Past Captains Peter McManus and Juma Mussa for coming to the event and finally to the competitors both past and present without whom there would be no event.
Photograph attached of 1] Abdullah Al Shamsi [NBAD] & Champion Steve Munro & Captain Rupert
