Pretorius and Thompson too Solid in Els Club International Pairs UAE Qualifier
Gerhardt Pretorius & Mark Thompson squeezed into the National Final of the 2011-12 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac thanks to a solid round on the Sports City layout.
Perhaps taking inspiration from their compatriot, Ernie Els who designed the course, Pretorius & Thompson scored two nines of 20 stableford points in the better-ball format for a 40-point total that secured victory by a single point. The single-figure pairing was always going to be dangerous and playing alongside last year’s Els Club winners, George Gourlay & Kevin Black, they were aware of what was at stake and what it takes to reach the National Final. Six net birdies were the key as Pretorius & Thompson dove-tailed well all day.
Unlucky to finish out of the prizes were the team of Faruk Roked & Abizer Mohamed. Playing early in the field, Faruk & Abizer set a tough clubhouse target of 39 points, which was then matched by Paul Hawkins & Stephen Cleary. Faruk & Abizer’s 22-point back-9 was the best of the day but unfortunately a less than average outward nine left them in the runners-up position. Hawkins & Cleary also came alive on the inward nine and would have won the event but for a missed opportunity on hole 17 where Hawkins secured the nearest-the-pin prize but didn’t manage to convert the birdie putt. Nearest-the-pin winner on hole 4 was Susan Riley.
Pretorius & Thompson join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Abu Dhabi City Golf Club who have already qualified for the National Final. The next Qualifying event of the 2011-12 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac, will take place on Friday 25th November while members of Emirates Golf Club will have their chance on Saturday 26th November.
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 Els Club Qualifier winners, Gerhardt Pretorius & Mark Thompson, pictured with General Manager, Chris Brown.
