Strongest European Team yet for the NMT Battle of the Continents Grand Final
The European team is all set for the 4th NMT Battle of the Continents Grand Final on Saturday 23rd January 2016 after their recent qualifier at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.
With only 8 spots up for grabs to make the team there was a strong turnout in an attempt to qualify for a superb and competitive January date.
The Gross threesome of Paul Nightingale, Adam Smith and Barry Cotter all of SGSC Scratch League Team sealed their places with superb golf with Paul leading the charge with 32 gross points including a level par back nine. Adam and Barry followed suit, with rounds of 30 and 28 gross points respectively. The three players have a combined handicap of just 7 so any of the Continents looking at the results will see the strength Europe have again this year in the gross division.
The net division saw 5 players from the day’s golf seal their place on Mel Stewart’s Team for the Grand Final but Matthias Trinler of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club stole the show by claiming top spot with a winning margin of 7 points from his nearest team mate. The twenty one handicapper stormed through the front nine with one net eagle, three net birdies and four net pars to total 22 points. The back nine was just as smooth with Matthias adding a further four net birdies and two net pars to total his card up to 41 points. In joint second place saw new comers to the Team Andrew Thom (SGSC) and James Kelly (EGF) claim their spots with 34 points and will both get a taste of one of the most exciting amateur tournaments in the UAE. The youngest member of the Team and probably the whole event at eleven years old, Max Hibbert (SGSC), sealed his place for a second year in a row with 34 point also. Last member to make the Team was Robert Gayle of the EGF with 33 points edging out Men’s Club Captain William Neilson on better back nine.
This European Team is one of the strongest teams yet with both gross and net look well balanced to help them try to take the trophy off the only winners to date, Team Asia. Team Captain Mel Stewart was in high spirits after the 8 qualifiers were announced and he himself looking for a positive performance as he faces the other three Captains.
With three of the four continents having there qualifiers had coming up in the next two months the stage is nearly set for another epic NMT Battle of the Continents Grand Final on Saturday 23rd January. With live scoring also available via the SGSC Facebook page all members will have the opportunity to keep abreast of all the current standings in all of the matches, making the event all the more interactive.
