The 3rd International Pairs UAE National Final to take place at Yas Links on Friday 7th June
One of the finest courses in the world will host the Final for the second consecutive year and 16 pairs from around the UAE are gearing up for what will undoubtedly be a hotly contested event.
16 clubs have played Qualifiers, open exclusively to their members, over the season with one pair winning through to the National Final. The winners of this proceed to the International Pairs World Final in Scotland where they will compete with teams from over 30 countries. All UAE National Finalists will be accommodated in luxury at the award-winning Yas Viceroy Hotel, which will also host the Awards Gala Dinner that evening.
With only 15 pairs to beat, all teams will fancy their chances of victory and it is difficult to pick a clear favourite. Last year, juniors featured in the top-two pairings but with none in the field this year and five mixed teams in the draw, perhaps Year 3 will see the first lady go on to represent the UAE. Of these, Elizabeth Campbell will play on her home course alongside Bill Lisgo but the ever-dangerous Alan & Soumaya Salem from Emirates Golf Club will be keen to add yet another big win to their tally. Jonathan & Michelle Hall (Jumeirah Golf Estates) received a late invitation when the pair qualified, withdrew and on the tricky links, their single figure handicaps will stand them in good stead.
Two Qualifiers were played within two months of the National Final so if current form is to be used as a yardstick, Ishwar Jodha & Ashok Ahuja (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club) may start amongst the favourites along with Larry Benson & Chris Moore (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club). Benson is playing in his second International Pairs UAE Final but if this stands him in good stead, it would be prudent to expect big things from Rene Valencia & Ramesh Emmanuel of Al Ghazal Golf Club who make their second consecutive appearance.
Yas Links has a reputation for being a tough course, requiring patience as well as perseverance and pairs with youth and solid handicaps in their favour will probably contend. Jake Maki-Petaja and Dewald Lubbe from Al Hamra Golf Club, who qualified late when their Qualifier winners became unavailable, boast the lowest combined handicaps in the field (2.1 & 1.9) although current Montgomerie Dubai Club Champion, Charlie Simpson, is the lowest handicapper, playing off an impressive +1. Charlie will partner Michael Thompson. Westley Burke & Mark Dupree (Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club) travel well and both have experience around the UAE, particularly Burke who will defend his Ras Al Khaimah Ramadan Open title this summer!
The experts, however, are touting the impressive duo from Al Badia Golf Club, Antony Su and Zhendong Tan. After a convincing victory in their qualifier, this dynamic duo have been working hard on their respective games and will be determined to win a place in the World Final and play outside the UAE for the first time.
Finalists
Arabian Ranches Golf Club – Rania Hage & Graham Atherton
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club – Sid Elday & CJ Niver
Yas Links – Elizabeth Campbell & Bill Lisgo
Emirates Golf Club – Alan & Soumaya Salem
The Address Montgomerie Dubai – Michael Thompson & Charlie Simpson
Al Hamra Golf Club – Jake Maki-Petaja & Dewald Lubbe
Tower Links Golf Club – Alistair Purves & Jeff Glasgow
Al Ghazal Golf Club – Rene Valencia & Ramesh Emmanuel
Al Badia Golf Club – Antony Su & Zhendong Tan
Jumeirah Golf Estates – Jonathan & Michelle Hall
Emirates Golf Federation – Alan Penford & Martin Hunt
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club – Alan & Josie Bushnell
Els Club – Manish Joshi & Satyamurthy Srinivasan
Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club – Westley Burke & Mark Dupree
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club – Ishwar Jodha & Ashok Ahuja
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club – Larry Benson & Chris Moore
National Final Numbers
16 – Pairs
5 – Ladies
27 – Gents
20 – Youngest player
68 – Oldest player
11.9 – Average Handicap
+1 – Lowest Handicap
11 – Nationalities represented
