Thompsons triumph in Emirates mixed Amateur open at the Emirates Golf Club
New format next year will add more fire to the event, says Kandhari Carolyn and Nigel Thompson combined effectively to win the Emirates Mixed Amateur Open, supported by Al Dobowi, at the Emirates Golf Club.
The pair defeated David Gowans and Jocelyn Lirio in a tense four-hole playoff when Carolyn rolled in an unbelievable 50-foot birdie putt.
Going into the final round, the Thompsons found themselves five shots off the pace set by the junior pairing of Jack Duguid and Elesha Dunn. Following their opening 73 over the Faldo course they were also four shots adrift of Lirio and Gowans.
On their home course, the Majlis, the Thompsons felt at ease and managed to card a 6-under par 66. Gowans and Lirio needed to par the famous 18th hole but unfortunately took four shots from the side of the green to force a sudden death playoff.
The pairings matched each other stroke for stroke in the tricky Greensomes format and crunch 10-foot putts over the first three playoff holes took them to the par three fourth where Carolyn Thompson holed a majestic 50-foot putt for the prestigious title.
Gowans and Lirio had to settle for runners-up place, the third time during the 18 years of the Championship.
The 2002 champions Tony and Chris Hutchinson produced an impressive performance to follow their opening 75 with a 2-under 70 to clinch third place on a 145 tally. Also on that mark was the duo of Dalip Tripathi and Nina Watson as they settled for fourth after a final round countback.
Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of Al Dobowi, presented the prizes. “We have been sponsoring this event for the 18 years and would continue to do so as long as we can,” he said, adding: “We may change the format next year to add more fire to the event.”
Results:
Winners: Net 139 – Carolyn Thompson (EGC) and Nigel Thompson (EGC) 73 66 (playoff)
Runners-up: Net 139 – Jocelyn Lirio (DCGYC) and David Gowans (DCGYC) 69 +70
Third: Net 145 – Tony Hutchinson (EGC) and Chris Hutchinson (EGC) 75 + 70 (countback)
Fourth: Net 145 – Dalip Tripathi (EGC) and Nina Watson (EGC) 74 + 71
Overall best gross: 162 Anand Lakhiani (EGC) and Viv Caley (EGC) 84 + 78
Best net day one: Jack Duguid (FHGC) and Elesha Dunn (EGC) 68
Best net day two: Maria Petre (EGC) and Lars Petre (EGC) 69
Best gross day one: Darren Cole (EGC) and Fran Cole (EGC) 79
Best gross day two: Chris Turlik (EGC) and Rosemary Turlik (EGC) 76
Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of Al Dobowi, Nigel Thompson, Caroline Jones (lady captain), Carolyn Thompson and Mike Sim (Captain) at the presentation ceremony
