Tight Finish at Els Club Tech Access International Pairs UAE Qualifier
Once again, a scorecard countback was required to separate the top two teams in a Tech Access International Pairs UAE Qualifier, this time at the prestigious Els Club in Dubai. When husband and wife pairing Mercedes Sheen & Mark Siddorn posted a formidable score of 41 stableford points in the better-ball format, it seemed unlikely to be matched until Kevin Black and George Goulay, playing in the final group completed their round with exactly the same score. The tension at the conclusion of the seventh International Pairs UAE event was heightened as both pairs scored 20 points on the back-9 and the countback went to the final six holes but Mercedes and Mark were left to rue a no-score on the difficult 15th hole as Kevin & George secured their passage to the inaugural Tech Access International Pairs UAE National Final in May.
It was Gourlay who shouldered much of the scoring responsibilities, particularly on the outward nine as he scored 20 points by himself but Black’s contributions at crucial stages, notably a net birdie on the third and a significant par on the finishing hole could not be underestimated and this steady pair may be one to look out for in May as they vie with pairs from every other club in the UAE for an all-expenses trip to the International Pairs World Final in Scotland. Sheen & Siddorn produced a creditable performance and mixed four net birdies and two net eagles with some steady pars but ultimetly came up just short. Completing the prize line-up in third place was the pairing of Graham Morrall and the ever-green Ian Walton. An excellent back-9 of 21 points failed to overcome a steady but unspectacular front-9 as they compiled 39 points.
Hole prizes were awarded to Stephen Cleary for Nearest-the-Pin on the 4th hole and to Terri Stewart, whose drive on the 18th hole was the longest of the day.
This was the seventh Qualifying event in the 2010-11 Tech Access International Pairs UAE Presented by Cadillac. Black and Gourlay join representatives from Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Montgomerie Dubai, Al Ghazal Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates whose names are already in the National Final draw. The next Qualifying event on 19th March sees the third visit for International Pairs UAE to a European Tour venue when members of Emirates Golf Club will have the opportunity to be involved in the only Club Members’ international event in the UAE. A full field is expected over the famous Majlis Course. International Pairs UAE is sponsored by Tech Access, Cadillac, Diamond Developers, Emirates Healthcare Ltd. and partnered by Park Hyatt Dubai, Delwood, Nike Golf, Sport 360, Worldwide Golf and UAE Golf Online.
Photo:
The Els Club Dubai Winners, Kevin Black and George Gourlay, pictured with Els Club General Manager, Chris Brown.
