Dubai : Michael Harradine kept his cool when it mattered most to win the Shaikh Rashid Trophy, organised by the Emirates Golf Federation, at the Jebel Golf Resort and Spa yesterday.
The 27-year-old defied the stamina-sapping heat and humidity to close with a tidy 73 to go eight-over-par 224 for the tournament which, in the end, was good enough to beat his nearest challenger Daniel Hendry by a good four shots.
Top Saudi golfer Othman Al Mulla made his present felt in the elite field, finishing third on a gross 229, four shots ahead of Abdullah Al Musharrekh, who became the first UAE national to post a podium finish since the inception of the tournament in 1998.
The tournament, sponsored by Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, turned out be a huge success with almost all leading amateurs in the UAE and a couple of them from overseas contesting for honours at three different courses from the Championship tees.
It was Harradine who held the centre stage on the final day with a solid tee-to-green golf. "It feels great to win this prestigious tournament. Overall, I am very happy the way I played. Conditions were tough, but I managed to keep the ball in play and tried to hit the greens as much possible," he said.
Hendry, who shot a 76 in the final round, had his chances, but a double-bogey on the ninth proved to be crucial in the end.
Not giving any chances
"Michael and I were eight over at that stage, but after that two dropped shots, I just couldn't match pace with him. He really played well thereafter and never gave any chances. Well, beating the heat was another big challenge. Anyway, I am really glad with the second-place finish. No regrets." said the winner of the Emirates Golf Federation's Junior Order of Merit title.
Al Musharrakh, a member of the UAE national team, carded 77 to secure a creditable fourth-place finish. "I think I could have done much better, but made some stupid mistakes. You learn new things every day in golf. The experience of playing three days on the trot will come in handy in the future," he said.
Competition was held in net division with Martin Vertigen of Emirates Golf Federation taking the honours in Division A with back-to-back rounds of 74, just ahead of Hassan Musharrekh (73 and 75). Fred Watts walked away with the Division B title with rounds of 71 and 69.
Adel Zarouni, secretary-general of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Saeed Malek, who represented the Jebel Ali Golf Club owning family, presented the prizes.
"The Shaikh Rashid Trophy will be much bigger and better next year," said Zarouni. "Quite a few players from the UK, Bahrain, Tunisia, Morocco and other countries have already promised to sign up for the event next year. Even though the tournament has returned to domestic circuit after a gap of our years, there was no dearth of enthusiasm."
Scores
Winner (gross): Michael Harradine (Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa) eight over 224 2, Daniel Hendry (Emirates Golf Club) 12 over 228 3. Othman Al Mulla (Saudi Arabia) 13-over 229 4. Abdullah Al Musharrekh (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club) 17-over 233 5. Douglas Maclennan (Arabian Ranches Golf Club) 18-over 234 Best Net Day 1 (Al Badia Golf Club): Fred Watts net 71 Best Net Day 2 (The Els Club): Fred Watts net 69 Best Gross Day 1 (Al Badia Golf Club: Othman Almulla gross 75 Best Gross Day 2 (The Els Club): Bret Armstrong (Al Badia Golf Club) 73 Division A (scratch to 10 handicap):
Nett winner: Martin Vertigen (Emirates Golf Federation) 74 74 Net runner-up: Hassan Al Musharrekh (Dubai Cree Golf and Yacht Club) 73 75 Division B (11-18 handicap):
Nett winner: Fred Watts (Arabian Ranches Golf Club) Net runner-up: John Watts (Arabian Ranches Golf Club)
