In the end it took 19 holes of match play and a nerve-racking sudden-death play-off, but Arabian Ranches emerged victorious and lifted the inaugural Invitational Scratch Golf League title at Emirates Golf Club.
With the match score in the final against Abu Dhabi Golf Club locked at 2-2, each captain nominated two players to continue the battle back down the first.
The pairings looked for-midable as ADGC's Alex Charawani and Alistair Crombie squared up against the Ranches' John Mills and Johann Wasserman. But as the hole played out, the Abu Dhabi pair were left with no choice but to concede Wasserman's putt for a par four and the title went to the men from the Desert Course.
Earlier, with the top and bottom matches finishing quickly with one in favour of each side, all eyes had been focused on Abu Dhabi's Chris Wilmot and Alistair Crombie who faced Andy Burrow and Rob Garner. Wilmot and Crombie were one up on the 18th tee after Wilmot's birdie on 17.
But Arabian Ranches were not about to lie down and a 247-yard approach over water set up a 15-foot eagle putt which Burrow stroked home to square the match.
The score stood at 1.5-1.5 and the only match remaining was Mike Massie and Bruce Mackenzie against Arabian Ranches' Tim Prescott and Ian Scott. Level after 16, the pairs could not be separated as the last two holes were halved in pars.
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club beat Dubai Country Club/Sharjah Wanderers combined team 4-0 in the third/fourth place match.
HOW THEY FINISHED
Final (Majlis, EGC): Abu Dhabi GC 2 Arabian Ranches GC 2. Arabian Ranches (Mills and Wasserman) beat Abu Dhabi (Charawani and Crombie) at first extra hole.
Match scores (ADGC first): Alex Charawani and Hany Abdelnour bt Steve Bennett and Kevin O'Connell 4&3; Chris Wilmot and Alistair Crombie halved with Andy Burrow and Rob Garner; Mike Massie and Bruce Mackenzie halved with Tim Prescott and Ian Scott; Andy Perry and Andy Schumpp lost to Johann Wasserman and John Mills 6&4
Third/fourth match: Dubai Creek GYC 4 Dubai Country Club/Sharjah Wanderers GC 0.
Match scores (DCGYC first): Miki Mirza and Chris Davis bt Malcolm Tennant and Bob Driver 1 up; Joel Neale and Paul King bt Doug Cameron and Euan Smylie 4&2; Andy Andrews and Shezad Lakdawala bt Stewart Cranston and Peter Kristensson 1 up; Saeed Malik and Bayhaan Lakdawala beat Steve Higson and Tony Kettlewell 5&4
Semi-finals (Wadi, EGC): Arabian Ranches 3 beat Dubai Creek 1; Abu Dhabi Golf Club 3 Dubai Country Club/Sharjah Wanderers 1
