Dubai: Khalid Attieh held his nerve when it mattered most to win the Emirates Golf Federation's Scratch Matchplay Championship at the Saadiyat Beach GC in Abu Dhabi at the weekend.
The Arabian Ranches Golf Club prodigy, who was seeded ninth, defeated 10th seed Brett Armstrong of Al Badia Golf Club 2 and 1 in the final which produced quality golf from both the talented players.
The ladies division final, however, turned out to be a tame affair with top seed Lindsay Brown cruising past third seed Nasha Sarkari 4 and 3 to take the honours while Ronan Hall was equally impressive in the junior boys division, beating Connor Keegan (EGC) 5 and 4 in the final to take the title.
Attieh, who featured in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after winning the European Tour event's qualifier earlier this year, was in superb form, defeating Ariel Ignacio of the Montgomerie Dubai 5 and 4 in a semi-final match while Armstrong was too hot against EGF's Abdullah Al Musharrakh, also winning this semi-final match 5 and 4.
Ignacio, who was seeded 14th, finished a creditable third when he defeated Al Musharrakh 5 and 4 in a playoff for third and fourth place.
Superb showing
Talented Brown of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club dominated the proceedings in the ladies division. She recorded a thumping 9 and 7 win over EGF's Sandra Grenet in her sem-final match and then sealed the title with another superb showing in the final against Sarkari, who had received a bye to the final after her opponent Viet Petersen failed to show up.
In the junior boys final, third seed Hall and eighth seed Keegan set up the final with hard-fought wins in the semi-finals. Hall defeated second seed Philipp Urasch 2 up while Keegan got the better of fifth seed Bilal Belaid on the 21st hole.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club's Beladi made it to the podium, defeating young Urasch 6 and 4 in a play-off for the third and fourth place.
Saeed Al Budoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation, congratulated the players for making the season-ending event a great success. "We have had some great performances during the season which clearly reflects on the rising standards of the game in the UAE.
"I would also like to thanks all the golf clubs for helping us stage the tournaments. They all have been very supportive and we value their gesture," he added.
RESULTS
Men's Division:
Final: Khalid Attieh (ARGC) beat Brett Armstrong (ABGC) 2 and 1
Play-off for third/fourth place: Ariel Ignacio (TMD) beat Abdullah Al Musharrakh (EGF) 5 and 4
Semi-finals: Khalid Attieh beat Ariel Ignacio 5 and 4 and Brett Armstrong beat Abdullah Al Musharrakh 5 and 4.
Ladies' Division:
Final: Lindsay Brown (AAESGC) beat Nasha Sarkari (DCGYC) 4 and 3.
Play-off for third/fourth place was places was not staged (Sandra Grenet of EGF declared third)
Semi-finals:
Lindsay Brown beat Sandra Grenet 9 and 7
Nasha Sarkari beat Eida Al Muhairbi in quarter-finals. Nasha received a bye to final.
Junior Boys' Division:
Final: Ronan Hall (YLAD) beat Connor Keegan (EGC) 5 and 4
Play-off for third/fourth place: Belal Belaid (ADGC) beat Philipp Urasch (EGC) 6 and 4
Semi-finals:
Ronan Hall beat Philip Urasch 2 up; Connor Keegan beat Bilal Belaid on 21st hole.
