Hubner sweeps in
DUBAI- Stephen Hubner (Dubai Creek, pictured) took the honours in the first event of the UAE Professional Golfers' Association's Summer Sweep series of tournaments at Four Seasons Golf Club. Hubner's 79 was enough to give him the victory, one stroke ahead of Alan Johnson (ProSports). Stuart Fee (Jebel Ali) was third with 81. The new series is designed to keep professional golfers playing competitive golf until the UAE PGA Order of Merit season begins in October.
Ashworth Summer Open: Boon for Mills
DUBAI- John Mills won the inaugural Ashworth Summer Open at Arabian Ranches in 2004 and made it a double this week when he won the fifth edition of the annual event.
The scratch golfer returned four birdies during a level-par round that was enough to give him the title on a back nine countback from Peter Shaw (Dubai Creek) and Chris Davis (Emirates GC) who also recorded 72s.
Arabian Ranches' Paul Smith (13 handicap) triumphed in the nett division with a brilliant 78 nett 65. This gave him a four-shot cushion from runner-up Denver Farrell (15, Arabian Ranches).
Smith's round included 12 pars, a birdie on hole 16 and, amazingly a triple bogey eight on the eighth hole.
The 18-hole tournament was title sponsored by Ashworth and supported by Gulf News, TNT and Xerox.
Sharjah record
Abdullah Al Masharrekh (hcp 6) set a new course record of 74 nett 68 on his way to victory in Division A of the July UGA Handicap Scheme Medal at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. Andrea Vocale's equally impressive 42 points was enough to win him Division B from Dylan Mustard (40). Simon Taylor won the longest drive while Satnam Kaur was nearest the pin. The next UGA Handicap Scheme medal is at Arabian Ranches on August 16. www.ugagolf.com