Dubai: The Dubai Creek Club Championships saw large scale participation by the club members in one weekend for the third time to compete for the men’s, ladies and junior prizes. Conditions became increasingly difficult as the weekend progressed but all three divisions were fought for brilliantly and eventually three worthy winners were crowned victorious.
Bayhaan Lakdawala defended his title for the second time in three years when he followed up a round of 67 with a second round 75 to win in convincing style and confirm himself as Dubai Creek Club champion once again.
For the third year in a row, one competitor was a cut above the rest in this tournament. He began with a flawless 67 (-4) to open up a five shot lead heading into the final round. As the conditions worsened however, other competitors fought back. Obediah Ayton increasingly grew into the competition and he followed up an opening 78 with a superb 73 to get himself into third place. Nathan Seldon was in solo second after round 1 and his second round of 78 saw him stay just there.
In the Men’s division, Miki Mirza was awarded best gross on day 1, shooting a great round of 75 (+4). With greens becoming increasingly fast and winds picking up Liam Wealleans was able to take best gross on day two with a fantastic 74 (+3). Josh Kemp won the best nett on Day I with a level par 71 and Jaime Gorman shot an equally solid level par to take the second day’s honours.
Anca Mirela Mateiu emerged victorious and became the new ladies club champion for 2022 after rounds of 82 and 79. She beat Glory Xavier by two shots after a hard fought closing nine holes.
Shiba Wahid fired a fantastic first round 62 to propel herself to the top of the Ladies Net leader board and followed that up with a 74, finishing at -7, claiming victory in this division. Janet Kim was the ladies net runner up at +2.
In the junior division, last year’s captain Raghav Gulati made a very strong start, firing an opening round 69 (-2) to give himself a 6 shot lead over Nikhil Bhatia as they headed into Day 2. Nikhil fought back brilliantly and joined Raghav for a share of the lead midway through the second round. Raghav was able to finish brilliantly, however. With three birdies down the closing stretch, he finished at +5 for the tournament, beating Nikhil by 8, and successfully defending his Junior Club Championship title.
Vihaan Sharma was the boy’s net champion finishing at +11. He beat Wenji Li by two strokes. Winning the girls net prize was Hannah Allen with two great rounds of 77.
