Dubai: One hundred players took on the challenge of participating from the red tees last Saturday.
The shorter course should have resulted in an avalanche of low scores, however below-par returns were in fairly short supply, with the majority of the field perhaps being too aggressive from the advanced tee positions.
The three ‘Nearest The Pin’ awards went to Parth Goel (junior category); Soumaya Salem (ladies’ category); and Robert Platt (gents’ category). Taking away the prizes available for the ‘Longest Drives’ were Rayhaan Thomas (junior category); Vanessa North (ladies’ category); and Ryan Riley (gents’ category).
The overall ‘Best Junior’ category was won by Vijayesh Kondath with a score of 43 points. He was closely followed home in his category by Dhruv Nair, who finished just one point behind.
In the Ladies’ Division, it was Joy Lirio who came out on top, thanks to her solid score of 35 points. Maura Duggan took home the runner-up prize, three points behind Lirio.
The Gents’ Division was a very closely-fought affair, with Craig McBride taking third spot, a single point behind Alok Pant, who recorded an excellent 42 stableford points on his way to claiming second place.
Ryan Riley secured victory in the Gents’ Division with a tremendous return of 43 points.
Playing off handicap of 1, this score was something very special indeed. The overall winner on the day however, just edging out Riley by a single point, was Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club member Mitesh Desai, whose ‘Best of the day’ score of 44 points was just too hot for the rest of the field.
This new event was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part, and the second staging of this event has already been confirmed in the Dubai Creek calendar for 2013.
