Dubai: Paul Sa’ad claimed the Omega Dubai Creek Men’s Amateur Open, the first EGF (Emirates Golf Federation) Order of Merit event of 2014 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht club over last weekend. Over 100 players participated in this 36 hole stroke-play event.
“It was a blessing to be able to come back for vacation and to be able to compete with everyone I had grown up with. It really made the entire experience enjoyable and very interesting. Having lived in Texas for one year and playing in difficult conditions similar to those we faced in the tournament, I knew that a good score depended more on manoeuvering safely around the course than hitting brilliant golf shots,” Sa’ad, a former member of the club, said.
The 18th hole at Dubai Creek has always provided a dramatic finish and this was no exception.
A wayward tee shot from Sa’ad saw him finish up in the sandy waste. A crowd had gathered at the back of the 18th to watch this exciting finale. It was Sa’ad up first as Max Burrow and Bayhaan Alderman were both inside 15 feet.
The pressure started getting onto Sa’ad as he almost putted into the back bunker off the 18th green. This caused a momentary stir in the crowd at the slight chance of a play-off.
Great nerve
Sa’ad now had a tough two putt for the victory but showed great nerve and judged his first putt beautifully — leaving it just a foot past the hole for a simple return putt and victory.
Elsewhere in the field, there were some closely contested battles also. Lakdawala finished second after rounds of 77 and 74 for a total of 151. Last year’s champion Chris Cornwall finished in third place with two rounds of 80 and 75 for a total of 155. Mark Williams and Miki Mirza finished tied on 156 but it was Williams who edged out Mirza for 4th position on a round 2 count back.
Dubai Creek Golf Club member Michael Nielsen took the overall net prize with a two-day total of three-over par 145. Adhip Shankar took the second place net after two rounds of 70 and 79, while a two-day total of 151 was enough for Jean Hendrickx to claim 3rd.
