Ismail Sharif emerges winner

Ismail Sharif (EGC) (6) beat Hamad Al Medfa (EGC) (12) 6 & 5 at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club to win the 2001-02 UAE Nationals Singles Matchplay Championship.

The event, the brain child of the UAE Nationals Committee, started back in September when 61 players entered this - handicap allowance matchplay format played from the Blue competition tees.

The Final saw Sharif giving fellow squad members five handicap shots. After two halved holes, Sharif then went six up after eight holes to effectively end the game. A few exchanged holes to follow saw Sharif shaking hands on the 13th green.

Sharif gave credit to his son Nabil, "After Nabil (UGA) beat Abdulla Obaidulla (DCGYC) in an early round, we were due to play against each other.

However, Nabil was aware of his exam schedule and decided to give the match to me and for me to represent the family for the rest of the tournament. This victory is very much Nabil's as well."

Result: Ismail Sharif (EGC) beat Hamad Al Medfa (EGC) 6&5.

Dubai. Fourteen-year-old Abdullah Al Mosharrekh (DCGYC) clinched an impressive double at the weekend by adding the UAE Junior Squad Order of Merit to his UAE Junior Net Order of Merit.

Mosharrekh showed grit to produce 34 Stableford points in the final Callaway Golf 18-hole meeting held at Emirates Golf Club's Majlis course. Despite not playing to his best form Mosharrekh fought off the persistent Rowan Baker (DCGYC), who pushed him all the way to the final hole of the 16th qualifying round scoring 33 points himself.

The other contenders Rashid Al Abbar and Simon Jones (both DCGYC) could only manage 31 and 30 points respectively. These results meant the top three remained unchanged.

The days results saw the much improved Jassim Talah (DCGYC) taking first place with 41 Stableford points. This saw a four-point lead over the ever-steady second-placed Kabir Seth (EGC).

Ben Connoly (DCGYC) underlined his recent form by taking third and Kunwar Khehar (EGC) made a final mark on his quest for a place in the 2002/3 UAE Junior Team by taking best gross.