Challenging contests

TWO days of simultaneous historic competition play took place over the weekend at Awali Golf Club. Both competitions are longstanding challenges – the Russell Cup, believed to have commenced in 1940, awarded for gross score over the two days, and the Memorial Trophy, first run in 1959, being awarded for nett score over the same period.

Sponsored by Bapco, its acting chief executive Adel Al Moayyed presented the prizes to the winners, assisted by club captain Steve Brown and tournament director Janet McAlpine.

The weekend belonged to Ali Musbah with a gross score of 72 on both days, he took home the Russell Cup with an overall 144.

His score also gave him the medals for best gross on each day, and with a nett-69 on each day, his score also gave him third place in the Memorial Trophy. Abdulrahman Amin grabbed the runner-up place on 150 (72, 78) and Peter O’Brien was 3rd on 152 (78, 74), Mohammed Rashid losing out on countback.

Meanwhile, in the nett results and the Memorial Trophy, schoolboy Ahmed Mohammed proved that the 6-shot handicap cut he received after winning last week’s competition was inadequate to accurately access the speed of his rise: he came home the winner with a nett-134 (72, 62).

Those that adjust handicaps put on their thinking-caps again and announced a 4-shot cut this time, meaning his handicap has reduced from 25 to 15 in two weeks.

The packed clubhouse erupted in typical style at the announcement, some suggesting that scratch may more accurately reflect his future. Runner-up honours went to Janet McAlpine with steady play and a nett-138 (70, 68). However, the appearance of the same nett-results winner two weeks running was not the only example of deja vu.

In the Bill Brien Trophy two weeks ago, Petri Kettunen rolled in an eagle-2 on the par-4 third. This weekend, Peter O’Brien stepped forward to stake his claim to be a member of the ‘Eagles-r-Us’ club. In the interests of avoiding monotony, he chose the par-4 hole-11 to achieve his gross-2 eagle score. Others in the clubhouse were heard mumbling ‘why do we bother?’

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All golfers are invited to join the Royal Golf Club’s inaugural Christmas Open golf tournament, held in association with Coca-Cola.

The competition tees off with a 12.30pm shotgun start on December 21, and finishes up with a prize-giving ceremony and festive dinner after play.

There are impressive prizes to be won courtesy of the sponsors. Manager DJ Flanders said: “This is our final open tournament of the year and promises to be great fun. In addition to the on-course beverage stands, the sponsors are putting up some fantastic prizes including iPod docks, headphones, a year’s supply of Coca-Cola and lots more.”

The tournament costs BD18 for members and BD61 for visitors, inclusive of green fees and dinner.
To sign up, call 17750777.