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Comfortable in the depths of the Awali Golf Club silverware cabinet, a dim and distant trophy emerged from a deep hibernation on Friday, with the resumption of the Schlumberger Trophy competition.
The event was last held in the 1995/96 season and therefore was returning after a pause – one of 19 years.
Even the weather contributed to the hiatus, as the powers-that-be had planned to run the event last November but it was abandoned due to rain.
A field of more than 90 players were in the fray to reach the winner’s podium, including one previous winner - Sultan Ahmed - who won the trophy 22 years ago.
Battling against strong winds that resulted in the average score being not as good as in recent weeks, Abdulla Al Ghatam steered his ball most accurately and took top honours with 40 Stableford points, just ahead of Ahmed Al Noaimi in runner-up place with 39 points.
Sultan was not quite up to his previous form and was placed 11th this time.
Sponsored by Schlumberger, its country manager Hichem Al Bouhlel presented prizes, assisted by tournament director Richard Loker.
Results: 1st Abdulla Al Ghatam (40 points), 2nd Ahmed Al Noaimi (39), 3rd Ahmed Mahjid (38), 4th Mohammed Rashid (37), 5th Abdulla Sultan Faraj (37).
