Charity is the winner

GLORIOUS weather and impressive golf ensured that American Mission Hospital’s 18th Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament at His Majesty King Hamad’s private golf course in Saffriya produced a profitable outcome for all involved.

A total of 44 teams took part in the three-day event and the scores remained unchanged from the second day as Saffriya 1 – made up of Naser Saad Al Mahasni, Juan Fuentes, Farooq Ahmed Mohamed and Mohamed Khalifa – claimed the Championship Flight, with African and Eastern taking the runners-up spot and Bahrain Confidential third place.

The Premier flight was won by Jawad Business Group – made up of Tapan Vaidya, Helmut Franek, Alex Hunter and Dr Heiner Abel – with DHL 1 in second place and Contax Partners following in third spot. GulfWeekly’s gallant own Ryder Cup alliance made up of Europeans Stan Szecowka and David Axtell with American playing partners Greg Pirkle and Charlie Reith picked up a couple of birdies on the way but fell well short of the prize scores.

The individual awards saw Fuentes claim the prize on Hole 2 for being closest to the pin. Mohamed Khalifa was awarded for making the most accurate drive on Hole 8 and the Ministry of Interior 2 team’s Abdulla Khalifa took the accolade for securing the longest putt on Hole 4.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Advisor of Youth and Sports to His Majesty the King, Saleh bin Hindi, who congratulated American Mission Hospital on the success of the tournament and extended best wishes from His Majesty for future events.

AMH chief medical officer/CEO Dr George Cheriyan thanked His Majesty for allowing the annual tournament to once again take place on his private golf course. Dr Cheriyan also thanked the many sponsors who had contributed to the success of the event.

“On behalf of the board members of the American Mission Hospital, I would like to thank all sponsors and all concerned who contributed to this golf tournament ensuring it continues to remain the resoundingly successful event it has become,” he added.

The Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament raises funds to buy much-needed equipment for the American Mission Hospital as well as supporting its community outreach programmes, as reported in GolfWeekly.

Mary O’Shaughnessy, the hospital’s senior events manager, said: “It was an absolute delight to see the golfers in action, showcasing their sportsmanship and skills while ensuring the event was both competitive and fun.

“We are also enormously grateful to our volunteers who have willingly given their time over the past three days. Last, but not least, our grateful thanks to His Majesty’s golf course staff for their co-operation and assistance throughout the tournament.”

Donations worth at least BD59,000 have so far been collected and more funds will go to the cause as a result of tomorrow evening’s auction and raffle during a celebratory dinner at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.

* The players at the AMH Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament not only enjoyed a game, they also tucked into some fabulous fare, thanks to Jawad Business Group once again supporting the event as an in-kind sponsor. Refreshments and food came courtesy of Papa Johns, Burger King, Dairy Queen and Chili’s.