African adventure

ACE golfers Yeon Gul Kim and Keith Watson returned from an ‘incredible’ Volvo golfing experience in South Africa to a special reception on Sunday in their honour at the Motor City showroom in Sitra.

They were greeted by the dealer’s senior general manager Dr Bigan Majidi, Trevor Fletcher, sales manager, passenger cars, and Dina Abiad, marketing manager.

Yeon Gul Kim won the Bahrain Grand Final of the prestigious Volvo World Golf Challenge at the Royal Golf Club (RGC) with a score of 36 stableford points and Keith Watson came runner-up with 34 points ahead of a field of 40 players.

Their reward was a complimentary invitation to fly off to the Volvo World Golf Challenge Final to be held at the fabulous Fancourt Golf Resort in South Africa in May.

“It was a stunning and memorable experience,” said Kim, from South Korea, who has lived in the kingdom for 14 years, plays regularly at the RGC, and is director / general manager of Youngjin Enterprise.

He picked up his golfing prowess in between sailing between the west coast of the US and Australia in his days as a captain of vessels and plays off a handicap of 12.

The World Final was played over 36 holes at The Links, Fancourt, and attracted more than 60 finalists representing 24 countries. Kim finished tied 18th with a total score of 51 points (R1 - 30, R2 - 21).

British expat Watson, Reza Hygiene division manager based in Saudi Arabia, who lives in Bahrain and plays off a 9 handicap, was in startling form. In a lofty fourth position after 11 holes he had to settle for a very respectable tied 11th place with a total score of 57 points (R1- 30, R2 – 27).

He said: “It was amazing. The event was so professional and well run and a great reflection on Volvo.”

The World Final of the Volvo World Golf Challenge came to its conclusion after two days of exciting play with 8-handicapper Xie Hong from China taking the title, finishing on 73 stableford points.

At the close of play all of the finalists gathered around the 18th green to congratulate the winner. In the evening the players and their Volvo hosts took part in the gala dinner, and after receiving the crystal trophy at the official prize-giving event, Hong said: “This is one of the highlights of my life. For me the word GOLF means G for green, O for oxygen, L for life and F for friendship.”

6-handicapper Padamjit Sandhu from India finished second on 69 points after a day when the competition was open until very close to the end. Hong’s fellow countryman, Wang Jian, who was playing off a 4 handicap, finished third on 68.