Mittal is knight in

A packed field of 94 golfers competed in Awali Golf Club’s Black Knights Black-Ball Stableford competition. Black Knight Vidhu Mittal galloped to the winner’s place in the individual event with 42 points in a photo finish with Abdulla Sultan, who lost on countback.

In a format where a player must play with a black-coloured ball every third hole, and that hole’s score counting to both the individual and team score, the black ball is reputed to have the strange power to focus concentration just a little more than usual.

In excellent playing conditions, it seems the myth was indeed proven as 28 players returned scores equivalent to handicap or better.

The day was sponsored by The Black Knights, seven members of the club who ‘wish to give something back for the many moments of fun, frustration, and sheer joy provided by Awali Golf Club’.

Prizes were presented by Black Knight Roshni Khanna, assisted by tournament director Richard Loker and master-of-ceremonies vice-captain Bill Scarth.

After play, the clubhouse was packed as majority of the players were present, perhaps due to the sponsors’ decree that prizes would only be awarded to those in attendance.

Ali Danesh finished third with 41 points, Maeve O’Tuama fourth with 40 and Rajesh Khanna was fifth with 39. The main pack followed charging close on the prize-winners’ heels, led by another eight players losing on countback.

The event was played in groups of three-balls to form a team, with players allocated randomly in the start sheet. With a score of 39 points, O’Tuama, Graham Tole and Kwang Bok Kim cantered forward to receive the overall team winner prizes, runners-up being the trio of Mario Carrangan Jnr, Jeff Paa and Sun Kyu Kwak, losing out on countback.

In a thoughtful gesture, the Black Knights also presented a gift to clubhouse staff members Ashok Elavanthara, Haridasan Elavanthara and Sasi Povil as a thank you for their contribution to the enjoyment of everyone at the club for more than three decades.