WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT!

AWALI Golf Club (AGC), which proudly boasts the oldest golf course in the Middle East, has stumbled across a significant milestone which reveals it will shortly be celebrating its 80th anniversary.

The 80th, traditionally known as an ‘oak’ anniversary, will truly be a chip off the old block for lovers of the course, infamous for its challenging ‘Awali bounce’ and unique ‘browns’ instead of greens.

A document confirming the date of the famous sporting enterprise’s creation has been unearthed by the club’s historian Onny Martin making the club one year older than living members originally thought.

'Being a year older is not always a cause for celebration, but in AGC’s case it is!' said recently reappointed club captain Bill Scarth.

'This summer our historian, Onny Martin, found a document, held in an online library in Qatar, that shows the club was founded in 1937, making us one year older than we thought.

'January 4, 2017, therefore, marks our 80th birthday and we are already preparing for a grand celebration.

'We intend to hold a special competition on Friday, January 6, and will be contacting ex-AGC members from around the world to come and enjoy the celebrations. We will also produce a range of golf items to mark the event.'

The oak has long been regarded as an ‘enduring and mighty’, as US congressman and lawyer Bob Goodlatte famously once said describing his country’s national tree. Similarly, AGC boasts enduring and mighty tees. Its 6,309 yard par-70 sand course of rock fairways and oiled areas around the holes, clubhouse and related facilities are maintained by its major sponsor Bapco as a recreational outlet for the oil company’s employees, with guest membership available for others.

It is believed Bapco golfers started playing in the vicinity of Oil Well No.1 near Jebel Dhukan, then moved to a course at Awali village for a short time before then moving to AGC’s current location close to the Royal Golf Club in Riffa Views.

Delving deeper into the contents of Awali’s Library, Bapco’s The Islander newspaper published on November 29, 1961, headlined an article ‘Celebrating 25 years since the course was moved from Awali to Riffa’.

This statement was made in the 1961/62 season and thus refers to a move made in the 1936/37 season, confirming that the ‘new golf course' indeed does refer to the club’s current course, Onny told members.

The above Bapco document was found within the archives of the British Government’s India Office - online at the Qatar Digital Library. Within the archive, there is one other document that makes reference to this official opening of AGC’s course. The text of this document reads: ‘On the 4th January 1937 at 14:45 hours I declared the new Bapco Golf Course open, after a short speech. I excused myself from staying on for the [lunch] refreshments on the plea of work. Mr. Skinner drove the first ball - an excellent drive. [Signed] GL 6/1/37

Mr Skinner after my speech said a few words of commendation of the work done by Mr Pfefferkorn on the course. [Signed] GL 6/1.’

The originator of this second document was Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, the British Political Agent in Bahrain from 1932 to 1937 and the British Government’s most senior local representative. Being invited to the event, he was probably the primary guest of honour. Ed Skinner was Bapco’s GM at the time.

The history of the club fascinates Scarth, 57, who only took up the sport four years ago, is proud to carry the torch into 2017. He started out having lessons from the club’s professional Matt Chalmers and got his first handicap nine months later.

The security consultant now plays off a handicap of 14 and his target for this season is a two shot reduction which he’s confident he will achieve … if only he can keep his ‘ball on the fairway, chip well and hole some putts!’

The club has a long tradition that its captain only stands for one year and indeed the last time AGC had a captain for two consecutive years was way back in 1987.

Although he had enjoyed ‘a most fantastic year’ it was his intention to stand aside. Another well held tradition is that the captain comes up ‘through the ranks’ with the vice-captain stepping into the role having learned the ropes. However, the vice-captain from last year, Paul Beaumont, had to leave the island and the club was presented with no natural progression.

Scarth says he was ‘honoured’ to be asked to stand again and was ‘grateful to all the members for voting him in. 'I think one of the reasons a new captain is a good tradition is that it enables the club to constantly move forward with fresh ideas whilst maintaining all that is good about our wonderful club,' he said. 'So that will be a challenge for me to tackle head-on.

'I already have a number of new initiatives in mind and am blessed with a committee of experience hands and new faces. I’m sure they will keep me on track and force me to consider new or alternative options.'

The surprise 80th anniversary is an added bonus and will be a fabulous opportunity for all those associated with the club to promote golf and the facility.

Scarth said: I have challenged the committee to provide a strong competition season, an exciting and varied social programme and to make material improvements to the clubhouse and course.

'This is a team challenge and I know our excellent committee will deliver. Our fixture list is looking strong with a good range of competitions for the handicapped members.

'The social programme is also very exciting with a range of activities, both weekly and monthly, that all players can enjoy.

'These are particularly important because, as amateurs, we play golf for fun not money. It also allows non-handicapped players to develop their game and achieve handicapped status if that is their desire.

'Progress has already been made on club improvements with new driving range targets and better quality patio furniture. We are also working hard to get the course itself in top condition.

'Finally, we need to reach out to all members and seek their thoughts on what they would like to see. The committee has been asked to take this forward over the coming weeks and then we will prioritise financially viable improvements for completion as soon as possible.'

Charity is always on the agenda too. Scarth, with the support of members, last season managed to raise BD2,800 which went to the Ria Institute and The Seafarers Mission.

'Golfers are blessed with reasonably good health and sufficient income to fund their pastime,' he said. 'I think it is therefore important that all Awali golfers acknowledge their privileged position and do something to help those less fortunate.

'We will continue to support local children’s charities and I have a range of ideas on how to maintain our strong levels of sponsorship.

'An old favourite is that players voluntarily donate BD1 to the Captain’s Charity every time they hit a ball into the water hazards. Without wishing bad fortune on anyone, I’m hoping players will regularly ‘find the water’ this season!'

The annual ‘Captain’s Drive In’, featured in last week’s issue, kicked off the charitable endeavours and new events will also be introduced including raffles, pitching contests and ball sweeps to keep players both entertained and donating in small but manageable sums.

'There are no barriers to playing golf and just like Bahrain, AGC is noted for the friendly welcome that any visitor receives,' added Scarth

'What I really love about AGC is that perfect blend of competitive sport and social interaction. We keenly compete but then get together afterwards for a drink, some food and to re-live our shots with an increasingly hazy memory.

'Awali Golf Club is open to golfers of any ability. If you are just starting out, we have a fantastic teaching professional to guide you and help you from the outset. We also hold regular non handicap competitions and events specifically for inexperienced golfers.

'Seasoned players will find an exciting competition schedule with an interesting mix of singles and pairs competitions. But, above all, you will find a family of Awali golfers ready to welcome you and make you feel at home.'