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Awali Golf Club continued to celebrate its 80th anniversary of the opening of its current course with His Majesty King Hamad’s Festival of Golf.
The event, staged with royal approval, opened with a corporate charity spectacular last Wednesday with Arcapita, African & Eastern, American Express, Bapco, Tatweer and Nass supporting 15 teams who participated in a Texas Scramble formatted contest.
Play commenced with a shotgun start with Team Infonas, represented by Fares Al Qutami, Sultan Al Hakam, Hamad Al Qutami and Ahmed Mohammed, emerging victorious.
The festival fun continued on Friday with 152 players participating in a stroke play medal event. Abdulla Khalifa Essa was the medal winner with a gross of 71. Phil Morrison took home the winning net prize carding a net 63 (gross 87).
In the spotlight were not only the day’s winners. Special guest Mohammed Abdulla received a commemorative gift and a standing ovation from all present.
Mohammed was the first ever Bahraini winner of the Bahrain Open, taking the top spot in the ninth tournament in March, 1972, and although ill health has caused his retirement from the game he loves, he continues to attend the Opens as a spectator, often seen supporting the players as they make their first tee shot at Hole 1.
A Texas Scramble was staged on the following day with morning and afternoon Shotgun starts for all members. Among the many prize-winning teams on Saturday, Tim Beynon, Richard Pawson, Kerry Diaper and Salem Khalifa Masood took top honours with a net 54.
The weekend celebrations concluded on both nights with a sumptuous Gulf Hotel-catered meal enjoyed by all in a majlis constructed specifically for the event on the club’s grounds.
The prize table resembled a pro shop, as the appreciative competition winners were awarded sets of clubs, bags, trollies, drivers and putters.
