The ‘Qatar Masters’ team of Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer beat ‘Football Masters’ Gordon Strachan, Andy Gray and Chris Coleman in a golf and football challenge ahead of this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The golfing trio, who all played in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week, defeated their footballing opponents in fun-filled games at the new QAFCO Family zone of the Doha Golf Club.
Every player had to first kick a tennis ball at the targets, which ranged from 10 to 50 points, before using a plastic golf club to chip the ball and score points.
Unsurprisingly both Kaymer and Garcia nailed the maximum 50 points when their short game was called into action by the chipping challenge.
Speaking about the light-hearted fun, Stenson admitted he surprised himself with his footballing prowess.
“That was good fun,” said the Swede, who also plays in the Dubai Desert Classic next week.
“I probably overachieved on the football part. I got a 50 on my first kick, but I guess the golf part was a little bit tougher.”
“It took a little time to get used to the club and I never got used to it. Luckily the boys came good at the end.”
The star-studded shootout also doubled as the launch of United Through Golf, a programme initiated by Doha Golf Club to promote the sport and its core values in the local community.
Stenson believes what he’s seen in the Family Zone could prove a winning attraction this week and in the future.
“It’s a good, fun way to try playing golf, especially for kids and because you can have a relaxed little competition with your friends as well,” said the world No3.
“It’s a nice initiative, a fun way to do it and it’s absolutely the right way to get kids to start playing. Hopefully that will attract a few more youngsters to our game.”
Strachan, the current Scotland manager, said the shootout brought back memories of his own penalty-taking days during a career that included 50 caps for Scotland and starring roles for Manchester United and Leeds United.
“The golfers can handle the pressure and that’s why they’re at the top of their game,” said the 56-year-old former winger.
“They’re Ryder Cup players and when it comes to pressure, that’s nothing to them.”
Andy McCormick of United Through Golf was delighted to have six world-famous sportsmen help launch the initiative.
“I was really delighted with it,” said McCormick.
“One of the great things about it was that the format, presenting golf in a really fun way, meant that everyone could enjoy it, all the way up to the world’s best players.”
Stenson, Garcia and Kaymer are among a galaxy of stars competing in this week’s Qatar Masters.
All three will be hoping for success while out in the Middle East, Garcia in particular will be keen to emulate the success of fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal – who won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week.
Other big names descending on Qatar include four-time major champion Ernie Els, 2013 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner and former World No. 1 Luke Donald.
The 2014 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters starts Wednesday January 22 and culminates Saturday 25.
