UAE golf round-up: Golfers turn out at Els Club to support J9 Foundation

Joy Chakravarty 05:20 25/06/2014
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  • Remembering Joost van der Westhuizen: A player tees off at Els Club.

    Golfers got together for a fantas­tic cause at The Els Club at Dubai Sports City recently with a golf day to support the South Africa rugby union legend Joost van der West­huizen’s J9 Foundation.

    The day, staged by the Woestyn Boere Hackers Golf Society at the 18-hole championship golf course designed by van der Westhuizen’s fellow South African Ernie Els, was part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness of and aid those suffer­ing with Motor Neuron Disease, the same illness that afflicts the 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup winner.

    The tournament was won by Charles Arnestad, with a remark­able score of 41 stableford points, which included two net eagles and five net birdies.

    Brandon Meyers and Douglas Heyes were tied for second place with 38 points, and after count­back, Meyers’ 22 points on the back nine won him the runners-up place ahead of Heyes.

    The Woestyn Boere Hackers run their own Stableford Series League, and league manager Duayne Baron de Waal explained the rationale be­hind the day.

    “Our society has committed to support the J9 Foundation and its Middle East office in raising aware­ness of and providing a quality of life to those who suffer from Motor Neuron Disease (MND),” he said.

    “The league is played throughout the year and every month we are out there supporting the cause and recruiting new members for the fight against MND.

    “Our latest event at The Els Club was a terrific success and we would like to thank both the club and also the many corporate sponsors who were involved for their support”

    The 43 year-old van der West­huizen, who won 89 caps for his country and was twice a Currie Cup champion with the Blue Bulls in 1998 and 2002 in addition to his World Cup success, was diagnosed with the condition in 2011.

    Just over three years later, the man who captained his country at the 1999 Rugby World Cup can no longer walk or feed himself as he endures an illness that is incurable and almost always fatal.

    The event, supported by both The Els Club at Dubai Sports City and the club’s sister course in South Af­rica, The Els Club Copperleaf, also enjoyed significant corporate back­ing, as a host of companies lined up to provide prizes and resources.

    IN BRIEF

    Brilliant Thomas falls short of young Abdul Aziz

    More than 100 players braved the searing heat and turned up for the third edition of the Titleist Red Hot Open at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club recently.

    The event provides a different challenge for the players as it's played from the forward red tees, and it was two superb performances that stood out – by Abdul Aziz Al Hakim and 14-year-old junior member Rayhan Thomas.

    Both played extremely well and finished tied with a total of 43 stableford points. Thomas was without fault on the day as he fired a superb eightunder par 63, not dropping a single shot.

    However, it was Al Hakim’s faultless back nine of 24 points that earned him the title on a countback over Thomas.

    Mohammed Al Musharrekh was another top performer on the day and his total of 40 stableford points saw him take top honours in the Men’s Division.Warren Panting and Chris Alderman finished tied just one shot behind Al Musharrekh on 39 points.

    The 2014 Dubai Creek Ladies Club Champion, Henna Jodha, added another victory to her name as she took the Ladies Division title with a solid 32 points. Past Dubai Creek Lady Captain Maureen Platt was the division’s runner-up with 31 points

    Consistent Kendall wins Renovation Challenge

    John Kendall conquered the Renovation Challenge, carding 38 points over the recently renovated Championship Course at Al Hamra Golf Club.

    With tough Powerplay flags located on all par 3s, John managed 20 points on his outward nine, including five net birdie holes.

    He faltered a little on the back nine, failing to pick up points through 14 and 15, although he did still manage a further four net birdies on his way to a total of 38 points.

    Just one point behind was John Feenie, who produced one of his best rounds to date with 37 points. After an opening nine of 20, John’s only slip up came at the tough ninth, where an eight meant he failed to score any points.

    Tim Wade, on 36 points, was third.

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