Four time and defending champion Michael Harradine (SGSC) won his fifth National Paints Men’s Open Golf Championship at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club after beating top amateur Ryan Hunter in a play-off.
The two players were tied for the first place after regulation 36 holes at twoover par. Harradine survived some anxious moments.
He made birdies on the 15th and 16th holes on day two to move two ahead of Hunter and three from Barry Cotter, but fell back with bogeys on the 17th and 18th.
In the play-off, both players hit their approaches in the back rough. Hunter failed to get his up and down, while Harradine had no such troubles.
Cotter, of SGSC, played some great golf to finish tied third at fourover along with Simon Dunn, a playing professional for Al Hamra.
Low scores mark Big Brands medal at Faldo course
Perhaps inspired by the recent hosting of the Dubai Ladies Masters, there was some great scoring in the Big Brands December Medal held on the Faldo course of Emirates Golf Club.
In the Gold A Division (handicap 0-14) Rekha Bandopadhyay was the winner with a net score of two-under par 70 with Ashley Anderson second on one-under par 71. Mimi Hosking claimed the prize for best gross after signing for an 83.
Sue Hopwood was the runaway winner in the Silver B Division (handicap 15-23) with the round of her lifetime, a phenomenal nineunder par net 62. Sandra Chia was second with a score of 69. Ninu Smith was the winner of the Bronze Division (handicap 24- 42) with a net 78.
Lehmkuhl simply uncatchable in Etihad Open
The popular Etihad Open Stableford was back at Yas Links with the first, second and third place winners receiving fantastic prizes of 25,000, 15,000 and 10,000 air miles respectively.
Aart Lehmkuhl was a runaway winner in the Division A category (handicap 0-14) as he finished with an incredible 46 points, thanks to a gross score of 69.
Barry Cahill (41) and Moon Won (40) were second and third. The Division B category (15+ handicap) was a much tighter competition.
Ghassan Zoabi secured the top spot with 37 points, while Ying Hoong Fun was second with 36 points. Wong Ming Shiang was third with 35 points. The next Etihad Open Stableford will be played on January 15.
