Sam Billings and his team of Emirates Golf Club members Marcus Wallman, Tony Azoulay and Ashley Anderson combined perfectly to fire a 14-under par tally of 58 and win the Old Mutual International Cricket Invitational over the Faldo course.
As many as 18 teams, comprising members of Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) and Emirates Golf Club members, competed in a Texas Scramble format with each 4-ball joined by a professional cricketer past or present.
England coach Trevor Bayliss, James Jackson, Chris Jones and Euan McIntosh also recording a 14-under par total but finished second after a card countback.
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On a day of low scoring three teams carded rounds of 59, but it was the four ball of captain Walid Al Attar, Anish Malattiri, Rakesh Shah and bowing coach Ottis Gibson who took third place following a better back nine.
England fast bowler Chris Woakes clinched the longest drive on the 16th.
Among the England ODI squad who took part in the event were Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Billings, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Jason Roy, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Trevor Bayliss, Paul Collingwood, Phil Neale, Ottis Gibson and Charles Dagnall.
Tuoma and Summerson prove a perfect pairing
Sharjah Wanderers Golf Club, the only golf club in UAE that is still run by its members, and with possibly the smallest membership in the country, was the venue for the latest qualifying tournament for the Daman Investments International Pairs.
Club Captain Olav Tuoma and playing partner Dave Summerson were outstanding as they scored 42 points on a blustery day to book their place in the UAE final.
Patrick Flower and Doug Cameron combined very well for 41 points but had to be satisfied with the second place, two ahead of Bob Driver and Damian Murphy (39 points).
Spot prizes of the day went to Lady Captain Marion Tennant, who was closest to the pin on the eighth hole, while Driver was nearest to the pin in two on hole seven. The longest drive went to Malcolm Tennant.
The winners will now go forward to the UAE Final on March 10 next year, but not before they are joined by teams from the rest of the season’s qualifying tournaments.
The next qualifier is at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.
