Heywoods to represent the UAE at World Final in Scotland

Joy Chakravarty 12:11 11/06/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Winning Pair: The Heywoods, alongside Steve Rutter (r) pose with their trophies.

    The husband-wife pairing of Neil and Yvette Heywood will represent the UAE on the world stage after winning the National Final of OnCourse Golf International Pairs at Yas Links.

    It was the perfect wedding anniversary gift for the couple, who made it to the National Final after winning their qualifier at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

    The winners played inspired golf to come home with 43 points on a hot and humid day, with Yvette also winning the individual honours with a personal score of 35 points.

    Accepting the trophy, and their tickets to the World Final at Mar Hall in Scotland in October, Neil was quick to point out that his contribution of eight points was critical to their victory, but praised Yvette for carrying him the rest of the way round.

    There were 17 pairs in contention, and the top three prizes were won by those made up of male and female combinations.

    Representing Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the father-and-daughter combination of Ishwar and Henna Jodha combined superbly to rack up 40 points and take runners-up spot, with Henna also taking the two ladies individual prizes for the longest drive and nearest-the-pin.

    In third place, representing Al Badia Golf Club, were Henrik Carlsson and Jenny Kim, who were one behind the Jodhas with 39 points.

    Heywood said: “Yvette and I are extremely thrilled to be representing the UAE in the World Finals. We had no idea of the magnitude that this tournament represents when we entered the competition qualifier at Saadiyat.

    “Once we won our qualifier and found out that we would be playing in the National Finals, it was only then that we realised that this tournament was a lot different to many others that we have entered since arriving here in the UAE.

    “One piece of advice to all fellow golfers, please look out for the entry form for 2015, as this tournament is not just big, it’s enormous, and it’s definitely worth entering. You can rest assured that we will not be going to Scotland just to make up the numbers, we are going there to win.”

    The men’s individual prizes went to Nathan Fisher, who won the Longest Drive with an almost 400 yard tee shot on the 12th hole, and Richard Mylrea whose tee shot on the par-3 fourth was nearest the pin.

    The prize for Nearest to the Pin in Three shots on the par-5 18th hole was won by Shaun Tilbrook.

    Playing alongside the main event, 10 teams of sponsors and supporters of the tournament contested their own competition with the same format, with OnCourse Golf’s own Steve Rutter and Richard Mylrea taking the honours on a count back ahead of and TaylorMade’s Nathan Fisher and Kris Bell on 36 points.

    Over the season – which began in October, and ended at the final at Yas Links – over 1200 golfers took part, said Rutter, and with new sponsors soon to be announced for next season, he added that virtually every club in the UAE have already signed up for what is expected to be even bigger and better event in 2014-15.

    More glory for Heywoods at Yas Season Finale


    Leading up to their win in the UAE National Final of International Pairs at the same venue, Neil Heywood and Yvette Heywood showed they were in good form as they combined with Hassan Al Suwaidi and Alan Whatling to win the Yas Links End of Season Finale.

    The winners tallied an impressive 115 points and won by one point over the foursome of Alan Sheepwash, Teresa Sheepwash, Bryan Wilson and Asaad Al Muhrami.

    Third place was won by Randy Bradley, Craig Bruce, Mike Bulliman and Bill Farrell, who tallied 109 points.

    The tournament employed the interesting format of 4-3-2, where all four stableford scores counted on par 3s, three best on par 4s and the two best on par 5s.

    The evening finished with the prize presentation and three-course meal at the prestigious Pearls & Caviar – Shangri La.

    Partners give Jones a perfect farewell gift


    The End of Season Scramble produced an excellent turnout of 96 players at the Majlis course, and it was the quartet of Nina Larm, Johnny Aldridge, Stephen Jones and Pentti Tahvanainen that walked away with the top honours with a score of 57.5.

    The fourball was captained admirably by Johnny Aldridge, and it was a fitting send off for Stephen Jones, who will be returning to the USA in the summer.

    They received their prize from club captain Dick Purchase.

    The closest challengers to the champions were Marian Pavy, Peter Pavy, Sandra Chia and David Formas with a 58.6 tally to take runners-up place.

    Micky Brigg, Keith Prosser, Julian Nicholas and Ian Scott were third with 58.7 total. The highlight of the day was Bruno Muller’s hole in one on the par- 3 11th. It was Muller’s first-ever ace.

    Recommended