RIYADH: Paul Bateman played solid golf on Saturday to win the Division A (0-16 handicap) title at the Almarai Golf Tournament, the first to be held at Nofa Golf Resort in 2017.
Bateman, with a 14 handicap, shot a net score of 69 in benign conditions, as he outstripped everyone else at the end of the 18-hole individual stroke play event.
Batemen dropped just two shots coming home on 38 for a gross score of 83. He tallied 45 in a rollercoaster front nine that saw him shoot an eagle three on the first hole only to go double-bogey, bogey, double-bogey and bogey over the next four holes. He closed with a pair of bogeys while unable to buy a par until the 13th that followed his second birdie of the day. Bateman only had one bogey, on 16, the rest of the way.
Mattias Ardfelt clinched Division A second place on 73 (82-9) with Russell Hardgrove in third place on 75 (82-7) and Willie Querida in fourth position on 76 (90-14).
Winning the Division B (17-28) crown was Ian McLure in countback over two other players. McLure had a 71, from a gross score of 90 and 19 handicap, the same net score posted by Billy Jordan and Paul Wilks who finished second and third respectively. Jordan had 93 and 22 and Wilks 91-20. Azman Mokhtar took the fourth position on 74 (98-24).
The event attracted 100 participants who all enjoyed a day out on the course with the weather cooperating, becoming pleasant as the round went on.
Malcom Jordan, CEO of IPNC, Almarai, thanked all participants during the prize distribution ceremony. Abdurahman Al Mazyad, event manager, Almarai, received a plaque of appreciation from Nofa Resorts GM Eamonn Hanlon.
The first prizes in both divisions are Ping G drivers, second prizes Puma cart bags, third prizes Taylormade metalwoods and fourth prizes Cleveland putters.
Participants each received a goody bag with a Greg Norman polo shirt and cap, a sleeve of Titleist balls, and hat clip with ball marker.
Nofa Golf Resort Manager Nishad Muhammed Kunju thanked the players and the tournament sponsor Almarai Company for their support to Nofa Golf Resort. Upcoming events are the February Monthly Medal sponsored by ALFALWA on Feb. 25 and the Hyundai Golf Tournament and Castrol Golf Tournament to be scheduled in March and April.
Bateman, Ardfelt rule Almarai Golf Tournament 2017 at Nofa
Bateman, Ardfelt rule Almarai Golf Tournament 2017 at Nofa
Desert Vipers hold nerve to edge Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 thriller
- Key contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Khuzaima Tanveer prove decisive as the Vipers weather tense finish to overhaul target of 171
- Knight Riders start well, reaching 87 in 10 overs, but momentum shifts in second half of their inning as the Vipers’ spinners struck back
SHARJAH: Desert Vipers made it two wins out of two in the DP World International League T20, as they held their nerve to secure a dramatic two-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Shimron Hetmyer’s counterattacking 48 off 25 balls, and a late-order cameo from Khuzaima Tanveer, who hit 31 off just 12 deliveries, proved decisive as the Vipers weathered a tense finish to overhaul a target of 171.
Sent in to bat, the Knight Riders made a confident start through Phil Salt and Alex Hales, with the latter anchoring the inning to top-score with 53 off 37 balls.
Despite reaching 87 in 10 overs, however, the momentum shifted in the second half of the inning as the Vipers’ spinners began to strike regularly. Qais Ahmad and Noor Ahmad led the middle-overs fightback, dismissing Hales and triggering a collapse as the Knight Riders lost five wickets.
Andre Russell’s unbeaten 36, and useful contributions from Alishan Sharafu and Unmukt Chand, at least helped Abu Dhabi reach a competitive total, but they were unable to fully capitalize on the side’s strong opening.
The Vipers began explosively in reply, smashing a tournament-record 19 runs from the first over. However, early wickets then left them wobbling on 44/3. Sam Curran and Dan Lawrence rebuilt the attack before the latter combined with Hetmyer for a crucial 68-run stand that swung the contest back in the their favor.
Late strikes from Ajay Kumar and Russell, the latter dismissing Hetmyer for his 500th T20 wicket, set up a tense finish, but Tanveer delivered under pressure. Needing eight runs off the final over, he sealed victory with a six and a boundary.
“It was, in many ways, a fortunate escape but an outstanding result for us,” said Curran, the Vipers’ stand-in captain.
“ADKR possess a very powerful batting lineup, and I believe our bowlers performed exceptionally well throughout the innings. The dismissals of Hetmyer and Dan introduced an unexpected twist but the team showed commendable composure in the crucial moments.”
Knight Riders’ stand-in skipper Sunil Narine felt his side had been lacking with the bat: “We were 15-20 runs short. We began well in the powerplay and that phase was crucial for us.
“The conditions eventually worked in their favor and the dew made it challenging for our spinners. But at the end of the day that’s part of the game.”
The result leaves the Vipers well placed at this early stage of the tournament, while the Knight Riders were left to reflect on missed opportunities after such a strong start.
