GOLF – BAHRAIN bagged an impressive three medals, including one gold, in the 15th World Military Golf Championship, which came to a close yesterday at Elephant Hills Golf Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
After 72 holes of play held over four days, Bahraini Sultan Mubarak captured the title in the seniors’ category, where he led countryman Nasser Yaqoob to a sensational one-two for the kingdom. Bahrain then also came away with the bronze medal in the men’s teams event, where they were represented by Khalifa Duaij Alkaabi, Ali Al Kuwari, Hamad Mubarak Al Afnan, and Khalifa Al Muraisi, along with Mubarak and Yaqoob.
That completed their three-medal haul from the competition, organised by the International Military Sports Council (CISM).
On this occasion, the highest congratulations were extended to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, from Bahrain Defence Force commander-in-chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
A total of 14 countries took part in the event. They included Bahrain, men’s teams gold-medallists Germany and silver-medallists Canada; the women’s teams top three of France, hosts Zimbabwe, and Tanzania; and the Netherlands, Spain, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Botswana, Latvia, and Estonia.
In the championship’s seniors’ division, Mubarak captured his gold medal after carding a four-round total of 308. He scored 80 in round one and then a 77 in round two, before closing out the competition in style with totals of 75 and 76 on the last two days, respectively. Yaqoob also had a strong finish. He played a 78 on day one and followed it up with an 81-shot effort. He then had his best outing of 77 in round three before closing with a 79 to finish seven strokes behind Mubarak on 315.
With their scores, the Bahraini pair also ranked in the top 10 on the men’s individual rankings. Mubarak was classified in sixth place overall while Yaqoob finished eighth.
Amongst the kingdom’s other players, Alkaabi ranked 13th with a 320 total (87, 79, 75, 82), Al Kuwari was 27th (328: 83, 73, 88, 84), Al Afnan came 31st (333: 85, 84, 82, 82), and Al Muraisi was 67th, playing just three of the four rounds.
In the men’s teams competition, Bahrain secured third place with a total of 1,245. Germany won gold with a 1,222 total, while Canada came away with the silver medals 14 strokes behind.
Following the completion of play, the winners in each of the championship’s categories were awarded their trophies and medals by CISM officials.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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