GOLF – GOLF enthusiasts from Bahrain and Oman came together for a good cause yesterday in a charity stableford match play competition at The Royal Golf Club (RGC).
A total of 72 players – 36 each from both nations – took to the fairways in the event, which was organised by Muscat-based Milly’s Golf Society in co-operation with a number of golf societies at the RGC.
The Bahrain contingent emerged victorious at the end of play, narrowly beating the visitors by a single point, 9.5-8.5.
Kelly True and Kelly Lang from Oman finished in first place overall amongst the pairings with 53 stableford points. Ally Rose and Sanne Smith from Bahrain were second with 51 points, while Daniel Reid and Will DuBose from Oman finished third overall, also on 51 points.
Milly’s Golf Society founder Lance Scott was delighted to hold the charity event in Bahrain for the first time, and is hoping to make it an annual tournament.
“Milly’s Golf Society was formed in 2017, the name comes from my daughter, who was born with Down syndrome, and she has a keen interest in golf,” Scott told the GDN.
“It inspired my passion for the game and for the social side of things – we’ve had very good numbers as we host regular tournaments in Oman. Through my association here, we put our heads together and got a team over.
“It was a pleasure to play here today – it was fantastic. The course here is a credit to everybody involved in maintaining the place. It is a fantastic facility and we love it here. We really enjoyed the day.
“We are hoping to make this an annual event – maybe the Bahrain team can come to Oman and then the Oman team come over here.”
Bahrain-based golfer Sean Norris, who was a key figure in organising the competition in the kingdom, expressed his full support in further building on yesterday’s success.
“I got invited to a Milly’s game in Oman and fell in love with it,” said Norris of how the idea came about of holding a tournament in Bahrain. “Lance said let’s get an Oman team here and we’ve been organising it hard over the last couple of weeks.
“I’ve met lovely Milly a number of times and what the group does for her and with other charity and fundraising events is just fantastic.
“We want to make this a reciprocal arrangement with a nice big trophy to be played for as an annual event.
“Today was the first time we’ve run it, but I’ll tell you something, it’s not going to be the last!”
Following play, the day’s winners were presented their awards by Scott and Norris in a ceremony held at the RGC clubhouse.
A number of participants also came away with prizes from side contests. They included Abdulla Shaker of Bahrain for going Nearest the Pin on hole two, Reid for hitting the Straightest (Longest) Drive on hole four, Ronnie Ray of Bahrain for going Nearest the Pin on hole seven, Zander Potgeiter of Oman for going Nearest the Pin in Two on hole 10, Tommy Marsland of Oman for going Nearest the Pin on hole 12, Criag Convey of Bahrain for going Nearest the Pin on hole 16, and Greg Parrish of Oman for sinking the Longest Putt on hole 18.
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