Hosted by Captain Spence Hawthorn the four ball Texas Scramble format competition attracted 18 teams that fought it out for one of the society’s major awards of the year.
The scoring was so close that only 3 shots separated the top 5 teams, with countbacks being required to separate second to fifth places.
The availability of mulligans (second chance shots) that players could purchase, combined with a golf course that is in perfect playing condition, clearly had a significant effect as a record number of teams broke par score of 72 on this challenging parkland course.
Some teams, however, really took advantage of the opportunities that they created; with all of the top 5 teams recording a minimum of 6 birdies each.
The title of Captain’s Day champions went to Duncan Smith, Rob Stacey, Bennie Burger and Sigurd Anderson as their handicap edged out Hawthorn’s team by 1 shot, winning with a net score of 17 under par (55) 1 stroke less on the back 9. They were in jubilant mood as they received their trophies from Hawthorn at the family part of the event later in the day.
In second place were Hawthorn, Gary Richardson, John Spitz and Will Appleby, who recorded a net score of 16 under 56.
In third place also with a score of 16-under 56 were Paul Dart, Declan White, Liz Kennedy and Jonathan Corrigan, only losing out second place on a countback.
The quartet of Julian Bennett, Per Anders Nilsson, Eddie Lee and Shirley Denis took fourth place on 58.
Fifth went to Patrick Kennedy, Paul Jardine, Syed Shafiq and Orazio Moretti, who also shot a 58 but were also prevented from finishing higher on countback.
Ladies longest drive was won by Lois Barker, with George MacKay claiming the men’s title.
The nearest the pin competitions were won by Ed Bulkeley, Sigurd Anderson, Ruby Klawakowski, Peter Butterworth, Shirley Denis & Duncan Smith.
The team of George MacKay won the longest putt competition and each member received a goody bag courtesy of sponsors UPS.
Craig Gordon won the straightest drive competition.
The tournament organized by Hawthorn and his team also saw a range of family activities take place during the day.
After the golf event was completed buses arrived at the course carrying over 60 family members.
The afternoon saw children’s activities take place for putting, golf lessons, football, horse riding, bouncy castle, face painting & kids entertainment.
Each of the children then received gifts from Hawthorn at a family lunch, which was catered for by the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.
Dirab Golf and Country Club, UPS, Nasair, Almarai and the Sheraton sponsored the tournament. The RGBB golf society would like to thank everyone for helping make the event another huge success.
For details about joining the RGBB golf society please send an e-mail at [email protected].
