In a format where team effort is key the UK pair of Steve Thompson and Ian Kirk blended well with each other and romped to a three-stroke victory in the 1st Hyundai Golf Tournament 2015 last Friday at Nofa Golf Resort.

Thompson and Kirk combined for a net score of 63, 10 under on the 6,920 rolling layout inside the Nofa Resorts complex, to win the season-opening two ball Texas Scramble format competition that attracted 46 teams and 92 players.

Three strokes back in second place were Richard Dunn and Bob Bruford, who also played off 7 handicap like the winning pair and shot 66 from gross score of 73.

Finishing in third place after the countback was the team of Paul Siffre and Derek Oherely who tied with John Morris and Michael Slater on 67. Siffre-Oherely had a team handicap of 3 while Morris and Slater carried 10.

Kevin Hanlon and Faran Irfan, with a 5 handicap, took the fifth position on 68.

To Siffre went the longest drive award on No. 7, while the closest to pin plums on Nos. 6 and 12 were won by Chris Edwards and Thompson.

Enjoying local knowledge of the golf course as both are members of Nofa Golf Resort, Thompson and Kirk found the fairways with their crisp drives as the particularly difficult conditions with a stiff breeze blowing bedeviled the players.

Thompson and Kirk mixed seven birdies and four bogeys in their steady round of 70 (35-35).

Kirk said “Nofa Golf Resort is one of the finest courses in the Kingdom and I and Steve are looking forward to future competitions which will be held there.”

With the victory Thompson and Kirk each received a prize of Taylormade irons set in addition to their trophies courtesy of sponsor Hyundai Wallan Company. Dunn and Druford took home the second prize of Taylormade R-1 driver, Siffre ad Oherely each received Mizuno Aerolite cart bag, Morris and Slater got Commander Cart bags and Hanlon and Irfan won Taylormade whitesmoke putters. Also, golf merchandise were raffled off including a set of Taylormade irons, Ping travel cover and Commander cart bag.

Hyundai Wallan top management led by Vice President Abdulaziz Wallan attended the awards ceremony. Also present were Treasurer Sultan Wallan, Vice President Hilary Allison, who thanked Nofa for the opportunity to sponsor the tournament, Marketing Director Faisal Sami and Marketing and PR Manager Aala abo Merhi.

For his part, Nofa Resorts GM Eamonn Hanlon thanked the tournament sponsor Hyundai Wallan Co. and Nofa for their contribution to making Nofa’s first golf tournament in 2015 a big success.