The 6th of November saw the annual Harradine Cup take centre stage at Al Hamra Golf Club in the finest golfing weather of the new season so far. An early morning fog caused a 30 minute delay to the 7:30am scheduled start but once cleared left a slightly overcast sky that cleared to leave glorious sun shine and still conditions. The tournament once again was sponsored and supported by Dubai based golf course architect Peter Harradine and his Harradine Golf and Orient Irrigation companies.
The last two Harradine Cup’s have been won by one of Peter Harradine’s own associate course architects, however, that was all to change. This year’s format was changed to individual stableford from the previous years’ bogey format. The strong field of 74 competed for 5 overall prizes and two nearest the pin special events. Overall the scores returned were excellent as over half the field arrived back at the clubhouse with in excess of 30 stableford points. Fifth place on the day was resolved on a count back between Keith Martine, Michael Harradine Peter’s son and Madhav Nair on 37 points. Despite Harradine shooting a fine 75, the lowest gross of the day both himself and Martine were pipped by Nair who’s 14 points over the last 6 holes secured him 5th place.
Second, third and fourth place were also decided on a count back over the last 9 holes after Al Hamra member Cindy Rials, Yuki Matsuura and Sunny Ramadas all returned the excellent score of 38 points. Claiming 4th place was Matsuura as he finished with 16 points on the inward back nine after a very impressive start to his round on the front nine. Third place was awarded to Cindy Rials who has become a regular visitor to the winner’s podium in recent competitions following a back nine point’s tally of 20 stableford points, which left Sunny Ramadas to walk away with second place. Despite a shaky front nine where for a period of 6 holes Ramadas only scored 4 points he had a ripping back nine which amassed him 25 points and started with two gross birdies at Al Hamra’s very own version of Amen Corner, and finished with a glorious birdie at the final and signature par 5 18th hole.
The overall winner and Harradine Cup champion, Sarah De Roose, claimed her award and the accolades in style as she beat the rest of the field by a clear 7 points. De Roose followed on from her victory in the previous evening’s floodlit challenge in glittering style as she reeled off nines of 20 points on the front and 25 on back. The highlights of her round were 6 gross pars and 7 bogeys, and despite finishing on 45 points she still managed a no score at the par 3 7th hole. De Roose who started the day on off a 28 handicap found herself cut to 22 by the end off it but in this sort of scintillating form golfers in the next couple of events better watch out.
Upon claiming the Harradine Cup De Roose said: “The course was in great condition out there today and fortunately I managed to play some good golf as everything I hit seemed to come off. My thanks must go to my playing partners who kept me going towards the end and to the sponsors for today’s event whose contributions have made it a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting day.”
“Al Hamra Golf Club is exceptionally proud of its relationship with Harradine Golf and Orient Irrigation who have once again sponsored and supported this flagship tournament and we extend our special thanks to Peter Harradine for his continued involvement,” said Alasdair Danson-Webster. “We were extremely pleased with the turn-out of 74 for today’s tournament and also to welcome four Harradine Golf Representatives’ to take part as this is a very exciting event and definitely one to pin point each year in the calendar. Congratulations must go to Sarah De Roose for such a splendid round of golf.”
Special Event Winners:
The golf course was full of special shots during the day but two could not have finished any closer to the holes bar not going in than the two that claimed the nearest the pin awards.
Nearest to the Pin (7th Hole) – It was Sam Brooks who walked away with a new Callaway Strike bag after he floated in a delightful 7 iron shot to the par 3 7th green that hugged the flagstick all the way on and upon contact with the turf spun back to 2 feet. Brooks coolly rolled in for his birdie 2 and after the game described his tee shot as “the best shot he had hit all day.”
Nearest to the Pin (15th Hole) – saw well travelled competitor Mike Harris who had made his way up from the Sultan of Oman to take part in the tournament carry away a new Callaway stand bag. His exquisite tee shot came to rest merely inches behind the cup at the treacherous 15th hole just missing going in by a cat’s whisker.
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