20 April 2012

 The anticipation grew throughout the afternoon during the action filled final of the SAIF Zone Golf Society League supported by SNTTA, BMW and WWG. Last year’s runners Up, Dubai ExPutts 1 held their own when it looked like Mott MacDonald B could threaten to take the trophy.
 

In the first match Dubai ExPutts 1’s Phil Sharpe (11) and Mark Cunningham (10) went 1up on the 1st hole after a Sharpe birdie, but Mott MacDonald B won the 2nd after Ian Plant (5) made a great long putt for par. ExPutts 1 went 1UP on the 5th when Cunningham made a nett birdie after a great up-and-down.  They progressed to 2UP on the 8th after Sharpe made a 20ft putt for birdie.  After several halved holes and some great golf by both teams ExPutts made it 3UP on 13, thanks to Cunningham’s 20ft putt for gross birdie.  Not giving up, a nett birdie for Westley Burke (15) won Mott MacDonald B the 14th  hole, to reduce the margin back to 2.  Despite a fantastic chip-in from Plant on 15 for par,  Cunningham recorded a gross birdie on the same hole to go 3UP. Sharpe’s par on 16 gave Dubai ExPutts 1 a 3&2 win. In the second match Marc Edwards (10) and Greg Donaghy (9) of ExPutts 1 beat Rory Thomson (12) and Rob Russell (17) of Mott MacDonald B, just 1UP.
 

At the presentation dinner Phil Sharpe thanked all of the sponsors and organizers in his acceptance speech. He added that, “the best and over-riding factor of the day was the great spirit in which the final was played. The Motts lads played some excellent golf, fighting all the way to the end and running the final very close.  They were great company on the course, and some great laughs were had, irrespective of who was winning or losing.” He added that Dubai ExPutts are very pleased to have won the competition after coming so close last year and credited the whole team for coming through a tough group stage and some tense knock-out matches to finally win the title.
 

Claire Badger, Golf Business Development & Sales Manager commented that it was great to invite the Captains of all the societies & the Sponsors for a complimentary season ending golf day. Vivek George, from SNTTA said that they were very pleased to be associated with the tournament and were looking forward to continuing their sponsorship with SGSC. The 4th edition of the SAIF Zone Golf Society League will start from October 2012.
 

Pictures below of the Winners and runners up  with the sponsors, Vivek George from SNTTA (left) and Chris Turlik (right)from WorldWideGolf