Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: In honour of His Highness Sayyid Kais bin Tariq Al Said, Ghala Golf Club made history last weekend, holding the largest single stableford tournament ever seen in Oman. The event saw 165 players from Europe, Asia and Africa take to the green with flare, representing the sporting passion inspired by late HH Kais Al Said, affectionately known as the ‘Godfather of Golf’.
Under the patronage of HH Sayyid Taimur bin Assad Al Said, the event further saw the celebratory attendance of HH Sayyid Al Rawy bin Kais Al Said and HH Sayyid Azaan bin Kais Al Said. Representing regions from across Oman, golfers aged between 15 and 76 fired up the fairway as they teed-off with multiple shotgun starts.
Hailing with a delightful score of 41, Sanjoli Singh not only emerged victorious as overall winner of 2016, but also became the first women to have won the competition.
"The turnout, the atmosphere, the enthusiam and performance of players at this tournament were an exemplary display of how much key contributors - such as His Highness Kais Al Said - have done for the game of golf in Oman. Being able to host golfers from so far afield in our celebration was truly an honour, and exactly what we wanted to achieve,” said Ahmed Al Farsi, Operations Manager at Ghala Golf Club.
A presentation ceremony was held at the club after the event, featuring a speech by Club captain Salim Al Harthy, in addition to a number of catergory-based awards. Just one point behind overall winner Singh was Massoud Al Barwani, who hit an even 40 to come top of the men’s division. He was followed by Paresh Sahai and Barath Gopal in second and third place respectively. In the Ladies Division, Minke Gijiselman and Helen Robinson won the second and third places respectively.
Youngster Fahad Al Kitani proved worthy of recognition at the event in an admirable display of golfing prowess, featured alongside other spectacular performances from local youth, demonstrating Oman’s growing talents in the sport. A further and final award went to Puli Sharma, who skillfully concluded the event with the best gross score.
The tournament sought to bring the golfing community, its spectators and other parties together in celebration of what Oman has achieved to date as a regional flagship destination for the game of golf.
