MUSCAT: Over 100 players from 12 countries competed in the Junior and Ladies’ Pan Arab Golf Championship, played at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia recently.
Hosted by the Saudi Golf Federation the tournament featured five categories; Ladies, Girls Under-15 and Boys Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18. Each category was contested at both individual and team level from November 28 to 30.
Oman was represented at Under-18 level by Ahmed al Wahaibi, Mahir Sampat and Avi Hamlai, at Under-15 by Pransh Jagwani, and at Under- 13 by Mohib al Kathiri, Yusuf al Rumhy and Taimur al Busaidi.
Against very strong competition, the Oman Under-18 team produced a fine final day to climb into fourth spot in the team standings, with leading player Ahmed al Wahaibi carding a level par final round to finish in fifth position as an individual. Taking top honours by some margin were the team from Morocco, the UAE in second and Egypt finishing in third place just 8 strokes ahead of Oman.
In the Under-13 category, the Oman team went one better claiming third place and the team bronze medal. Played over two rounds the best two scores from the team of three each day made up the team score. Mohib al Kathiri’s scores on both rounds counted and were complimented by Yusuf al Rumhy on day 1 and Taimur al Busaidi on day 2, a great team performance and a fantastic achievement.
In gold position were the Egyptian team with Tunisa claiming silver.
The teams were ably supported by Ahmed al Jhadhamy, General Secretary and Head of Delegation, Ghalib al Busaidi, OGA Board Member, and men’s national team player Azaan al Rumhy offering technical support.
Mundhir al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman Golf Association, commented: “We are delighted with the team’s performances in Saudi Arabia. The Pan Arab competition is a significant step above that of the GCC with some very strong teams. Our Under-13s claiming the bronze medal with such a young team bodes very well for the future. We extend our thanks to all involved in hosting and running the event, and to our sponsors and partners here in Oman along with the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth for their ongoing support.”
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