Dubai: The Pepsi-2 team, led by young Rayhan Thomas, rode on great team work to chalk up an exciting victory in the Pepsi Junior Am.
The event was organised by the Emirates Golf Federation to honour the junior players for their achievements during the season, at the Els Golf Club in Dubai.
Undeterred by searing heat, the Pepsi-2 team, which also comprised Steve Hubner (professional) and three amateurs (Tariq Al Sakkar, Amr Farghal and Laurie Boyd), carded a sizzling net 54 to narrowly beat their nearest rivals Emirates Golf Federation (net 54.3) on a day when almost all the teams returned some excellent scores.
Spearheaded by junior Amelia McKee, the EGF team consisted of Mark Chapleski (professional), Saeed Al Budoor, Abdullah Al Musharrakh and Larry Coleman.
With just two points separating the top four, the season-ending tournament produced an intense battle in the sun.
Finishing a creditable third on a net 55.5 was the Jay Bhalla-led team of Emirates NBD while Daniel Hendry, the winner of this season's Junior Order of Merit title, guided his Pepsi-1 team to a fourth-place finish with a net score of 56.1.
Nigel Benstead, Vice-President and Chief International Compliance Officer, Pepsi Co, presented the prizes in the company of Saeed Al Budoor, general manager of the Emirates Golf Federation.
Benstead congratulated the winners and promised to continue his support to the event which has come a popular fixture on the domestic circuit.
Saeed Albudoor lauded the players for braving the heat and contributing to the success of the tournament.
"We couldn't have asked for a better finale to our season. The scores amply reflect on the intensity of the competition," Al Budoor said.
"We, at the Emirates Golf Federation, will try and create more playing opportunities especially for juniors in the next season. We have some of the best courses in the world and golf is flourishing. We need to keep the momentum going," he added.
Special prizes were also presented to Shloka Desai, the most improved junior, and Daniel Hendry, the Junior Player of the Year.
The EGF thanked Dubai Golf, Pepsi, Dubai Duty Free, Byrne Equipment Rental, Al Naboodah, Emirates NBD as well as UAE golf clubs for their support to the Junior Development Programmes.
Results
1. Pepsi-2 (net 54) -- Rayhan Thomas (Jr), Steve Hubner (pro), Tariq Al Sakkar, Amr Farghal, Laurie Boyd
2. EGF (net 54.3) -- Amelia McKee (Jr), Mark Chapleski (pro), Saeed Albudoor, Abdulla Al Musharrekh, Larry Coleman
3. Emirates NBD (net 55.5) -- Jay Bhalla (Jr), Alistair Brown (pro), Jalal Abbasi, Mousa Al Jenahi., Mr. Fatih
4. Pepsi 1 (net 56.1) -- Daniel Hendry (Jr), Jamie Wood (pro), Andy Nichol, Arnold Veraart, Charles Blincow
Other prizes: Longest Drive: Rayhan Thomas (Jr), Alisdair Danson-Webster (Pro), Michaela Hlouskova (amateur)
Nearest to the Pin: Tom Green (Jr), Steve Hubner (pro), Mike Siddaway (amateur).
Most improved Junior: Shloka Desai
Junior of the Year: Daniel Hendry
