Dubai: Hamad Al Medfa, a winner of the annual Gulf News Merchants Cup Golf Tournament two years ago, will be hoping to reprise his winning exploits when he competes in the landmark 20th edition of the popular event at the Montgomerie Golf Course at Emirates Hills on Thursday.
Al Medfa figures among a field of 72 enthusiastic golfers, many of whom have played in the tournament in previous editions. Among the group, which comprises members of the UAE business community, are seven lady golfers.
The format for the tournament is a Pairs Stableford (3/4 HanAdicap), with the best Stableford score to count on each hole. Men will tee off from the Blue Sapphire tees and ladies from the Red Ruby tees.
The broad range of trophies presented by Gulf News includes those for the top five finishers, a trophy for the Nearest to the Pin and Longest Drive, in addition to several ‘fun’ prizes including the unique ‘Most Golf’ prize.
“We are very excited at hosting this landmark 20th edition of our tournament and the field looks particularly good”, said Rajeev Khanna, commercial director of the Al Nisr Group, who is an enthusiastic golfer himself.
“It will be a pleasure to welcome all our golfing friends once again and we wish them luck with the game today. May the best pair win!” added Khanna, who interestingly won the tournament in 2003 when he teamed up with Amir Hussain.
The popular tournament, first introduced in 1996 as a four-ball team Stableford event, was changed to a two-man betterball format in 2003.
