BEN WEBSTER THE DESERT CHAMPION.
Ben Webster played fantastic golf on the last day not only to win on the day but to also win the overall by 2 shots. At the start of the day he was 10 points behind the leader Andrew Savva. Ben Webster’s score of 68 gross, 4 under par is the best since the Cypriot Golf Society was formed in 1990. The venue of this great feat was none other than at the famous Abu Dhabi National Golf Club where only a few weeks ago Tiger Woods and the European Golf tour played one of the major championships. Ben’s score included 12 pars, 1 boggy and 5 birdies. Amazing score. This was Ben’s best score for 8 years. He told me that the best part of his game were his iron shots and his putting. Our warmest congratulations to Ben Webster and to all the winners of the day events. Congratulations also to the Captain, Michael Tsangarides and his holiday committee for organising such a wonderful trip.
The Golfing Holiday to Abu Dhabi was sponsored by KJ Pittalis LLP, accountants and auditors 90-92 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9EB. Tel. 020 8444 0470.
It all began on Friday 16th March when 40 members of the Cypriot Golf Society arrived at Heathrow airport to take the overnight flight to Abu Dhabi. Arrived Saturday morning, sunny and warm, 25 -30 deg.C. Spent day relaxing at the beach before the competitions began on Sunday. In the evening we all had dinner together with the Captain Michael Tsangarides making a small speech, thanking the members for their support and talking about the 3 wonderful golf courses that we will be playing during the week. He was confident that we will all approve of his choice. He then presented each player with a polo shirt donated by the sponsors.
Sunday 18th March, the KJ Pittalis LLP Muchachos- Texas Scramble.
Playing the Abu Dhabi National Golf Club. The Texas Scramble is a team competition and is a nice way of experiencing conditions before the singles events.
The winning team with 47 points: Tony Philippou, Chris Kalli, James Birri and Agis Neophytou.
Runners up, with 45 points: Vange Evangelou, Savvas Savva, Steve Webster and Ben Webster.
Monday 19th March, the KJ Pittalis LLP Players Championship at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
First day of the singles. All the players are enthusiastic and confident. At the end of the day a lot of them will come away disappointed and disillusioned with the way they played. You can’t win a four day tournament on the first day but you can lose it if played very badly.
Andreas Stylianou the winner with 33 points.
Kikis Kallis, runner up, 33
Andrew Savva, third, 32.
Tuesday 20th March the KJ Pittalis LLP Invitational at Yas Island Links Golf Club.
Everybody fell in love with the golf course, it was fantastic especially the greens which were very fast. Everyone agreed it was the best golf course we played on.
The winner was Andrew Savva with 32 points
Michael Tsangarides(captain) runner up, 32
Andy Lanitis, third, 30.
Wednesday 21st March, the KJ Pittalis Amigos at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Away from the pressures of the singles events the fourball competition is more relaxed and more fun.
The winners Andrew Savva and George (Varv) Georgiou with 47 points
Runners Up, Tommay Thomas and Dinos Capsalis, 42
Third, Michael Tsangarides (captain) and Peter Sandamas, 41
Thursday 22nd March, the KJ Pittalis Memorial at Yas Island Links Golf Club.
This 3rd day of the singles is very important for the leading groups as their standing of play on the last day depends on their scores today.
George Varv Georgiou the winner with 33 points
James Birri, runner up, 31
Ben Webster, 3rd 31.
Friday 23rd March, the KJ Pittalis Masters at the Abu Dhabi National Golf Club.
In a few hours the winner will be presented with his well deserved trophy. In contention are the last two groups, eight players. The other 32 players have no chance for the overall, they are playing for the day event. The last group going out Andrew Savva, George Varv Georgiou, Michael Tsangarides and Takis Kleanthous. George was playing fantastic golf and by the half way stage had overtaken Andrew Savva to be the leader of the group. No one in the group had any inclination of the drama going on in the group in front of them, with Ben Webster taking the course apart with his amazing golf play. Andrew Savva was finding every bunker on the course or was hitting his approach shots long or short. The Captain tried his best scoring 35 points. All the members gather round the 18th green to see the last group which makes it very exciting usually and so it was on this occasion as well. George Varvaros Georgiou had scored a magnificent 38 points and was sure he won it. His disappointment showed on his face when told of Ben Webster’s 43 points. On another day George will have won.
Ben Webster the winner with 43 points
George Varv Georgiou, runner up, 38
Tony Philippou, third, 36.
The overall positions after the four days of singles events are:
BEN WEBSTER THE WINNER WITH 126 POINTS
George Varv Georgiou, runner up, 124
Michael Tsangarides (captain), third, 122
Andrew Savva, fourth, 122
Savvas Savva, fifth, 117
Andrew Lanitis, sixth, 116.
On the way back to London the Captain, Michael Tsangarides wrote this report:
< Looking for Heart in the Desert Swing
The forty members of the Cypriot Golf Society flew into Abu Dhabi determined and confident that their skills would be enough to take home the solid silver trophy that was on offer from the sponsor KJ Pittalis & Co LLP.
In the event there was to be a surprise winner who came from 10 shots behind on the last day to snatch victory by 2 shots from the leaders that were battling each other in a contest of high quality and excitement.
Ben Webster playing off three handicap shot a gross 68, (4 under par) on the Championship course at the Abu Dhabi National Golf Club that recently featured Tiger Woods etc. This was perhaps the most impressive performance in terms of pure golfing genius that has ever occurred to win during a final round of the holiday.
To finish with the winner only tells half the story of the heroics that were on display throughout the week during which three top quality courses were featured to test the skills and resolve of those participants that were confident of their chances of ultimate victory.
Yaz Links and the sand covered Saadayat Island courses both bared their razor sharp teeth to severely dent any hope of mastery for the majority of hapless combatants who had never seen, never mind played on the slick greens that were 12 on the stimpmetre.
The results at the end were a victory for experience, determination and patience as well as classic shot making and a strong nerve but the real victory was the spirit shown amongst the members of the Cypriot golf society who laughed, cried and shared a truly fantastic experience that forged deep relationships even closer together.>
The first event of the season, the Liveras Foundation Trophy will be held on Thursday 19th April at Brocket Hall Golf Club.
The Free Golf Lessons from the Cypriot Golf Society to youngsters from our community will start in Mid May at South Herts Golf Club, Totteridge Lane N20. Boys and girls aged 8/14 which want to learn to play the wonderful game of golf are welcome. There are only 12 places on a first come first basis.
For more information about the Cypriot Golf Society, membership, competitions or the free golf lessons contact Peter Sandamas on 020 8365 8505 or by email: info@cypriotgolfsociety.com or visit the website at www.cypriotgolfsociety.com
