The Black Tee Challenge at Arabian Ranches on 23rd of April 2021. Another awesome tournament with great turn-up of 68 amateur golfers from around UAE who came together to challenge the course playing of the lengthy back tees in an Individual Strokeplay format over 18 holes. Barry McGettigan (ARGC) returned a two over par gross (74) to take the title by a single shot against the top gunner Sam Mullane (TEC). Barry’s scorecards consisted of an outward nine’s of 36 and added another inward nine’s of 38, over the 7,600 yard course played predominantly from the back tees. Having started on hole number 10 of the course at 1.40pm, the champion played fantastic golf and reached the eighteenth hole at two over par when the course fought back and the champion posted bogeys on the 10th and the 15th. He remained in contention with one birdie on the 9th and the rest were level par on his way to posting the winning score and two shots clear of the field, all in all a fantastic display of golf. Barry thanked the title sponsors and support sponsors at the prize presentation and commented “This win will always be memorable especially playing the course from the back tees, the greens were fantastic”.
The Net Division is another tight contest amongst four contenders, but the top prize went to Emmanuel Orim (ARGC) who managed to post a three under par net 69 to win via virtue of a count back against Andre Grove and Club Captain Ron Murphy. Ryan Smith, Golf Operation manager commented at the prize presentation “The course played tough today, with only nine players from the 68 players competing breaking 80.
The winner -Barry McGettigan scored 74 gross
Runner Up – Sam Mullane scored 75 gross
2nd Runner Up – David Guinee scored 76 gross
The Tournament was organised at Arabian Ranches Golf Club. The design concept for this golf course was to build a true desert-style course similar to those found in Scottsdale, Arizona. At an impressive length of 7,658 yards, this course provides a true test for all golfers.The links is an 18 hole, par 72 signature course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. Built as a true desert-style grass course, players love the natural flow of the holes through the sand dunes and wonderful desert landscape. Missing the immaculate grass of the fairways, makes you enter the sandy waste with its indigenous shrubs and bushes. The elegant Spanish Colonial Clubhouse features Ranches Restaurant which offers stunning views on the 9th and 18th greens. Situated in the heart of its namesake community, Arabian Ranches Golf Club is a popular lifestyle destination with restaurants and leisure facilities, just a short drive from Dubai’s iconic landmark.
