The First ever International Pairs Festival of Golf took place in Dubai from 28-31 March 2022. The 26 teams from 7 different nations had the enjoyment of playing some of Dubai’s top golf courses.
Day 1 – Fun at JA Lake View
A fun 2-Man Scramble format had golfers easing into the first day where they were set to take on JA Resort’s, Jebel Ali Golf Course. The participants had to navigate their way through a beautiful well-manicured resort course with narrow fairways and firm greens.
Hit the green and closest to the pin challenges were set out on each day and made for some added entertainment and good laughs throughout the week.
Day 2 – Moving Day – The Els Club Dubai
With the first round completed, leaderboard set, and heading into day 2 for a Better Ball Stableford round. You could say some were not expecting a very serious championship golf course at The Els Club Dubai. Some of the trickiest greens in the UAE forced golfers to plan their approach shots and get in tune with their putters. With double leaderboard points up for grabs, golfers had a little extra pressure to ensure good finishing positions.
Day 3 – Testing Partnerships
On day 3, friendships and relationships were questioned at Arabian Ranches, thanks to the Greensomes format. The 26 pairs had a chance to select their best drive and then switch to alternate shots until holed. This had the golfers planning their shots together and ensuring they play to each others strengths.
Day 4 – The Last Push
On the final day, golfers had a taste of what the PGA & European tour pro’s are facing. Not a blade of grass out of place, a sea of bunkers on every tee shot and greens as true you could get. The home of the DP World Championship, Jumeirah’s Earth Course was our final setting. Better Ball Stableford format ensured everyone’s game was tested individually and made for an exciting and tense finish, not to mention the added pressure of triple leaderboard points at stake on the final day.
Father and son team Richard Plumb and Grant Plumb were crowned Champions with a stunning final round and making the most of the triple leaderboard points available on the final day. They were closely followed by Rui Diogo Cernadas & Bernardo Silva Carvalho in 2nd, and Mathew Pravda & Jeshika Ramsunder in 3rd .
Richard and Grant won an all expenses paid entry into the next International Pairs Festival of Golf event.
It was an amazing week thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants and staff. All the teams played amazingly well at some of the toughest golf courses Dubai has to offer, but more importantly than just golf, are the new friendships, memories, and experiences that were made on and off the course during the week and that is just what the Festival of Golf is about!
Thanks to all the participants for an amazing week, it was surely one to remember and we look forward to seeing you in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Festival of Golf – view full details here: https://www.internationalpairsfestivalofgolf.com/