Muscat: Ayman al Busaidi of ABA International School Muscat claimed a bronze medal in the individual category at the recently concluded MESAC (Middle East and South Asia Conference) golf tournament held at the Ras al Hamra golf course.
Oman national team golfer Ayman shot a card of 75, just two shots behind the first place winner, Dubai American Academy’s Edoardo Scialanga. Edoardo was a stroke ahead of Anahie Hutzli of American Embassy School Delhi.
In the team competition, it went down to the last putt of the 2,268 hole for ABA to clinch third place in a dramatic and packed fourth green. American Embassy School Delhi emerged team champions while Dubai American Academy were runners-up.
Over 2260 holes of golf were played by 36 of the best international high school students from around the region as ABA International School hosted the MESAC golf tournament. The event lasted three days and featured an individual modified handicap tournament with the main event pitting each of the ABA’s six golfers against similar seeded golfers from the other schools. Schools featured were: American School of Dubai, American School of Doha, American Community School, Abu Dhabi, Dubai American Academy and the American Embassy School of New Delhi, along with the hosts ABA.
Speaking after picking up the medal, Ayman said: “It was an incredible experience to play against schools in the region. The format this year added much needed pressure to every shot and made MESAC much more exciting along with the challenging Ras Al Hamra golf club.”
Head Coach Chris Downey said: “The ABA team managed to keep their cool in a tense last couple of holes. It was a wonderful sight, with all the schools gathered around for the concluding putts. This golf team is still yet in development and we look forward to seeing them perform at an even higher level next year in Dubai.”
Coach Essex said: “You have never heard a bigger cheer for a bronze medal! The team deserved a podium place as they fought hard all the way against formidable opposition. It was a fantastic tournament.”
Tournament Director, ABA Athletic Director Mick Cooper said: “It was amazing to see the last few months’ preparation come to fruition with a hugely successful tournament for all teams. The excitement, skill, and team work was very evident from the players and the Ras Al Hamra golf course management and ground staff are to be congratulated for making the event so successful in this partnership with ABA, by offering such a terrific golf venue for this event”.
