By Kent Gray
For believers of good golf omens, Khalid Yousuf’s Saturday at Jebel Ali Golf Resort was a positive sign.

The 28-year-old UAE national team captain continued his prep for September’s Eisenhower Trophy in Ireland by firing a new amateur course record at the Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) monthly medal – on none other than St Patrick’s Day.

Yousuf rattled off six birdies and a closing hole eagle against four bogeys to better by one the previous Jebel Ali amateur course record he’d previously set himself in a national team qualifier.

“My putter was hot and I made a lot of putts from 10 to 20 feet,” said the +1-handicapper who negotiated the two loops of the 9-holer in 32 and 36 strokes.

“With the course playing short but the winds affecting a lot of shots, it was important to keep the ball in the fairway. The shot of the day came on the par five, 18th hole when I had 232 yards for my approach shot that I hit to 15 feet. I went on to make that putt for eagle and breaking the record.

“It feels great to shoot a four-under-par round giving the amateur record to a UAE national.”

Indeed.

Yousuf is now waiting for confirmation of when and where the G.C.C. (Gulf Cooperation Council) Golf Championships will be staged and will also continue playing EGF Order of Merit events in the countdown to Eisenhower Trophy world amateur teams championship to be held at Carton House, near Dublin, from August 29-September 8.

Yousuf, meanwhile, was one of 42 UAE nationals to contest the March medal at Jebel Ali. Yousuf Al Ali, a 23-handicapper, won the title with 41 stableford points, one clear of Mohammed Al Dabal. UAE rep Abdallah Al Musharrekh was third on 39 points.

Saturday’s winners.

Trophies were also won by Saleh Al Ameri and Hamad Al Medfa who scored 38 and 34 points to win Division A (0-14 handicaps) and Division B (14-24 handicaps) respectively./

The EGF’s next National Monthly Medal is scheduled for Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on April 28.