Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge

Drumpellier GC pro Ian Taylor (left) and club captain Ian Thompson (image by courtesy of Christopher Lee of Getty Images).

Drumpellier pair set for Battle Royal in Bahrain

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Jet-setting Scottish club pro Ian Taylor showed no ill-effects after flying half way round the world as he stormed into a share of the lead at the Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge, supported by BWM, in Bahrain today.
The Drumpellier head professional teamed up with partner and club captain Ian Thompson, a nine handicapper, to shoot a flawless five-under-par-67 over the Montgomerie Course at the Royal Golf Club at Riffa Views.
The Scots, who picked up two birdies in the opening three holes, are level with Welsh pair Richard Dinsdale and Steve Williams from Parc Golf Club in Wales going into tomorrow’s final round.
For Taylor it was a particularly impressive display, having flown into Bahrain straight from San Francisco on America’s west coast.
“We got off to a flying start to be two-under after three holes and maintained that by playing solidly throughout with no bogeys at all,” said Taylor, who is a Fellow of the PGA and also a qualified referee.
“It’s a pretty challenging course with little room for error but I feel we both managed our shots very well and we’re looking forward to the final round tomorrow.”
The pair look set to be pushed all the way by Parc Golf Academy with former PGA Cup player Dinsdale sinking an eagle on the ninth and his three-handicap partner Williams chipping in with nett birdies on the fourth and 13th holes.
“We both played well on the front nine including an eagle on the ninth but we missed a few opportunities on the inward nine which might just have given us a cushion over the two Ians,” said Dinsdale.
“The course is in superb condition and hopefully we can sustain a challenge tomorrow and set up a great battle for the title.”
Also within striking distance of victory are international qualifiers Alan MacKenzie, another Scot, and Francisco Giles from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. They carded a 68.
Three clubs are tied in fourth place - Millbrook duo Rob Brightman and Duncan Steele, Killymoon’s Gary Chambers and Denton’s Mike Hollingworth and Paul Nuttall who all fired 69s.
Hollingworth is hoping to make it third time lucky as he competes in his third Gulf Air final.
The competitors were flown into Bahrain, courtesy of Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and are staying at the newly-opened L’Hotel located in the Seef district.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
67 Ian Taylor & Ian Thompson (Drumpellier), Richard Dinsdale & Steve Williams (Parc 3).
68 Alan MacKenzie & Francisco Giles (Dubai Creek).
69 Gary Chambers & Gerry Breslin (Killymoon), Rob Brightman & Duncan Steele (Millbrook), Mike Hollingworth & Paul Nuttall (Denton).
70 Michael Braidwood & Alan Horne (The Royal).
71 Alan Lovelace & Dan Reynolds (Merrist Wood College).
74 Wayne Alcock & John Kaine (Tamworth Municipal).

+ More information from the event at The Royal can be found under ‘Schedule, Scores and Results’ at http://www.pga.info/ProCaptainChallenge.aspx