Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Members and guests at Al Hamra Golf Club displayed skill and stamina in equal measures during a gruelling 24-hour Golf Challenge in aid of charity.
The first Gulf golf club to become a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Al Hamra’s golfing marathon raised more than AED60,000 for the Ras Al Khaimah Centre for People of Determination.
The 16-strong team of golfers that completed the challenge included Paul Booth, General Manager of Al Hamra Golf Club, and Chris Hewett, Vice President of Hospitality for the Al Hamra Group.
The event teed-off at 6 pm with players enjoying a variety of fun formats. “The first real test hit in the middle of the night as the fog set on the golf course with visibility down to around 50 metres,” said Booth.
Undeterred, the golfers continued, playing short game challenges and chipping competitions around the green.
In the afternoon, a fresh group of players arrived to support the cause with a Texas Scramble, which included members of the UAE Special Olympic Golf Team and the UAE’s National Golf Squad as well as their coaches.
With the assistance of Arabic-speaking golf professional Samir Wallani, representatives from the RAK Centre for People of Determination were given their first chance to try golf.
Additional funds were raised during an evening charity auction with generous donations from Troon Golf, Hilton, RAK TDA, Marjan Island and the Waldorf Astoria.