Friday the 12th of February saw a new dawn as the new USGA handicap system entered its third week of operation and Al Hamra unveiled the Crans Sur Sierre Trophy, which will become an annual club tournament. The day’s competitors were blessed with glorious sunshine and still conditions as they played the flourishing Al Hamra Links. The tournaments format was individual, full handicap stableford with a strong field competing for the 3 overall prizes. The golf course was full of special shots during the day and the overall scores returned were phenomenal as 95% of the field returned more than 30 stableford points.

Another solid display saw Sean Mahony claim 3rd place as he finished with two very consistent nines of 22 and 21 that totaled 43 points. Gary Newell had a ripping start to his front nine as his first 4 holes amassed him 14 points which helped him create a front 9 total of 25. Despite a slightly stuttering back nine by the high standards he had set on the front, Newell returned to the clubhouse with 20 points which added to his front 9 haul of 25 gave him a 45 point total and outright 2nd place.

The overall winner and Crans Sur Sierre champion 2010, Dave Heron, claimed his award and the day’s accolades in tremendous style as he scored a whacking 46 stableford points and his first Al Hamra title. Heron followed on his recent good from in glittering style as he reeled off nines of 24 points on the front and 22 on back. The highlights of his round were 4 gross pars and 8 bogeys, and despite finishing with 46 points he still managed a no score at the stroke index 1, par 4 10th hole.

“Al Hamra Golf Club is exceptionally proud of its relationship with the Crans Sur Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland and hope that over the next couple of years the Crans Sur Sierre members will come and take part in the event and help make it one of the clubs flagship tournaments. We extend our special thanks to the Crans Sur Sierre Club for donating such a wonderful trophy and think the tournament is definitely one to pin point each year in the calendar,” said Andrew Pilfold. “Congratulations must go to Dave Heron today for such a fantastic round of golf!”