Hymas, Stanford turn it on to win Jumeirah Pairs by The Brain and Performance Centre
Under the relentless Dubai sun, 80 determined golfers teed it up for the Jumeirah Pairs by The Brain and Performance Centre, a DP World Company, in a spirited showcase of camaraderie at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The format for the day was a Pairs Combined Stableford, where each golfer played their own ball, and scores were tallied by combining each pair's stableford points per hole. With this format encouraging both consistency and occasional bold shot-making, it made for compelling golf from start to finish. Players were also reminded to pick up if they could no longer score on a hole — a small but strategic twist that kept the pace brisk and competitive.
Men played from the specially marked composite tees, while women took on the course from forward tees, setting the stage for a fair and balanced contest.
Beyond the main competition, players vied for glory in several on-course challenges, including the ever-popular "Beat the Pro" against Brandon Moodley on Hole 4, as well as Nearest the Pin contests on Holes 6 and 17, and Nearest the Pin in Two on Hole 10.
Rising to the occasion in the Beat the Pro challenge was Nick Hymas, who not only bested the pro but would go on to leave his mark on the overall tournament as well.
Precision play was on full display throughout the course. Carl Downham took Nearest the Pin honors on Hole 6, while Mitsuko Emmerson showcased her accuracy on Hole 17. On the longer test at Hole 10, Abdulla Darwish earned bragging rights for Nearest the Pin in Two.
In the main competition, there was no shortage of drama as scores climbed and leaders jostled for the top spot. In third place were Moustafa Shahin and Eric Shehadeh, finishing strong with a combined 74 points. Just ahead of them, Edward McCullagh and Montek Mayal clinched the runner-up position with a solid 76 points.
But it was Nick Hymas and Richard Stanford who truly stole the show. Their outstanding round, marked by sharp iron play, steady putting, and that winning mentality, earned them a superb 80 Stableford points, securing their place as the champions of the May Jumeirah Pairs.
Meanwhile, in the Gross Division — judged purely on raw scoring — the team of Ed East and Thomas Kennedy impressed with an excellent total of 60 points, proving that power and precision can go hand in hand.
The tournament was proudly sponsored by The Brain and Performance Centre, whose continued support brings an added dimension of excellence and prestige to the event.
With another successful day in the books, players and spectators alike are already looking forward to the next edition of this standout fixture on the golfing calendar.
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