DUBAI // Malcolm Young of the Arabian Ranches completed an excellent weekend's work in the annual Dubai Trophy by holing the clinching putt to secure victory for UAE professionals over the amateurs at Emirates Golf Club's Faldo course yesterday.
The 16-man professional team, captained by Justin Parsons of the Els Club, were pushed all the way by spirited amateur opponents, who were eventually forced to accept a 17 1/2 - 14 1/2 verdict. The winners prevailed for the eighth time in 10 runnings of the matchplay competition, which is run along Ryder Cup lines.
Young, who was successful in both foursomes and fourballs on Saturday with Luke Cantelo, edged out Dubai Creek's Dino Varkey on the 17th green to secure an unassailable lead for the pros.
A 9-7 margin in the series of 16 singles rubbers which followed Saturday's eight fourballs and eight foursomes matches saw the pros home as the amateurs gave a glowing account of themselves.
Among them were Matthew Turner, who performed with distinction against some of the world's leading touring professionals in this year's Dubai Desert Classic and Khalid Yousuf, who has represented the UAE in that European Tour event for the last two years. Joel Neale, the order of merit champion for the last two seasons, Sean Thornberry and Ahmed Al Musharrekh also enjoyed heartening victories.
The professionals rose to the challenge in an exciting finale and after the first nine rubbers had been shared they took 4 1/2 points from the final five encounters with wins for Young, Steve Chambers, David Gray and Stuart Fee. Cyril Rozes and Alex Charwani from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club shared a point in the other late finishing battle.
The professional team had carried a one-point lead into yesterday's singles. They had secured that advantage in the Saturday morning fourballs, thanks to a solid performance by Richard Sheridan. Along with Andrew Pilfold, his six birdies and an eagle helped get a resounding 6 & 5 verdict over Turner and Thornberry.
That lead was preserved when the afternoon foursomes were shared. Amateurs Miki Mirza and Robert Watts were the biggest foursomes winners, defeating their professional rivals Craig Martin and Pilfold 6 & 5.
wjohnson@thenational.ae
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RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
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Company%C2%A0profile
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5