Steve Kelbrick (Trump International GC) shot a second round 69 to go along with his round one 72 for a 36-hole total of 141, three under par, to win the 2023 Tower Links Golf Club Men’s Open.

This is the final Qualifying Round of the 2022 – 2023 Emirates Golf Federation Men’s Order of Merit.

Kelbrick, playing off a +2 handicap, stood in tied third place in the Gross Division overnight, two behind round one leader Victor Kofod Olsen (EGC).

He went to the turn in 35 gross, with a birdie on hole two along with eight pars. A back nine holes of seven pars and birdies on holes 14 and 18, saw Kelbrick home in 34, and a 141 gross total.

A look at Kelbrick’s two scorecards, it reveals: 29 pars, five birdies and two bogeys, both in the first round on holes 16 and 17. Kelbrick started yesterday (Saturday) in 14th place in the EGF Order of Merit.

In second place came home player Simon Dunn (TLGC) with rounds of 71 and 73 for a 144, level par total.

In the Net Division Nikhil Bhatia (Dubai Creek) won with rounds of 71 and 68 for a 36-hole total of 139 playing off a 3 handicap to beat Dominic Morton (Trump International Golf Club) on 144 off his scratch handicap.

30 players competed in the tournament with 26 completing both rounds.

Andy Pilfold, General Manager of Tower Links Golf Club, said at the prize presentation, ‘Congratulations to all our winners. We have experienced some exceptional golf over the weekend. Well done especially to Steve Kelbrick, our 2023 champion. To go around our 6,644 yards course twice with just two bogeys is superb golf. Steve was also the only player to break 70 with today’s round. Thank you to all for supporting our Men’s Open and we look forward to making it bigger and better in 2024.’

36 Hole Results (Par 72, 6,644 Yards)

Gross DivisionS. Kelbrick (Trump International GC) 72, 69 = 141(-3)S. Dunn (TLGC) 71, 73 = 144 (Par)C. Vance (Trump International GC) 73, 72 = 145 (+1)

Net DivisionN. Bhatia (3, Dubai Creek) 71, 68 = 139 (-5)D. Morton (Scr. Trump International GC) 73, 71 = 144 (Par)R. Gulati (2. Dubai Creek) 72, 75 = 147 (+3)

Day 1 – GrossV. Kofod-Olsen (EGC) 70 (-2)

Day 1 – NetG. Gibson (Tower Links GC) 71 (-1)

Day 2 – GrossP. Whittaker (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club) 70 (-2)

Day 2 – NetC. Liddicott (Tower Links GC) 72 (Par)