Crawford Cup

THE first playing of the Crawford Cup took place in 1995 on the old Municipality Dump Course. This event is sponsored by Al Ain resident Jim Crawford, and after a hiatus of five years, it has been reinstated in the competition calendar at Al Ain Golf Club.

By J. Crawford (Focus on Al Ain)

Published: Mon 16 Feb 2004, 12:44 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 1:43 PM

The format is greensomes foresomes off - combined handicap. Both players tee off, select one drive and hole out by alternative shots thereafter. A near record 32 players participated last Friday afternoon and some good scoring was recorded. The attractive trophies had been engraved by Javed Arts of Al Ain. Javed Arts' work has often been seen around the Capital of the Eastern Region and the United Arab Emirates for some 25 years, including at Tawam Hospital and the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Ms Renate Crawford performed the presentation honours with third place going to Moeen and Steve Sanderson on 34 points. Mike Smith and Phil Moser took second on 38, while golf captain Jim Doig partnered by Derek Wootton emerged the winners with one point more.

Jim Doig was also on hand to announce the separate long drive and closest to the pin section, won by Sean Rice and Phil Moser, respectively.

The event was organised, on behalf of the sponsor, by Golf Club committee members Pat Cullity and Rolf-Dieter Amende. The presentation was followed by a splendid supper for 55 guests, purveyed by Super-Restaurant.

Upcoming events at the Al Ain Golf Club include inter-club matches against Ras Al Khaimah on February 26-27 and Al Dhafra on March 11-12. Interested participants may register now.

Leadership programme

Toastmasters International is a leading movement devoted to developing communication and leadership skills among its members. The United Arab Emirates has 20 chartered clubs and has the second largest number of clubs among Gulf countries. The Al Ain branch of Toastmasters is now in its first year of Chartered Membership and its members meet on a fortnightly basis. Al Ain Toastmasters is holding its first Youth Leadership Programme (YLP), under the guidelines set by the international club, with the aim of helping young people develop better public speaking and leadership skills.

The first session of the YLP was held recently with 10 teenagers recruited from local schools and was held at the Al Ain English Speaking School. The programme consists of 8 weekly sessions where the participants will be introduced to public speaking and leadership techniques. The first session was opened by the President of the Al Ain Club, Shannon Glasgow. During this session, YLP Club Officers were selected from the participants and they will conduct future meetings under the guidance of the coordinators.

The participants will have an opportunity to give and evaluate speeches, speak impromptu, develop listening skills and also observe the adult members of the Al Ain Toastmasters Club deliver and evaluate speeches.

At the end of the YLP, there will be a special session during which the participants will have a chance to demonstrate their newly acquired skills and self-confidence to their parents and guests. They will also receive their certificates of completion.

The YLP Course Coordinator is Abraham Chacko and Assistant Coordinators are Peggy Schofield, Maries Joseph and Jodi Lefort, all members of the Al Ain Toastmasters Club. The new programme has generated considerable interest from the local schools and has been oversubscribed. More YLP programmes will be offered later in the year. Information about future programmes or membership can be obtained from Dolores Basilio, Acting Vice-President of Public Relations (phone 050-3310437) or by writing to alaintoastmasters@hotmail.com

More details about Toastmasters International can be obtained from the website www.toastmasters.org