Moving day brings aces everywhere!
VICTORIA FALLS (ZIM) - The official last day of spring (or fall here in Zimbabwe) brought a historic day as the third round of the 15th World Military golf Championship was held at the Elephant Hills Golf Resort in scenic Victoria Falls.
Prior to this year’s championship there had only been four hole-in-ones in CISM competition, none since 2014. But Kenya’s Sergeant Val A. Ouma opened the floodgates with her ace in round two, the first ever by a ladies competitor. Only it was followed quickly by two more career shots in round 3! Playing in the same group, First Sergeant Niclas Crocker of Germany aced the 5th hole, only to be followed 6 holes later when Kingdom of Bahrain’s Second Lieutenant Khalifa Alkaabi dunked his tee shot on the eleventh hole. The estimated odds of this happening in the same group alone is 1 in 4 million and when you combine it with the previous day’s shot, it is easy to see a historic event is shaping up here in Zimbabwe. Congratulations to all!
Traditionally known as “Moving Day” in golf parlance, the third round brought just that as players set themselves up for a competitive and potentially memorable last round. Looking at the results, Team Germany has maintained their lead in the Men’s Team Competition (914 strokes), with Canada (923) staying within striking distance and the Kingdom of Bahrain (932) solidly entrenched in third place. The Netherlands (972) and France (975) remain outside the podium but it appears the first three spots will be set, the only question is in what order.
The Ladies Competition has France (482) wrapping up the first medal but there will be a dogfight for the remaining two spots as Netherlands (543), Tanzania (545), Canada (552), host-nation Zimbabwe (554) and Kenya (556) are all tightly grouped meaning every stroke in round four could have medal-changing consequences. The team scores are calculated for the men by taking the four best scores each day while the ladies count their top two.
Individually, the Men’s Competition is taking shape as Canadian Sergeant Joel Simms (222) has given himself a little cushion over Germany’s Staff Sergeant Niklas Starcevic (225), and Netherlands Major Berend den Engelman (226) who currently hold the podium spots. But within striking distance of a medal are a group of fine players, including German Corporal Yannic Kock (228), Canadian Major Raymond Doiron (230), German Captain Fabian Obieglo (231) and Kingdom of Bahrain Sgt Sultan Mubarak (232). A fine last round could find any of these players jumping up the leaderboard.
The Ladies has defending champion Private Pauline Stein (220) of France comfortably ahead after shooting the tournament’s low round of two-under par 70. However, behind her it is shaping up to be a great final round as several countries are represented with challengers including France’s Maude Fouquet (262), Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel Jennifer Jones (267), and a pair of Tanzanian ladies. Private Leticia Romano Kapalia (272), and Corporal Khadija Selimani Lusakile who is tied with the Netherlands Lieutenant-Colonel Marleen van der Deijl at 274. A great round by any of these ladies could find themselves standing on the podium .
The Men’s Senior Division opened up a little from the tied scores at the halfway-point. Kingdom of Bahrain Sergeant Sultan Mubarak (232) jumped ahead of Canadian Master Warrant Officer Michael Boozan and fellow country mate Warrant Officer Nasser Yaqoob who are tied at 236. Lurking close enough to still strike a medal are Kenyan Warrant Officer 2 K.K. Mabele (240) tied with Spanish Teniente Avelino Mora Calvo.
It can not be over-stated though, the golf is almost overshadowed by the incredible natural beauty of the host nation. A wide-range of wildlife have made themselves part of the event, almost feeling like a natural gallery as the players weave themselves through herds of impala, monkeys, baboons and waterbuck. And one warthog family, clearly interested in the championship results, found themselves directly involved in the event on the last hole, much to the astonishment of the patrons watching behind the green.
Day four is all that remains. Best of luck to everyone as they strive not only for medal results, but also the lifelong military relationships that is the ultimate goal of CISM. Fore!
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
