XCGC Review
A ‘TRULY FANTASTIC’ PRIZE AWAITS THE WINNERS OF THE 20TH EDITION OF THE XEROX CORPORATE GOLF CHALLENGE.
The story behind the 20th edition of a beloved amateur institution.
Blocking out the giddy anticipation of what victory would mean and keeping at bay the nerves that inevitably tag along for the ride down the stretch is no mean feat for any competitive golfer. Professionals pride themselves on the ability to stay in the moment in such circumstances, focusing on nothing more than the very next shot despite the cacophony of physical and psychological distractions.
Amateurs find this altogether more difficult but it’s no exaggeration to say 17-handicapper Ghazi Aurangazeb, one half of the winning 2018 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge team, found himself in golf’s mythical “zone” at Jumeirah Golf Estates last month. So much so, Aurangazeb had no idea of the dream prize he’d won in tandem with The Track, Meydan Golf team-mate Nicholas Hymas – even after they’d posed for the cameras at the official prize-giving and exited stage left.
Hymas set the unusual scene in the immediate aftermath when asked what the victory meant.
“I often watch [professional golfers] speak on television and they say it hasn’t sunk in yet…well, it hasn’t,” Hymas said before an excited interjection: “I still don’t know the prize,” Aurangazeb said. “It’s Ireland? Really?” he continued before Hymas revealed the fine print of their prize - corporate hospitality at July’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and a place in the European Tour event’s sponsors’ golf day. “Are you serious, wow. Really? Oh wow!” said Aurangazeb. “To be honest I never knew that [about the prize]. I’m super excited. I haven’t been to Ireland…”
Aurangazeb clearly stayed in the moment on Earth, signing for an eye-catching 83 – which turned into a net 70 on his ¾ handicap allowance of 13. Hymas, off 14, had an 88 for a net 77 off his recalculated handicap of 11, giving the duo a total of 147 for a four shot victory over Louis De Villiers and Dirk Bruwer. The consolation for the second-placed South Africans was pretty sweet too – Pro-Am berths and corporate hospitality at this month’s Abu Dubai HSBC Golf Championship. Mark Hughes and Edward Fearn will also enjoy hospitality at the $7 million Rolex Series event at Abu Dhabi Golf Club after finishing third on 154.
Hymas was in a complimentary mood afterwards as he looked forward to the DDF Irish Open at Lahinch G.C. in Co. Clare from July 4-7 and back on the 20th anniversary XCGC series where the winning duo had played two of the four qualifying tournaments, reaching the grand final by winning at Tower Links in Ras Al Khaimah.
“I’ve got to thank my partner for playing fantastic. My family will thank you too because we’ll be able to take all our families with us to Ireland as well,” Hymas said.
“Xerox have not only done a fantastic event today but they’ve also changed peoples’ lives. For me to be able to to see them [European Tour pros] close up and to play on the sponsors’ day will be truly fantastic.”