Zane Scotland is not resting on his laurels ahead of the 2014 Mena Golf Tour season, which starts Tuesday with back-to-back events in Morocco.
The Englishman led from start to finish to win the Royal Dar Es Salam Open, the inaugural event on the 2013 Tour schedule, by five shots and followed it up with a runner-up place at the Royal D’Anfra Open in Mohammedia, setting the early tone for the season he capped with the Order of Merit title.
This season, the Royal D’Anfra Open comes first.
Scotland has six wins, including four in 2013, under his belt since the inception of the tour in 2011, but said that counts for nothing.
“What has happened is history. This is a different year. You’ve got to play well and execute your shots and see how things pan out,” said Scotland.
“Last year I went to Morocco with no expectations and the mindset is the same this time around. Of course, I have a lot of good memories from last year and enjoyed playing on golf courses in both the cities, even though the weather wasn’t all that great.
“I am not thinking too much in terms of results. The idea is to stay calm and take things as they come,” said Scotland who finished runner-up to the experienced Stephen Dodd after a three-way play-off, also involving England’s Ian Keenan, in Mohammedia last year.
“The golf course in Mohammedia is quite challenging. If you’re hitting from off the fairway you’ll find it difficult to make the green. Generally, the middle of the green is the right place because the greens are small and firm and you don’t need to do a lot to get close,” said the 31-year-old Englishman.
“There are many good players on the tour and anyone can have a good day at work, but I think the Moroccans would do well here because of their local knowledge, which will be quite handy on this course.”
There will be a 35-strong Moroccan contingent, including 19 amateurs, at the Royal D’Anfa Open.
Spearheading the home challenge in the professional category will be the experienced Faycal Serghini and Younes El Hassani.
“There are a lot of guys who feel they have the game and the attitude to win the tour events and they are all chomping at the bit,” said El Hassani, who was runner-up at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open in Rabat last year.
“Obviously, we are pretty familiar with conditions here, but still you have to execute your shots and play as well as you can since the standard of golf is very high. Hopefully, we can sneak up on a few top places in the opening two events to seize the early advantage.”
sports@thenational.ae
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
The five pillars of Islam