By Kent Gray
James Heath held his nerve to win the Golden Ball Grand Final at Al Hamra Golf Club but the priceless reward means the butterflies remain.

The Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club member will tee it up in the European Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final Pro-Am on October 29 after winning the Golden Ball title with a two-under net 70 at Al Hamra on Saturday.

Heath will be joined in the Pro-Am by Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club’s Gregory Mathieu who was second with a net 71, on countback from Hanif Ibrahim (Tower Links Golf Club) who will also play alongside one of the European Tour’s emerging stars despite a heartbreaking 10 on Al Hamra’s closing hole.

“It’s daunting to think that we will be playing with the Challenge Tour guys in a couple of weeks,” Heath said after capturing a title that saw more than 800 amateurs enter.

“I got nervous enough coming here for the Golden Ball Grand Final. But it’s going to be a real honour to play alongside them and an experience I’m looking forward to. I play at Al Ain Golf Club so come to a different course in the UAE and represent my club has been a real honour. To win is a bit of good luck.”

Entry to the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final from October 31 to November 3 is free.

The prestigious event is the Challenge Tour’s season-ending showcase which will culminate in the top 15 players on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Rankings being promoted to play on next season’s European Tour.

Like Heath, Mathieu can’t wait for the experience.

The Golden trio (from left) James Heath, Hanif Ibrahim and Gregory Mathieu.

“I’ve played golf for many years but only recently started playing in events so I’m really pleased to win. It’s a dream come true to play with the pros of the Challenge Tour. It’s a real blessing as when you play with a pro you learn a lot and I can’t wait to be there.”

Ibrahim added: “I’m really happy to win one of the Pro-Am places. It’s mixed emotions as I came up to the 18th tee around six under par net but finished with a 10 on that hole which spoiled my scorecard but I’m thrilled to get through.”

The Challenge Tour’s tagline is ‘Where Heroes Are Made’ and six of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team from Paris last month – Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Thorbjørn Olesen, Alex Noren and Tyrrell Hatton – along with their victorious captain Thomas Bjorn – all started their careers on the developmental circuit.

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