After a tightly fought two days on the links for many of Israel's top golfers, 21-year-old IDF officer Daniel Strassler emerged victorious at the Ga'ash Golf 2009 Club Championship, held last Thursday and Friday at the beautifully manicured Ga'ash course.
Strassler, who was also a member of the Israeli golf team at the 18th Maccabiah Games this past summer, played the first day in five-over-par 75 before storming out on Friday with a superb one-under-par 69, giving him a total of 144, good enough to capture the championship by 10 strokes.
He played the first nine holes of his second round in three-under-par 32, including four birdies. He completed his 69, easily the best round of the tournament, by coming back in with a two-over 37.
Finishing in a distant second was Gidi Golan, who shot a 77 on both days.
The winner of the best net score in the "A" division went to Raphy Haroush, with Leon Eting grabbing second place.
There was plenty of excitement in the "B" division as well, where after the 36 holes Shlomo Kuperman and Ilan Cohen both were tied with a total score of 168. The pair went into a playoff, which ended quickly when Kuperman grabbed the title over Cohen on the first extra hole.
The net prizes in the "B" division went to Tomer Koren, followed by Carmel Vernia.
Nearest-to-the-pin prizes, sponsored by the pro shop at the Ga'ash Golf Club, went to Mati Geri and Dani Hurwitz. Ga'ash Golf now looks forward to the completion of the annual Club Championships with the women, super-seniors and "C" division going into action on Thursday and Friday of this week.
| More about: | Shlomo Artzi, Israel, Golan Heights |