The Kuwait National Golf Team have come out victorious for the 4th year in a row, in the annual Friendship Cup tournament, now in its ninth edition. Team Kuwait took the lead 7.5 points to 4.5 to the Internationals, after the first two rounds of action, which were held on the first day of the tournament at the Sahara Kuwait Resort this past weekend. The international team, under the leadership of Captain Juno Sethi attempted a comeback on day two, and although they came close, the Kuwaiti team garnered enough points down the stretch, winning two valuable points in the last two groups to secure victory by 4 points. Final result: Team Kuwait 14, International Team 10.

“I think “home advantage” played a big part in our victory as it has in the past” said Mazen Alansari, Captain of Team Kuwait. “This type of Golf tournament where you represent a nation rather than just yourself is different from other tournaments. When you represent your country, golf becomes a game of nerves and how well a competitor is able to control those nerves. That is why I think “home advantage” plays a big role” he added. Alansari explained that another factor that plays to Kuwait’s advantage is the “Handicap System” and the fact that many of the young Kuwaiti players are developing their skill on a daily basis.
Lenni Petrocelli, member of the International Team commented on the positive impact the Friendship Cup has had on the entire International team, even in defeat. “At Kuwait Airport, there is a banner that says welcome to Kuwait, the land of Friendship” he said, “and this is exactly what we see coming out of this tournament, cementing Friendship ties between the Kuwaitis and golfers from the rest of the world. Most of all, it was very enjoyable to take part in this competition” he added.
The 9th Friendship Cup was sponsored by Gulf Bank and Agility Co.