The larger than life Raphael Roberts was left beaming from ear to ear after winning the coveted Golden Ticket at the Emirates Airline Invitational Golden Ticket UK Qualifier.
The eagerly anticipated event, organized by the Middle East’s No.1 golf publication Worldwide Golf, which took place in the stunning surroundings of The Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England on Monday August 22nd, was hugely over-subscribed with a ballot required to trim down the field to the maximum permitted 120 golfers.
Among the field in the strokeplay event were celebrities such as radio DJ Spoony and ex Celtic and West Ham goal keeper Allen McKnight while competitors were also treated to a breathtaking and highly entertaining show by renowned trick shot specialist Kevin Carpenter who was previously a pro at Riffa Views Golf Club.
With some impressive scores being returned it was going to take a phenomenal performance to take the considerable spoils and 13-handicapper Rafa pulled one out of the bag with a wonderful round of net 69.
“This feels absolutely tremendous,” said an ecstatic Rafa who will fly to the UAE on Emirates Airlines to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final next January the week before the Invitational and will be invited to Abdullah Al Naboodah’s event as a special guest even if he doesn’t win the Golden Ticket. “It’s quite rare for me to win a tournament – normally I come sixth or seventh so today being first is special and I feel very, very happy. It’s great.