Staroba Masters 2011 : Pakdokter's Match against Shahidan and Hamid Shafie

Pakdokter and fellow batch-mate, AK @ Ahmad Khalid, had been regular partners in the monthly medals of the Staroba events and had regularly played against Shahidan and Hamid Shafie who were one year junior to us in school. In 2011 - we had lost thrice to this pair and pakdokter had arranged this final showdown against them at the Staroba Masters 2011.

Shahidan came with two drivers in his bag - one for a 'draw' strike and the other for a 'slice'? hit. And his partner, Hamid Shafie, pakdokter learnt had gone to the driving range for the previous one-week - to ensure that their unbeaten run would not be blemished.

What they did not count was the fact that AK had regained his 'form' and was playing at his best. This was evident as our partnership at the RSGC has been beating younger pairs week after week in the recent month.

And AK did not disappoint. He chipped in to the hole several times to take the hole away from our opponents despite giving strokes to both Shahidan and Hamid. We took the 1st Nine and our opponent doubled up for the 2nd only to lose again to an 'in-form' AK. Pakdokter was a 'happy passenger'......

Shahidan with his 2 drivers in the bag....

year-long rivalry....

Shahidan,pakdokter, AK and Hamid Shafie..

Shahidan at the par-3 hole 3....

AK birdied with a chip from outside.....

Hamid's week-long practise at the driving range definitely showed

in his long drives....

Hamid paying his dues to pakdokter....

and Shahidan paying to AK......

but the 'victory' was sweet and invaluable.....