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Posted by
Rich Tortorelli
-
Mon, Oct. 22, 2012
- [
Men's Golf
] - Viewed 302 times
Issa Abou el Ela
ANTALYA, Turkey - Oklahoma City University's Issa Abou el Ela competed for his native country of Egypt in the World Amateur Team Championship at Cornelia Golf Club and Antalya Golf Club on Oct. 4-7.
The tournament featured the top three amateur players from 72 countries competing for the prestigious Eisenhower Trophy.
"I always love the experience of competing for my country and it is always an honor," Abou el Ela said. "Even though golf is not a large sport back home, just being considered and to be one of the people to gets to travel is an honor. Knowing that they always have faith in me to represent them day in and out, on and off the course is great. They help me be a role model to the future golfers that look up to me after doing something great with the Egyptian team."
Abou el Ela carded three birdies in the first round, five in the second and two in the final round of competition on the par-72, 6,373-yard and par-71, 6,477-yard courses and shot 85-73-80-238 to tie for 154th individually. The freshman from Alexandria, Egypt, helped his country finish in tie for 58th.
"The atmosphere was great and it was great meeting all those top-class golfers" Abou el Ela said. "The courses were like heaven, the greens were perfect and nothing was easy. We had to work hard."
The United States, Mexico and South Korea finished first, second and third respectively while Sebastian Vazquez of Mexico took the individual title.
"The most memorable moment was walking up the 18th on the last day of the tournament and knowing that it was a great experience," Abou el Ela said. "I know that hard work pays off and I hope that I can try to go back and play in Japan in 2014."
Abou el Ela and the defending NAIA-champion Stars begin their spring season Feb. 4-5 in the CSU San Marcos Cougar Invitational at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista, Calif.
