Based on the format of the famous US Ryder Cup, a matchplay competition between Team Europe and Team USA, the Fajara version has for years featured Team Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) versus Team Rest of the World (ROW), with a majority of golfers being from Great Britain & Ireland.

Gradually as the membership dynamics at the Fajara club have changed, the organisers have had to make changes to keep the teams balanced. As more Gambians, Africans, and Indians have once again started playing golf, the organisers have found that a more exciting and competitive balance would be for African & Asian members to play against members from the Rest of the World. As a result, this year, the 12th edition of the annual Fajara Club Ryder Cup took up an African flavour.

This competition has been sponsored for the last 13 editions primarily by Vineyard Multicuisine Restaurant & Comafrique and for the previous 7 editions with excellent sponsorship from Best Water and Super Pipes.

This year, amidst much excitement, the draws were held at Vineyard Multicuisine on the 8th of March.

The 9 Hole Pairs matches were played on Friday morning with a lot of fervour by both teams. The games were very close, and the teams ended Day 1 tied at 6:6. 

The 18 Hole Singles Matchplay games were played on Sunday and were extremely closely matched teams again. They were tied until the first 20 matches were played, with Team ROW eventually edging past Team Africa+Asia, at the end to win 20 to 17! A very close finish, indeed.

Both teams played remarkably well and displayed great sportsmanship. There was a lot of good banter, and both teams were in high spirits throughout the tournament.

The Winning Team, ROW Capt Matt Gribbin, received the Fajara Club Ryder Trophy, certificates for all team participants, and six bottles of Sparkling wine from Brian Power, Captain of Team Africa+Asia. Club Golf Captain Derek Brown was the master of ceremonies.

The organisers also conducted a two-day Pro Competition with Prize money of up to 25,000 GMD. Of the eight Pros competing, Doudou Gassama won the Pro Competition, with young Pro Anthony Jatta in second place.

The caddies, too, had their tournament, and the six final winners received an Intelizon ZonBulb each and a Voucher for 1,500 GMD from Alasana Jallow of Comafrique. Essa Jatta won the Caddies Competition, with Saul Jarju coming in second.

In the Caddies Competition, the Seniors category saw Alhagie Sohna and Dembo Jatta come in 1st and 2nd, respectively.

Prizes were also given out for the Longest Drive, Longest Putt, and Nearest to the Pin for the Caddy and Pro competitions. Each winner received a 25 kg bag of rice.

Mrs Poonam Punjabi distributed the Pro Prizes. 

All players, caddies and Pros wore T-shirts provided by the sponsors. The Prize giving gala lunch was accompanied by a lot of fun, music, drink and dance. 

Each year, the sponsors try and raise the ante... and this year, Vineyard, Super Pipes, Best Water and Comafrique delivered a very entertaining golfing weekend from the 9th to the 12th of March.

Did you know that Sir Dawda Jawara Golf Course is also accessible to non-members of The Fajara Club? Check our more details below and book your day at The Fajara Club!