Issam Khalidi
In 1920, the British administration in
Palestine established the Jerusalem Sports Club. Golf in Palestine was popular
among British army and administrators, who in the 1930's, established three golf
clubs: Jerusalem Golf Club, Palestine Police Golf Society, and
Sodom and Gomorrah Golfing Society.
Palestine
Post brought few news about golfing tournaments throughout the period 1939 - 1945,
"The draw for the Wauchope [High Commissioner] cup presented by the last
High Commissioner to the Jerusalem Golf Club took place at the annual general
meeting held on Friday the 24th ultimo. Twenty-eight members decided
to enter for the competition this year and the draw is given below. The holder,
Mr. G. Wadsworth, with a handicap of plus one, should find it a little more
difficult to win the trophy than on past occasions. Brig. Gen. B. O. Hutchison
who has been given a handicap of one is a strong favourite, and generally
speaking, some keen matches are anticipated."[1]
"Playing their first
match of the season, the Palestine Police Golfing Society were beaten by the
Jerusalem Golf Club on the latter’s course by eight points to six, after a most
interesting game."[2]
"The Palestine Police Golfing Society
turned out a good competent side against the Sodom and Gomorrah Golfing Society
this week. Eight single matches on
handicap were played over the Jerusalem golf Club course, the Police beating
their opponents by four matches to two, the remaining two being halved. "[3]
"Jerusalem Golf Club
members held their tournament for the Wauchope Cup during the first fortnight
of the month, R.F.B. Crook winning the trophy with a score of the 75nett. K.H,
Joly, last year’s winner, and S/Ldr. C.B. Webber tied for second place, one stroke
behind the winner. The competition was conducted under Medal Play over 18
holes. Entries showed a surprising increase over those, of last year; a very
encouraging sign in view of the difficulties of wartime golf. The Jerusalem
Golf Club will hold monthly competitions throughout the summer. All members,
including temporary Service members, will be eligible to participate."[4]
In 1968, a decision was made by the PLO to form the Palestine Supreme
Council for Youth Care (in 1974 it became known as the Supreme Council for
Youth and Sports - SCYS). In 1969, few branch
committees were established in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. SCYS organized different sports federations. The Palestine Tennis Federation included golf along with table
tennis and squash. At that time, a special committee for golf was formed by the
golf player Mohamed Ahmed Ali. In 1989, SCYS - Lebanon branch - assigned Khalid
Ejjawi - activist and author - to form a federation for this game. He became
its president in 1991.
The first Arab tournament in golf was held in
Beirut in 1975. It was organized by the Lebanese Golf Association which was headed
by Salim Ali Salim - President of the Arab Golf Association and a former
chairman of the Middle East Airlines MEA. Some Palestinian golfers working at
the Lebanese Golf Club took part as representatives of Palestine in this
tournament. In order to achieve good results at the Arab level, Salim
supported them financially, and gave them the opportunity to develop and improve
their skills at this club. [5]
Palestine
took part in the third Pan Arab Golf Tournament in Cairo in 1977. It was
represented by Muhamed Ahmed Ali. It also took part in the fourth (1979) and
the ninth PAGT in Dubai where Farouq Tahhan and Salim Melhim represented
Palestine. Also, Palestinian golfers took part in the tenth PAGT in 1989, the
eleventh in Alexandria in 1990, and the
14th in Cairo in 1993. [6]
Few Palestinian practiced golf in the
diaspora, among them Dr. Bashar Khadir, a political science professor at Leuven
University in Begium. He became a golf champion in this country. [7]
References:
[1] Palestine Post, 6 March 1939.
[2] Palestine Post, 2 May 1941.
[3] Palestine Post, 18 July 1941.
[4] Palestine Post, 18 April 1945.
[5] Khalid Ejjawi, Al-haraka
al-Riyadiayya al-Falastiniyya fi al-Shatat, [Palestine Sports Movement in
Diaspora](Damascus: al-Dar al-Wataniyya al-Jadida, 2002), 516-518.
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