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Tribute to Arif Peera

The 1st Playing of

HAIDER CUP

Los Angeles - 2001

2001 Home

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Organizing Comm.

The 1st Playing of

HAIDER CUP

Los Angeles - 2001

2001 Home

Courses

Teams

Results

Pictures

Organizing Comm.

USA versus CANADA

Charity Golf Tournament

LOS ANGELES 2001

In the Haider Cup 2001, a Ryder Cup style golf team championship, the United States defeated a determined and gutsy Canadian team by a score of 10 1/2 to 7 1/2. The Haider Cup was first announced by Shia Ithnaasheri Islamic Jamaat of Los Angeles member Arif Peera back in May. Initially, while people may have had their reservations about participating in such a unique and special event, it was clear at the end of the tournament that Khoja sporting history had indeed been made.

The tournament was played over three gloriously sunny and brilliant fall days, and in weather that could only be described as absolutely perfect. Two team events were played on Thursday October 25 (Sierra Lakes Golf Club, Fontana, California), and Friday October 26 (Oak Valley Golf Club, Beaumont, California). The Haider Cup was inaugurated with a ceremonial tee shot by Ali Abbas Peera at Sierra Lakes Golf Club.

The United States team displayed their winning ways from day one, when the day was concluded with the United States leading by a score of 3 to 1 1/2. The team event featured two US players versus two Canadians, with the winner taking one point, and drawn games resulting in half a point for each side. The gap was widened at the end of the second day with the United States extending their lead to two points, leading the Canadians by a score of 51/2 to 3 1/2.

The stage was thus set for the exciting third day of singles competitions at Goose Creek Golf Club, in Miraloma, California. Traditionally, in this format, anything can happen on the third day. What was clear, however, was that the US had to win four points to win the Haider Cup outright, and the Canadians had to win six points for a clear win. From the nine available points, if the US managed to win only 3 1/2, and the Canadians 5 1/2, then the event would have ended in a tie, and the USA would have retained the Haider Cup as the host nation. The US team, however, had other ideas. The individual matches were neck and neck for most of the day, but towards the end of the round, it seemed like the momentum was favoring the US side. The United States ended up winning the 5 points, and the Canadians won 4, making the United States the outright winners with a final score of 10 1/2 points to 7 1/2 points.

The Haider Cup was not all about golf. The seventeen players who converged upon Los Angeles from Orlando, New York, Minneapolis, El Paso, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto were treated to virtual VIP status by their hosts and several members of the Los Angeles Community. While they didn't have too many opportunities to visit the many Los Angeles attractions, the 17 golfers were guests of honor at the Peera and Hassanali residences, and at Sammy's Chicken N Ribs Riverside Restaurant! It would be safe to say that the Los Angeles community set a very high standard for tournament and hosting excellence, and for this, thanks are due to many people including:

• SIIJLA President Khalil Dewji for blessing the event, and for partially sponsoring the event.

• Stitches N Prints owner Ali Amir for providing all golfers with custome designed golf shirts.

• Abdul Jessa, for providing the Haider Cup players with gifts of golf balls, tees, and much more.

• SIIJLA Founder Member Gulamabbas Dhala, for providing us with unending moral support from the day the event was announced, and for providing each player with a beautiful plaque under the auspices of the KSI Of America directory.

• Hasnain Khaku of Pre-Paid Legal Services, for hosting three of our Canadian friends, and his wife Tahera Khaku, and for being partial event sponsors also.

• Mazaher and Rozina Kermalli, for hosting two of our Canadian golfing friends, and for providing logistical support.

• Partial sponsors Mujtaba Datoo, Sadik Alloo, Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, the Gulamali Fazal family, and Dr. Murtadha Khakoo.

• Pyarali and Parin Hassanali, for hosting some of our US players and for providing us with a superb banner, with Haider Cup logo, which will be used in all future Haider Cup events. One can't neglect to mention the wonderful dinner gala at the Hassanali residence, and the awards ceremony that took place right after dinner.

• Ukera and Zakiya Peera, for partially sponsoring the event, hosting players, taking pictures and videos, all kinds of logistical support, and for yet another dinner of Khichro!

• Most important, the Haider Cup committee would like to thank their wives (Fazeelat Dhala, Mubina Sivjee, Munira Sivjee, and Farha Peera) for their critical support throughout the long months of planning.

The Haider Cup gained "tradition" status on the night it was concluded, with the announcement that the City Of Toronto, Canada, would host the event on the Canada Day weekend in 2002. Rest assured, our Canadian friends, that the US team will give it it's best shot yet again!
 

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