Cameron Wilson shares a paper entitled Oman and its Unusual Stability

Editor's Note --- Junior Cameron Wilson shares a Dec. 2012 paper entitled "Oman and its unusual stability", written for a Stanford class entitled "Decoding the Arab Spring".  Below is an excerpt from the paper --- Click here to read the entire 7-page paper which sheds light on a part of the world few Americans know anything about.

Oman is a small country located on the southeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula. It shares borders with Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Its small population, weak military, and generally pacifist tendencies ensure that it receives little coverage in the western media. Oman’s government, based in the capital city of Muscat, has been remarkably stable over the last several decades, with Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said coming to power in 1970 --when he seized power from his father-- and ruling as a dictator ever since. The stability he has created is even more impressive given the recent Arab Spring uprisings in countries such as Egypt and Libya and the fact that al Said holds almost complete power over Oman. This paper will analyze the strategies that the Sultan has used to create stability and avoid the fate, thus far at least, of other dictators in the Arab world. Through these strategic moves, he has successfully maintained relations with western powers such as the United States, while keeping cordial relations with his neighboring countries, among the most powerful in the Middle East. In contrast to other dictators of the region, Al Said has earned the respect and loyalty of his people by improving quality of life and expanding human rights. This has resulted in al Said easily maintaining, in some cases even consolidating, his power throughout the course of the Arab Spring.

            The roots of Oman’s friendly relations with the United States were cultivated nearly 200 years ago. In 1841, Oman was the first country in the Middle East to recognize the newly formed United States as a sovereign nation. From this beginning the two countries have forged a successful record of diplomatic cooperation. Since al Said came to power in 1970 Oman has supported US initiatives in the Middle East. Most notably, Oman was the only country in the region to support Egypt in ratifying the Camp David Accords in 1978. At the time, other nations in the Arab League were pushing to expel Egypt for this act of diplomacy which they saw as a betrayal of Arab principles. Oman supported Egypt in signing the accords while arguing for their continued inclusion in the Arab League. Al Said also allows the United States the use of an air base in southwest Oman. The base in Thumrait has become a hub for reconnaissance aircraft that are used to monitor activities in nearby Iran. 

           In recent years, Oman has been influential in securing the release of western travelers from complex judicial systems in other Middle Eastern nations. In late 2009, three American hikers mistakenly crossed from Iraq into Iran. They were arrested and two were later sentenced to eight years in Iranian prison on counts of espionage. In the fall of 2011, Omani officials brokered their release and flew the hikers from Iran to Muscat before ultimately returning them to the United States.^[1] President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both issued statements in which they thanked the Sultan for his country’s role in securing the safe release of the American hikers. A similar situation arose in November of 2011 when three French aid workers were taken into custody by a Yemeni affiliate of al-Qaeda. Omani officials were able to negotiate with a Yemeni businessman so that he could pay the ransom demanded to recover the aid workers.^[2] Upon their release, they were driven to Muscat before taking flights to France. Then president of France Nicolas Sarkozy quickly issued a statement thanking Oman for its role in the aid workers’ safe recovery. Through these acts of diplomacy, Oman has been able to maintain strong alliances with several western powers.

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^[1] U.S. Hikers Released From Iranian Prison, Arrive in Oman. Fox News

^[2] Friedman, Uri. Oman: The World’s hostage negotiator.

 Click here to read the entire 7-page paper written by Stanford's junior Cameron Wilson.

Cameron Wilson shares the inside info on the team

My teammates have used this opportunity to talk about their golf games, highlight the many ways in which Stanford is a great place to be, and detail some of our results thus far. I thought I’d use this blog to tell our supports a little more about each of my teammates and coaches. Before I do that, I’d like to extend a quick thanks to our supporters and donors who have supported our program this year. You all are too numerous to thank in this post, but know that your efforts are appreciated by everyone on the team. Nowhere else would we be able to have so many great experiences all in the course of one season.

            That said, here are some of the idiosyncrasies of each player/coach on the team. These descriptions are 100% accurate, especially the final part of Wilson’s.

Coach Ray- Longs to return to his high school days as a three sport star and lead in the school play. Would prefer that we hit irons off most tees and never hit the ball above the tree-line. This philosophy is exemplified by the tee shot he calls the “seed ball” or “crop duster.” Favorite place to hang out is tee boxes on par 3’s, closely followed by the Duck Blind at Dutch Goose.

Coach Rowe-Has a propensity to put hook spin on all of his short shots. Uses his knowledge of wedge play and chipping technique to dominate short game contests. Calls Butler National in Chicago “The greatest course in the world,” mainly due to his career round of 68 in September.

Wilson Bowen- Resident bio-mechanical and medicinal expert. On occasion hits his driver prodigious lengths. Also the only person I know that still carries a two iron. He is rumored to have killed a mountain lion on the Dish with only his bear hands and said two iron.

David Chung- Best distance runner on the team, by a close margin over Shane. Who lifts more weight is a matter that I am not allowed to disclose. Hits flop shots that would make Phil Mickelson jealous. Best known for his “pop catch” in which he makes a full swing with a wedge, hitting the ball straight up in the air and only three feet forward.

Andrew Yun- Formerly known as “Iceman,” rarely shows emotion on the course. Plays golf with machine like precision. Proud of his undefeated record vs. Coach Ray, as well as his two hole in ones on the 17th hole at Stanford.

Steven Kearney- Possibly the farthest and straightest driver of the ball on the team. Always has surfboard in his car, just in case... Known for winning last year’s Wilson Bowen Invitational at the Olympic Club. This year’s event has been named the Steven Kearney Invitational in honor of his phenomenal victory.

Andre de Decker-Deadliest with a wedge in his hands. Often scares the hole from 20-50 yards, as well as most greenside bunkers. Wields the long putter efficiently, rarely missing from inside 10 feet. Has a funny accent, probably Australian but possibly South African?

Shane Lebow- Most excitable team member, as well as most energetic. Master of the bump and run shot, as well as all shots from deep rough.  Always contends for victory in team runs, often surging ahead in the final lap to overcome leader.

Cameron Wilson (description by Andrew Yun): Resident geographical and political expert. More likely to be reading NY Times than to go on Facebook. Effectively uses wide hips to hit booming drives. Driest sense of humor on the team.

Patrick Grimes- Biggest proponent of using the long putter. Uses his long putter to make putts from everywhere, but also to attack playing partners that take too long or step in his line. A California native, he knows every single college golfer in the state of California.

Patrick Rodgers- Sometimes known as Daddy Longlegs for legs that reach to most peoples’ neck. Without a doubt wears the longest inseam on the team. Believes Indiana to be the greatest place in the world. Also is adamant that Q’doba is better than Chipotle. 

Marcel Puyat- Team’s best putter from 5-10 feet. Repeatedly bends down to pick his ball  out of the hole before he has made the putt. We do not know if he spends more time practicing or playing Words with Friends on his phone. Most forgetful, very prone to locking keys in car and leaving headlights on.

Cameron Wilson, sophomore from Rowayton, Connecticut

Straight down the middle with freshman Cameron Wilson

This interview was posted on gostanford.com 
Feb 25, 2011:

STANFORD, Calif. - Cameron Wilson's favorite golfer is not who you think it is. As a left-hander, one would assume the first year player from Rowayton, Conn. might answer Phil Mickelson, or Bubba Watson or for you historians of the game, the classy New Zealander, Bob Charles. Wilson's going with Seve Ballesteros, the swash-buckling Spaniard whose shot making skills and ability to escape from trouble were second to none when he was atop of his game.

Wilson's shot-making skills has made him a regular fixture in Conrad Ray's lineup this season, as he has played in all five events to date, carding a stroke average of 72.8, which ranks third on the team behind Andrew Yun and David Chung. He has recorded two top 10 finishes in five events, placing fifth at The Prestige at PGA West and tying for ninth at the Gifford Intercollegiate.

The ambidextrous Wilson advanced to the second round of match play at the 2009 U.S. Amateur and was named the 2009 Metropolitan Golf Association Player of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient in the history of the award.
He also excelled in another sport in high school in addition to golf - squash. And if you want to know he capital of Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan or the location of the Eastern Ghats mountain range, ask Cameron.

GoStanford.com recently caught up with Stanford's left-hander to discuss his transition to college life, his passion for soccer and his encyclopedic geographical knowledge.


Home course?
Shorehaven GC, East Norwalk, CT.


Favorite course you have played?
Friars Head, Long Island NY.


Course you would most like to play?
Augusta National.

Favorite golfer?

Seve Ballesteros.

Your dream golf getaway package?
Scotland, all the great links courses.


One swing thought you are always trying to remember?
Always complete my shoulder turn.


Best advice you can give a recreational golfer?
Work on your short game!


Favorite practice drill?
I love to hit balls at the telephone pole on our facility.


Favorite major championship to watch?
The British Open.


Earliest memories of playing golf?
I remember chipping/putting with my dad until it was dark. I was probably 3-4 at the time.


What's your most memorable round?
When I first broke 100, I was eight at the time.


What's your most memorable shot?
I was playing Andrew Yun in the US Junior Amateur back in 2008, and I was down three or four holes by the par 5 sixth hole. After hooking my drive into the trees, I hit a punch three iron around the trees, over/around a water hazard, and it rolled from 20 yards short of the green to about five feet.


Toughest hole at Stanford Golf Course and the key to playing it?
The third, you can't go left! But right is usually a tough par as well.


Best hole at Stanford Golf Course?
Number two, you must hit two good shots to have a birdie putt.


Longest hitter on the team?
Steven Kearney, mostly because his biceps are so big.


Who is the last guy on the team who want to face in a putting contest?
Andrew Yun.


Favorite ball mark?
It just has to be big enough to see.


Favorite club in your bag?
I like them all, can't play favorites.


Your dream foursome?
Myself, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods.


One thing you are constantly working on to improve as a player?
I'm always thinking about my putting.


Why did you decide to come to Stanford?
It is the ideal blend of golf and academics, not to mention the awesome campus, people, and weather.


Tell us about your introduction to French cheese at Isleworth?
Coach Rowe had some French friends that were in Orlando to see Disneyworld. They came and watched us, bringing along some wheels of cheese. Coach Rowe then put the cheese in our van before our round started...that van still reeks.


Tell us about your IHUM course taught by Tobias Wolf?
It was called "Journeys." We read and discussed books in which someone goes through a transformation. He gave some pretty intense lectures.


Funniest guy on the team?
Sihwan is always laughing about something.


Favorite Conrad Ray saying?
Too many to list...most common is "lipstick on a pig."

Is it true you have the biggest sweet tooth on the team?
It's pretty close between myself and Coach Ray.


Favorite spot on campus?
Apart from the Siebel Center, I would say the Oval.


Your most difficult challenge your freshman year?
Sleep! Also working on the road can be tough. Last trip I had to write a paper on the plane.

Tell is about your interest in squash?
I played for my high school team, and a bit in middle school. It was a great way to stay active in the winter and I enjoyed the chance to take a break from golf. Most of my peers played golf all year.

What are some of your interests other than sports?
I enjoy watching soccer a lot. I'm also I'm a big fan of Monty Python movies and shows. I played soccer growing up until high school. I would've loved to keep playing but golf became my main focus. When I was little I liked Man United because my British cousins brainwashed me. Then I realized that liking Man U was similar to liking the Yankees, so now I root against the big teams (Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal, Madrid...) But my favorite player is still a guy on Man U. named Paul Scholes.

Do you have any superstitions?
I already have enough to worry about!

Hidden talents?
I know a lot of obscure geographical knowledge. I guess I've always been good with maps, plus I took a geography course this fall and I still remember a lot of the countries/capitals.

Favorite movie?
Local Hero, a Scottish comedy from the 80's.

What's on your IPOD?
U2, Dire Straits, and a lot of the Beatles. Only a few dozen newer songs.