RIYADH, 30 November — Luciano (Lucky) Paran sizzled with a score 4-under par 69 to win the prestigious Philippine Airlines and Kentucky Fried Chicken-sponsored “FGA Championship Cup” golf tournament at the par 73-Riyadh Golf Club recently. The laconic champion with an unorthodox swing, roared and sent warning to rivals in the FGA’s yearending Battle of Champions by registering the best net score 69 that includes his lone birdie on the 5th hole and connecting a series of pars on the 12th, 13th and 15th hole en route to the first major title in his golf career.
For his feat, Luc Paran, a 22-handicaper who works as a Midline Search Operator at King Khalid University Hospital clinched the 20” champions trophy and the major prize — a round-trip air ticket Riyadh-Manila-Riyadh sponsored by Philippine Air Lines (PAL) through Jun Ordillano, the PAL-KSA country manger. It was the first major triumph and the second of the season for the lucky Luciano who had earlier won the Class B crown in the FGA Presidents Cup in March.
The Group ‘A’ (handicap 0-15) title went to Ben Diaz, whose score stood as the day’s best until Paran turned the table. The lanky Diaz, who works at Saudi Telephone Company bested via the count back abother veteran campaigner Elan Canuel, the FGA treasury and finance director, who both carded identical score of net 70. By ruling the Group A category, Diaz romped home with his champions trophy and Callaway golf bag sponsored by Kentucky Fried Cicken. Canuel, who settled as runner-up in Group A, also received trophy, a gift item and free cargo voucher donated by SkyFreight Forwarders through the company’s Centeral Province manger, Jimmy Hugo.
In Group B (handicap 16-24) the much-improved Severino “Jun” Bantug of Al Bank Al Saudi Al Fransi slog through another count back to rule the Group B category winning over Senan Angara after they both turned in similar score of net 72s. Bantug Jr. who plays regularly at The Palm Golf & Country Club at Hotel Inter.Con Riyadh brough home the champions trophy and Mizuno golf bag also sponsored by KFC. Senan Angara highlighted his comback bid by settling as runner-up and received trophy plus gift items and free cargo vouncher.
Ding Garcia, handicap-9 golfer and currently the FGA’s technical and tournament chief claimed the best gross trophy by registering gross score 82 that included an eagle on hole No. 12th for which he also won a special trophy. The other prize winners in this 18-hole event including ex-FGA president Abner Macapagal for most birdies (3), Emil Batino-most past (10), Lito Punay-most bogeys (13), FGA secretary Al-Zamora for the long and perfect drive, and Elan Canuel for nearest to the pin.
The one-day 18-hole event is principally sponsored by Philippine Airlines, co-sponsoring the event Americana Food Co and Al Ahlia Restaurant Co. the franchise holder of KFC through Mohammed Al Ghaleb and Amro Khateer, the marketing director and maintenance director respectively of KFC who distributor KFC T-shirts and caps to all the participants. SkyFreight Fowarders through Jimmy Hugo and Mawarid Food Company through Joey Garcia, marketing manager and Korean Palace Restaurant through general manager Son Soon-ho.
Capping the day was the awards-dinner at the residence of golf enthusiast Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis of the Philippine Embassy who presented the top prizes assisted by FGA President Chris Agunos. Also attending the awardsdinner ceremony are representatives of the sponsors.
