RIYADH, 30 April 2004 — Shin Pil Young clinched best net honors and the top prize of a return air ticket to Kuala Lumpur to spearhead Korean domination in the Pakistan Day Open Golf 2004 Tournament at the Riyadh Golf Club course.
Barely three weeks after their hot display in the RGC Open, Korean golfers took the lion’s share of the prizes even as Filipinos swept the top three places in the Group A (0-11) handicap category.
A 14-handicapper, Shin bested fellow Koreans Kim Yun Soo and K.W. Parker on countback after the trio had tied net score of 68.
Filipino Bong Gabriel fell short by three but his score of 71 was good enough for the top prize in the category, a return air ticket to any destination in Pakistan.
Nelson de Leon, president of the Filipino Golf Association, finished first runner-up at 72 with another Filipino, Val Navarro, a stroke further back in third place at 73. All three Pinoys played off 11 handicap. De Leon had a gross 83 and Navarro 84.
Both 20 handicappers Kim and Parker respectively took the first two spots in Group B (12-20) category, while Korean lady golfers Kum Song Jun and Yong Hu Park finished 1-2 in their division. Javed Khan, another 20 handicapper, rounded out the top three finishers at 71.
RGC course record holder Briton Clark Windross took home the best gross trophy when he shot a three-under par 71 on nines of 36-35. RGC course manager V.T.M. Rafi claimed the second best gross prize after winning the countback over another Briton Ron Cowper. Rafi and Cowper both shot 79s.
Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza of Pakistan presented the prizes to the winners during the awarding ceremony. He was assisted by Dr. Tahir Paul, president of the organizing Friends Golf Club.
The tournament was sponsored by Gulf Air, which donated the return ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Pakistan International Airlines, Mehran Spices, Al Sehail Est. (Dr. Rao), Mr. Pervaiz, Aga Carpets, Pepsi Cola, Intercontinental Hotel, Marriott Riyadh Hotel, Sahara Hotel and Almarai Dairy Co. Ltd. The other prize winners were Paul, Tariq Javed, nearest to pin No. 4 and No. 15; B.J. Moon, longest drive; Song, most birdies; Stuart Vincent, most pars, Ronnie O. Dawal, most bogeys; De Azevedo, most active player and Tajamal Mustafa, best dressed player.
