RIYADH, 20 May 2007 — Score one for Kingdom golf. About two years after the junior program was implemented the first Saudi Junior Open Golf Championship 2007 was organized at the weekend.
The two-day 36-hole event was played at the Dirab Golf Academy par-3 course, which was opened early this year to the public for the benefit of golfers of all skill levels.
Leading the winners were Khalid Eddiweesh and Abdul Rahman Al-Mansour who claimed Best Gross and Best Net honors in the tournament that is part of the Saudi Golf Committee’s efforts to promote the Saudi game specially among the country’s youth.
Eddiweesh compiled a two-day total of 136 (70-66) and Abdul Rahman returned a net score of 97.
Abdullah Hussaini carded 140 to finish second in the Best Gross category followed by Mansour Al-Mansour 140, South African lefty Michael Steyn 152 and Arthur de Parcevaux 160.
Hiba Khan wound up second to Abdul Rahman on 131. Pawlak Thibault came in third on 116, Mohammad Al-Mishal fourth on 124 and Turki Al-Hussaini fifth on 125.
French teenager Hestia Maillet emerged girls’ division net winner with a 116 total with H. Khan in second place with 131.
The prize distribution ceremony took place at the clubhouse on Friday. Ali Belharith, captain of the Saudi national golf team, presented the prizes assisted by Dirab Golf Club Manager Bouchaib El-Jadiani and Dirab Golf Committee member Barry Steyn.
Meantime, Kingdom No. 1 Othman Almulla returned to the country for the school summer break from the United States where he is pursuing his university studies at the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. He participated in the qualifying during the weekend for the national team at Dirab Golf Club, where he shot 4-over on the first day and 6-under on the second day. Three big events are lined up for the national team namely the Red Sea Open, Pan Arab Golf Championship and GCC Championship.
Almulla told Arab News in a phone interview from Dhahran, where he is based, his game is better as ever and that he has a new coach in the US.
Almulla made history when he became the fist Saudi and youngest Arab at 21 to qualify to play at the Dubai Desert Classic, a European Tour event which was held Feb. 1-4 at the Emirates Golf Club.
