JEDDAH, 26 May 2007 — The 2007 Mercedes-Benz Golf Classic was staged yesterday at the Desert Lakes Golf Club here. The competition sponsored by the Juffali Automotive Company was fiercely contested by the club members in the brisk wind and 40-degree temperatures.
Overall winner of the competition was Filipino Willy Querida, with divisional winners including division 1 and Korean lady golfer J. H. Lee in division three. The other winners were J.C. Kim, Sayed Bakri, J.M. Lee, S.K. Park, Nick Mercado, Asad Hameed and M.J. Cho.
Committee member Richard Johnson described the sand course, laid out over undulating desert with oil-impregnated greens lending a unique aroma to the swirling breeze and shallow depressions representing water hazards, as “very challenging.”
“Whatever your handicap achieved here, it will stand up anywhere,” he said.
The 18-hole course was completed in 1991 but the club’s origins stretch back to 1984 when a course was first laid out within the confines of the King Abdulaziz Airport which was still under construction. Originally intended mainly for the use of airport staff, the club expanded and was moved to its present location close to the Haj terminal after the Gulf War in 1990 because of security concerns.
Committee member Amr Kashoggi said that the club was investigating the viability of using waste-water to turn the current oil/sand browns into greens. “We would really like young Saudi members to join us and learn the game,” he said, adding that it is not just a solo game; “whole families can come and play together.”
The club boast a full competition calendar of club and sponsored events. A ‘Summer League’ runs from June through August for the intrepid competitor.
