Of the winners none had more compelling a performance than senior golfer Garcia, who won the Class A (0-14 handicap) crown to end a four-year title drought.

Chipping it close to the pin in a silky smooth touch around the greens, the 12 handicap Garcia shot a sparkling net score of 67, 5 under on the par-72 rolling layout.

Actually, Garcia had a singularly outstanding display that he also would have nabbed Best Net honors on a windless sunny day were it not for a rule that the higher category prize will be awarded in case a player won two prizes.

Lualhati, another player to have not won a trophy in a long time with a 10-handicap, was second to Garcia on 69 with Verlie Quindoza a stroke back in third position, winning a three-way countback over Resty Sibug and Mar Vera Cruz.

The veteran Infante missed the Class B (15-21) title by one after shooting a 70 to winner Dennis Catapang’s 69. Hermie Gonzales reaped the reward of his daily practice rounds during the Eid holidays when he claimed third place in the division by countback from Edwin Valerio after both players carded 72 in the full handicap stroke play competition.

Kalayaan Cup winner Lucio Lacaden claimed back-to-back Class C (22-28) victories as he returned the top Stableford points of 41. Eleven-year-old David Lloyd Bantug, representing the FGA’s second generation of players, took the second position on 38 with Alfonso Ablola third on 37.

The winners of the special awards were: Richard Gaas (Best Gross) 77, Sibug (Best Net) 70, Jun Geronimo (Nearest to the pin), Mark Davies (Most Accurate Drive) and Pampie Desquitado (Sportsmanship award).

Eighty-six players including two from Jeddah participated in the event organized by the Filipino Golf Association headed by president Howard Laurente and sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh with support from the Cameraderie Club and Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.

The Philippine Embassy donated the handsome Bohemia crystal trophies from the Czech Republic. Also, Philippine Embassy golfers Taj Guinomla, Jimmy Manabat, Ebrahim Zailon, Ding Manalao and Nino Balagtas donated customized FGA mugs as giveaways for each player.

Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago attended the event in what he said was his first official function as the Philippines’ ambassador to Saudi Arabia having presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Prince Saudi Al-Faisal on Wednesday.

A beginning golfer, Tago hit the ceremonial drive after the tournament followed by the sumptuous lunch and awards ceremony at the RGC clubhouse.

Laurente presented Tago a plaque of appreciation for his support of the Filipino golfing community and the tournament held in his honor. Laurente also thanked the Riyadh Golf Courses management led by General Director Yousuf Eddiweesh and Director of Golf V. T. M. Rafi.

This was the first tournament at RGC since the summer break. The monthly medal for September will be held on Sept. 30, according to Rafi.