Mead rules SGBS tourney at Dirab

The Saudi Golf Business Society (SGBS) took the first step toward its goal of helping grow the game of golf in the country with a limited field tournament on Thursday at Dirab Golf & Country Club on the outskirts of Riyadh.
There were only 20 players that participated in this first tournament of the SGBS but no matter the core members were upbeat about the future of their newly formed group which complements a host of existing golf communities in Riyadh.
“We are targeting membership of about 200 in the near future composed of Saudis and expatriates with affiliates from Jeddah and the Eastern Province,” said SGBS President Abdullah Masoud, CEO of In2sol, a business solutions company.
SGBS aims to create a link between Saudi businessmen and the expatriate community, according to Masoud adding they hope to attract more Saudis to take up the game of golf and that it is easier for them to start since they now have a community to join.
As well as promoting awareness and development of the sport SGBS is keen to play its part in the enforcement of golf rules and etiquette, Masoud said.
Along with Masoud two other officials namely Fahad Almansour, captain, and Fady Le Jreij, media and PR manager, attended the SGBS inaugural tournament. Riyadh Abo Abah, vice president, did not make it.
On the golf course, Morgan Mead won first place in the Best Gross category and Hitesh Valla in Best Net with scores of 71 and 64 respectively.
Taekwondo master M.S. Kim finished second to Mead on 76 with Saudi national team player Almansour third on 78.
The Best Net second place went to Joe Vallado on countback over Masoud after both players tied on 67.
Mead also claimed the award for closest to the pin while Masoud and Anne Quintino ran off with the men’s and ladies longest drive award.
Playing in an elite group with Kim and Almansour Mead was simply the best on the day as he shot nines of 34-37.
So consistent was Mead a bogey on the par-5 15th was the only blot in an otherwise immaculate round where he holed in birdies on four, seven and 18.
The awarding ceremony took place after the last group checked in at the clubhouse. From Nature Restaurant sponsored food for the participants.
Among the aims of SGBS, Masoud said they hope to discover talent from the grassroots level under the Rising Star program.
SGBS enjoys the support of DGCC, golf course owner and Saudi Golf Federation President Khaled Abunayyan and DGCC Golf Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani without whose backing the SBGS idea would not have been a reality, said Masoud. An exchange program with clubs from within the country and abroad and charity golf events would also be high on the agenda, he added.