Hussain brothers steal show in Fuchs Open Golf Tournament

RIYADH: Saudi national team members and brothers Abdullah and Turki Hussain shared center stage as the Best Gross champion and Men’s First Division winner in the 8th Annual Fuchs Open Golf Tournament 2014 at Dirab Golf & Country Club on Friday.
Three weeks after he graduated from the Riyadh College for Dentistry and Pharmacy with a degree in Dental Medicine, the 24-year old Abdullah had another reason to celebrate after shooting even par 72 on the flat but challenging layout to win Best Gross title on a windless, sun-splashed day.
“I’m really excited about the victory but I hope to replicate this on the regional level,” Abdullah said, referring to the overseas campaigns for the Saudi national team in future.
The long-hitting Abdullah mixed three birdies with a bogey and double bogey in a 37-35 round.
Abdullah started on No. 2 and promptly birdied the next hole, landing his 7-iron approach to the apron on the back of the elevated green and sinking the sharply breaking putt.
He double bogeyed the fifth hole and dropped another shot on No. 7 before pulling one back with another beautifully executed birdie on the par-5 9 where his wedge found the green in regulation and made the putt from 20 feet.
A monster drive of 335 yards left Abdullah with a 52-degree wedge for his second shot that reached the back of the green. Again, his putter cooperated as he rapped home a 25-foot downhill putt. He then parred the rest of the holes to close one of his best rounds at Dirab.
Along with his younger sibling Abdullah took up the game of golf at 14 and with the encouragement and support of his father, Dr. Fahad Hussain, progressed steadily to merit a place on the national team.
Friday, Abdullah not only won as Turki completed a Hussain double winning the First Division (0-9 handicap) on countback from Graham Gunn after they tied on 70. Dean Lewis was third on 72.
Philip Cortejos, chief risk officer at Alinma Bank, enjoyed good iron play midway through the round to claim Best Net honors on 7-under 65.
Ed Bulkely also contended for Best Net title but had to settle for the men’s Second Division (10-18) title on 67 with Albert Baster and Rohit Jamwal second and third on 68 and 71, respectively.
The Men’s Third Division (19-28) crown went to Azman Mokhtar who also had a 67, while Sonny Acance and Tom Trimble took the second and third position via the countback on 68.
The Ladies Division winners were Susan Tessier 74, Roberta Hobbs 74 and Carol Cormack 79.
Dan McLaughlin won the awards for longest drive and closest to the pin.
The sponsor representatives Mohammed Umar Ahmed and Ishaque D. C. of Alhamrani Fuchs Petroleum attended the awards ceremony. Also present was former Dirab Gof Committee Chair Nasser Uddin Siddiqui.