Sibug Best Gross champ; Bennet, Carigma, Al Helaissi bag titles in Kalayaan Cup

Christer Rem Sibug scored a confidence building victory ahead of his first tournament in the United States by winning the Best Gross title in the Kalayaan Cup Golf Tournament last Friday at the Nofa Golf Resort.
Displaying a much improved game under new swing coach Omar Dungca who mentored him for two months while in the Philippines, Sibug shot a 79, six over on the par-73 layout, a newly opened golf course located in Tibrak 85 kilometers west of Riyadh along the new Makkah highway and which is part of the themed leisure park Nofa Resorts Complex.
Rem won by one stroke from Julian Bennet, the New Zealander friend of the organizing FGA (Filipino Golf Association) married to a Filipino who, however, did not go home empty handed as he captured the Class A title on 73 from a gross of 80 and handicap of 7.
Rem, 15, highlighted his tidy round with a birdie from long range on the par-5 first hole and a great par-save with a long chip from 30 yards.
In less than three weeks, Rem will travel to the US for the 2014 Veritas World Junior AAU Junior Olympic Games Golf Championship at Tustin Golf Course in Tustin, Los Angeles, California on July 22-24. Rem will be accompanied by his father, outgoing FGA President Resty Sibug, and the rest of the family members.
Rem is sponsored by the Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga, Philippines. Nofa Golf Resort also donated four golf polo shirts to Rem whose participation in a big event in the US has generated a lot of interest from the golf community in Riyadh to the point that a number of individuals have made sponsorship contributions.
American Rusty Dagget, another in a line of FGA friends, stole some of the thunder from Rem, taking the Best Net crown on 69 in addition to winning the nearest to the pin (No. 12) and longest putt (No. 18) awards in the tournament sponsored by Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.
John Spitz was Class A first runner-up on 76 with Sam Montgomery second runner-up via the countback after he and Abner Macapagal tied on 76.
Boiet Carigma ended a long victory drought when he won the Class B crown on 71 from a gross of 88 and 17 handicap. Danny Naval, with an 18 handicap, was first runner-up on 73 and Jun Geronimo second runner-up on 76 (99-23).
Saudi golf enthusiast Abdulaziz Al Helaissi, SAMA deputy governor for supervision, tasted the first victory of his career after he won on countback from Gil Verano for the Class C crown. Al Helaissi and Verano had matching cards of 72. Eboi Razon was second runne-up on 77.
Ambassador Ezzedin Tago attended the awarding ceremony and presented trophies to the winners. Resty thanked the embassy for sponsoring the annual event and the Nofa Golf Course for allowing FGA to use its facilities. Rem
After the tournament, players were given a guided tour of the complex by golf designer and landscape manager Barrie Gregson, who said they are planning to open its doors to the public by March next year for it to enjoy the African Village, Solar panel farm and safari tour viewing.