RIYADH, 17 April 2006 — The Filipino golf community organized two farewell tournaments in honor of outgoing Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla, who missed one and gamely competed in the other held on Friday at the Dirab Golf Club here.
Both events supported by members of the Filipino Golf Association, a dynamic group of golf-loving Filipinos in Riyadh, will be best remembered for the good golf as well as the tons of fun and bonding they engendered.
“I will always remember this group of golfers in Riyadh. I will miss their company when I take up my new post in Turkey,” said Guinomla in his speech during the awards ceremony at the Phippine Embassy in Riyadh chancery. He was presented with a crystal memento by FGA President Rene Layug.
The first official FGA farewell event was held on March 31 and like the second was memorable with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis and Special Envoy to the Gulf Roy Cimatu in attendance.
Surprised to see not one golfer bronzed from playing, Cimatu said he felt confident of victory only to be further surprised with a welter of low scores.”It really surprised me that there are so many good golfers in Riyadh,” he said.
Playing in the afternoon under a scorching sun, 10 groups of four players each teed-off for the second tourney arranged by the Dirab Bankers’ Group and sponsored by Nour Al-Maaref International School owned by Mazen Abdul Mohshen Al-Tawil and under new management led by administrator Liwayway Vera Cruz.
Rudy Pranga, an engineer with Saudi Telecom, shot a career hole-in-one on the par 3 147-yard No. 4 with a 7-iron and a Titleist ProVI ball that travelled straight into the cup after landing and bouncing once at the green apron.
That was not the only highlight, as the Class A (handicap 0-19) field of 17 years had only three players failing to reach par or better underscoring the depth and quality of play.
And, there were the usual winners: Alex Arellano and Eric Liquigan, arguably two of the best Filipino golfers in the Kingdom, finished champion and first runner-up in the class. Arellano shot a sparkling round of five-under-par 67 and Liquigan a 68. Both players had an 8-handicap with Arellano shooting a gross 75, three over on the par-72 Dirab layout, and Liquigan a 76.
Boiet Carigma, with a 17 handicap, also returned a net 68 as did Ambassador Guinomla. Carigma was beaten by Liquigan for second place in the countback where he settled for second runner-up over Guinomla.
Oca “The Ironman” Domingo used a hot back nine to win Class B (handicap 20-28) via the countback over Jess Manalo after both players with identical 23-handicap signed for a three-under 69. Mohammad Ali Isman was second runner-up on 71.
Ely Corpuz claimed the longest drive award and Pranga the nearest to pin.
Yassin Palileo was designated tournament commissioner in the afternoon shootout.
Liquigan claimed Open Divison honors in the Stableford format event at Riyadh Golf Club with a massive 46 points.Edwin Añonuevo was runner-up on 31.
The A Division title went to Carigma with 45. In second place was Fawaz Al-Hokair Co. Maintenance Manager Nelson De de Leon who pooled 42 points, while SABB’s Chris Agunos wound up third on 41.
Three were tied on 43 points in the B Division race and when the countback was applied Dennis Catapang took first position, Rene Renton second and Cimatu third.
The Beginner Division was won by Rene Mercado with 23 points.
The awards for longest drive and nearest to pin went to Anonuevo and Ben Bollozos.
