RIYADH, 29 August 2006 — Eighty-five Dirab Golf Club members were back in tournament mode on Friday after a month’s hiatus as they teed off for the August Monthly Medal tournament.
The 18-hole stroke play event was shelved last month as most of the players were on holiday.
David Michaud, in probably one of his finest rounds at Dirab course, shot a one-over 73 to clinch Best Gross honors. A 4-handicap golfer, Michaud could have also ran off with the First Division (0-9 handicap) title with a net score of 69 were it not for a rule that limits a player to one major prize.
American Ray Chaplow thus claimed the crown for the 0-9 handicap category with a net 71, one stroke ahead of Thai Somchit Nakhong, who checked in with a 72 for second place. Four strokes further back in third position at 75 was Gary Barbar, a Briton who recorded a slew of victories since returning as Dirab member early this year.
The centerpiece First Division, which had spawned some of the best golfers in the city, and for that matter Dirab Golf Club will be a member poorer with the departure of Mike Lazaruk.
Lazaruk, he of the signature satin-like black shorts and sunglasses, is to leave the Kingdom for good tomorrow after completing his tour of duty as trade commissioner of the Canadian Embassy.
Lazaruk, who has brought down his handicap to five in the four years of membership at Dirab, was presented with a souvenir oil painting of Dirab course by Dirab Golf Club General Manager Bouchaib El-Jadiani and DGC Committee chair Tom Matthews during the prize-giving ceremony. Lazaruk thanked the club for the kind gesture.
Seven sub-par rounds underlined the tight Third Division (19-28) battle with 28-handicapper Ian Evans hitting a seven-under 65 to claim the crown. Nigel Bennett and Tom Budnay, 23 and 28 handicappers respectively, finished second and third on countback after they both signed for a 67. Three players namely Mike Sweet, Arif Usmani and Tony Lizardo missed out on the prizes each with 68 in the division that drew the largest entries at 34.
Saudi national team player Omar Hariri clinched Second Division (10-18) honors with a 67, followed by Dennis Wilkie and Paul Chander in second and third with 68 and 70. Hariri played off 12 handicap while Wilkie and Chander both off 11.
The Ladies Division title went to Ganet Berta on 72 and the Junior Division crown to South African boy Michael Steyn on 71.
Karin McCrea and Liz Kennedy followed Berta with 76 and 78, while Christian and Sebastian Criticos captured the second and third positions with 72 and 80 behind Steyn.
The awards for longest drives went to Bruce Osborne and Berta in the men’s and ladies division and closest to pin to Dave Smith. Dirab Golf Club sponsored the tournament.
