RIYADH: Flashing a big game that belied his tiny frame, diminutive Ibrahim Zailon of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh shot a sparkling net score of 6-under 67 to clinch the Division A (handicap 0-15) title in the Stesa February Monthly Medal golf tournament at Riyadh Golf Club on Friday.
The 14-handicap Zailon, a lefty, put together nines of 42-39 for a personal best of 81.
Zailon birdied No. 10 and dropped shots only on three holes — 12, 13 and 16 — in a remarkable display that was bettered only by the young Pakistani golf standout Omar Khan countryman Alex Arellano.
Khan, whose father Salman Khan also plays off a single-digit handicap, signed for a 5-over 78 to emerge Best Gross division champion with Arellano first runner-up on 80. Another Filipino hotshot, Eric Liquigan, was second runner-up on 81.
Veteran golfer Ray Chaplow and Edwin Añonuevo rounded out the first three Division A winners on 75 and 76 respectively.
Korean B.J. Lee, of Hyundai Co., drove 250 kilometers to Riyadh for the tournament and returned home a happy winner after clinching the Division B (16-21) crown on countback from David Cannon after both players tied on 68. An 18 handicap, Lee carded 45-41for a gross 86. Estefanos came second runner-up on 69.
In the Stableford format Division C (22-28), Koreans Young Suk-cho and Han Ki-woo took the first two places on 43 and 41 points. Richard Davies was third on 37 points.
Ganet Chaplow ruled the Ladies Division after pooling 35 points with Filipino lady golfer Elvie Henson and Thai Shanker Bisvas in second and third with 30 and 20 points.
B. J. Kim an Ben Torrefiel claimed the awards for longest drive and nearest to pin.
RGC Manager V. T. M. Rafi thanked the players and sponsor Stesa for helping make the event a success. Present during the awards ceremony were Stesa officers Didier Degret and Federic Facquer. Helping Rafi run the show were RGC staff Jayakaran and Haroon.
Meantime, three teams from Riyadh have started leaving in batches for the Philippines where they will take part in the 62nd Interclub Golf Tournament considered the biggest amateur golf team competition in the country. The tournament will be held Feb. 25 to 28 in Davao City.
The team includes RGC sponsored by Yousef Eddeewish, general director of Riyadh Golf Courses in Riyadh.
Teams:
RGC Team — Alex Arellano (team captain), V. T. M Rafi, Phil Jenkins, Richard Kautz Jr., Mario Vera Cruz, Adorable Laxa, Edwin Añonuevo, Ibrahim Zaylon, Bombino Pineda, Jose Abner Macapagal
FGA Riyadh — Cesar Rosario (team captain), Oscar Reyes, Eutemio Collarte, Benjamin Bollozos, Rene Layug, Ben Diaz, Rey Sambitan, Antonio Lizardo, Rudy Gamut
Green Tee Club — John Palalagi (team captain), Ali Hernandez, Juan Velez-Rosado, Nigel Bennett, Mark Campbell, Peter Stockdale, Atilla Soki, Yassin Palileo, Rene Mercado
Eric Liquigan (Middle East PAL overall coordinator)
