RIYADH: Mar Vera Cruz put together another brilliant round to emerge Division A (0-14) champions during the FGA (Filipino Golf Association) October Monthly Medal golf tournament at Riyadh Golf Club on the outskirts of Riyadh.
The ever improving 13-handicap Cruz, who practically had no sleep after arriving from Manila in the early hours of Friday, returned a net score of 4-under 69.
Cruz’s score stood as the best of the day with none in the higher handicap category able to even match his round.
FGA associate member Julian Bennett, with a 6 handicap, finished runner-up to Cruz on 73.
Ali Hernandez, another in a line of guest players in FGA-organized events, was the Division B (15-21) winner on 72 with Mike Dy-Liacco runner-up on 73. Hernandez played off 19 handicap and Dy-Liacco 21.
In the Division C (22-28) Stableford format competition, 27-handicap Frank Ranjo won by countback over Rem Baracoso, with a 28 handicap, after both players tied on 41 points.
The prizes for nearest to the pin went to George Mackay on No. 4 and Ely Corpuz on No. 17. Also, nine-year-old Lloyd Bantug was given a special award for his 41 points effort. Lloyd, son of FGA member Severino Bantug Jr., is an active junior golfer with a 26 handicap.
Forty-eight players participated in the penultimate event before the FGA Cup tentatively scheduled for Dec. 4, according to the hardworking FGA President Cesar Rosario. He said the FGA will represent three teams from Saudi Arabia in the 63rd PAL Interclub tournament to be held in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines in February 2010.
