Freeland-Jackson wins July Corporate Open Golf Tournament at Dirab

Champion team Mike Freeland and Jerome Jackson with their trophies and prizes. (AN photos)

Winners pose for a group picture.

RIYADH: The American pair of Mike Freeland and Jerome Jackson posted a surprise victory in the July Corporate Open Golf Tournament on Saturday at Dirab Golf & Country Club on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Without a winning record at Dirab, Freeland and Jackson, flashing a solid game that belied their 13 team handicap, shot a sparkling net score of 58 to beat the Filipino tandem of Resty Sibug and Aries Ramirez by 2 strokes in the two ball Texas Scramble format competition.
Sibug and Ramirez finished on 60 in a tie with the Koreans Dong Soon Kang and Chan Hwi Lee but won on countback by comparing the back nine scores 34-39.
Until the eventual winning team came in the Filipino pair’s was the score to beat, with Sibug inspiring senior golfer Ramirez who played the game of his life to score a pitch-in eagle on a set-up by his playing partner on the par-4 No. 8.
Sibug and Ramirez carded a gross score of 69, 3-under on the flat but challenging layout. Freeland and Jackson shot 71 (36-35), with three birdies (11, 12 and 15) against two bogeys (10 and 16) on the back nine.
The low gross of the day, a 68, belonged to New Zealander Julian Bennett and Arshad Mahmood and their 6 handicap gave them a net 62 in fifth place to round out the first five winners, while the father-daughter team of Clark Windross and Amy Windross took the fourth place on 61 from gross score of 69 and 8 handicap.
Dong and Chan Hwi, with 73 gross and 13 handicap, settled for the third position.
Clark and Chan Hwi won the awards for men’s and ladies longest drives. Bennett nabbed the closest to the pin plum.
Dirab Golf & Country Club sponsored this off-season tournament. Marriott Riyadh Hotel sponsored the gift vouchers.
Besides the trophies the winners received prizes of golf merchandise.
The 2016-2017 season does not open until September with the staging of the Saudi National Day Golf Tournament on Sept. 24. Almarai Co. is confirmed as the sponsor of this tournament.
To follow the season-opening tournament are more major events for the benefit of golf lovers in the Kingdom.