RIYADH: Othman Almulla and fellow Saudi national team standout Turki Al Hussain served notice of their readiness for the coming GCC Golf Championship at Doha Golf Club in Qatar by winning top prizes in the 5th Annual Saudi Hollandi Bank Open Golf Tournament last Saturday at Dirab Golf & Country Club.

Almulla, long the face of amateur golf in Saudi Arabia, won Best Gross honors by one stroke over long-hitting Faisal Salhab who had to settle for third place in the First Division (0-9 handicap) won by Hong Chul Jung on 68 ahead of Stephen Thompson who made a 69.

Throw in Al Hussain, the Best Net winner, and you have three solid players that will represent the country in the regional tournament this week.

Almulla enjoyed a pretty solid round of 2-under 70 (35-35) where he had six birdies against four birdies.

"I'm very happy to have another win at Dirab, and to win a big event like the Saudi Hollandi Open, which have always supported golf in Saudi Arabia, is a great privilege," said Othman.

Salhab, a scratch golfer like Othman who is keen to make a good impression in his national team duties, fell short for Best Net crown on 71 after Othman birdied the par-4 No. 17.

Al Hussain, with an 8 handicap, assembled an sparkling 8-under 64 to become the low net winner of the tournament sponsored by long-time sponsor Saudi Hollandi Bank.

The Second Division (10-18) title went to Dr. Patrick Kennedy who returned a 66, with Spence Hawthorn and Khalil Abdul Jabbar claiming the second and third place on countback after they tied on 67.

In the Third Division (20-28), Rashid Amin was the champion on 67. The runner-up prizes went to Jon Woods 70 and Abbi Oluyadi 72.

The first three winners in the Ladies Division are Sigard Steinarsdottir 70, Paromite Mukherjee 71 and Hyejin Byoun 72.

The skill prizes for men's and ladies longest drive went to Hawthorn and Hayjin Byoun and closest to pin to Maqbool Butt.

The awards ceremony took place at the clubhouse aftr the competition,