His last victory at Dirab now a distant memory, Alex Arellano must have felt like a first-time winner when he clinched Best Gross honors yesterday during the 2nd Saudi Hollandi Bank Open Golf Tournament 2013 at Dirab Golf & Country Club.

Arellano, one in a line of Filipino single-digit handicap players with a winning record, shot the low gross of the day – a 76, as he played good golf that mirrored his form in the PAL Interclub tournament little over a month ago in Cebu, Philippines.

The 47-year old Arellano drove the green on the par-4 eighth hole for a two-putt birdie from 30 feet. He also birdied the 14 when he dumped a wedge from 80 yards to within five feet of the cup and made the putt. Three bogeys on each nine were the only blemish in an otherwise tidy round for Arellano who shot nines of 38-38.

Arellano said he was well rested the day before in preparation for this tournament and that he was inspired playing in the same group with DGCC Golf Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani.

Sharing the stage with Arellano was David Hunt who won Best Net title on countback from Mark Davis after both players tied on 7-under 65 from identical gross score and handicap of 84 and 19.

Davis settled for the Second Division (10-19 handicap) title and was left to rue his botched opportunity as the prize that Hunt received in addition to the trophy was a SR 5,000 cash voucher courtesy of sponsor Saudi Hollandi Bank.

In a big day for Filipinos Ebrahim Zailon, enjoying his improved iron play, took the First Division (0-9) title while also winning the grand raffle draw prize of another SR 5,000 cash voucher, Fem Baracoso on 68 claimed the second place in the Third Division (20-28) and Mar Vera Cruz took third position on countback in the First Division on 77, right behind New Zealander Julian Bennett who matched Zailon’s card of 76 but lost out on countback.

Runner-up to Davis in the Second Division was Mohamed Subedar on 66 with Nor Halin in third on 68.

Jerry Don Carolis, a 24-handicap golfer, ruled the Third Division on 67 with Korean Song Sung-lae third on 69.

The Ladies Division winners were Liz Kennedy 71 and Kata Meagher 78.

The men’s and ladies longest drive award went to El Jadiani and Liz Kennedy while the closest to pin award winner was David Treadgold.

An early morning cool breeze that later gave way to a sun-splashed day greeted the participants that totaled 116.

SHB Managing Director Bernd van Linder attended the prize distribution ceremony along with Abunayyan Group Deputy General Manager Fahad Abunayyan and Dirab Golf Committee Chairman Tariq Javed.

Van Linder was impressed with the outcome of the event and said everybody enjoyed the fantastic tournament.

“I look forward to continuing relationship with Dirab,” said van Linder.

For his part, Abunayyan thanked SHB for sponsoring the event for the second straight year and hoped that its sponsorship would continue in the years to come.

Meantime, the organizing Canadian Community of Riyadh (CCOR) said registration is still open for the CCOR Canadian Open Golf Tournament 2013 scheduled Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Interested players may register at the club website www.dirabgolf.com, according to CCOR President Lynn Long.