RIYADH: David Lloyd Bantug led a clean sweep of the major prizes by Filipino golfers at Lurpak Monthly Medal, the 2014 season-opening tournament at Palms Golf Club InterContinental Riyadh on Friday.

Sponsored by Danya Foods Ltd. the early morning tee off witnessed a full field of enthusiastic golfers of various nationalities. After a day of rain on Thursday, the weather was fantastic and the course was in perfect condition yet pin positions were very tricky and challenging even for the regulars.

The promising teenager Bantug, 13, played one of his best rounds of golf to win the A-Division (handicap 0-6) crown on countback from veteran Alex Arellano after the Filipino pair tied on 32 Stableford points. The lefty Bantug played off 5 handicap and Arellano 3 handicap, and their scores had to be compared three times — first the back nine then front nine and back six — before the tie was broken.

The B-Division (7-12) battle ended in another Filipino 1-2 finish with Joe Vallado a hands down winner over Alan Malawanda. Vallado tallied 40 Stableford points the equivalent of 4-under par in medal play while Malawanda returned 31 points.

Another teenage golfer and second generation FGA member like Lloyd, Marwan Calupas, won the C-Division (13-18) for his first major victory in a golf tournament with a level par 36 points. Roberto Mariano was runner-up on 31 points.

Evelyn Atanacio Jensen completed a big day for the Filipinos when she won the Ladies Division crown with a stunning score of 6-under 42 points.

The Icelandic husband and wife team of Einar Thorhallsen and Sigrid Thorhallsen won the nearest to the pin prizes.

During the awarding ceremony, Baby Joseph, assistant golf manager, thanked Danya Foods Production Manager Vagn Aage Jensen and Abdulrahman Abdoun, Butter Category Manager for their continuous great support by way of helping facilitate sponsorship to the event. InterContinental Recreation Manager Mounir Melliti expressed his delight in the success of the tournament with the participation of Danya Foods.

Abdulrahman Abdoun, butter category manager Danya Foods Ltd., handed out the trophies and prizes to the winners assisted by Joseph and club professional Mohd. Anwar Naz.

The event concluded with a sumptuous buffet lunch.

Meanwhile, the club announced the forthcoming major golf tournament, Lincoln-InterContinental Riyadh Golf Championship 2014, to be held March 7 and 8.