Ali Hassan heralded his arrival as an exciting new player who could help boost the Saudi game when he won his debut tournament at Dirab Golf & Country Club on Saturday during the 2013 SABB Open Golf Tournament.

Back to the Kingdom for good from the United States, the 21-year old Hassan claimed Best Gross honors after he shot a tidy round of 1-over 73 in ideal playing conditions.

Also, national team players Abdulrahman Almansour and Faisal Salhab won the Best Net and men’s First Division (handicap 0-9) on 67 and 73 respectively in a big day for Saudis in this 18-hole stroke play competition that attracted 124 golfers of different nationalities.

The Saudi trio actually tied on gross score of 73 but Hassan had the best back nine score of 35 when the countback was applied to break the tie giving him the Best Gross trophy. Salhab's back nine total was 36 and Abdulrahman 37.

Jose Vigil, with a 5 handicap, came second to Salhab on 74 with Filipino Resty Sibug in third place with a 75 in the First Division.

The men’s Second Division (10-18) first two winners were determined via the countback with Steve Hunter taking first place and Japanese Ichiro Ichihara second place after they both returned 70s. Spence Hawthorn took the third position on 72.

In the men’s Third Division (19-28), first place went to Takuya Nakanishi who matched Abdulrahman’s 67 but lost out to the young Saudi on countback. Murad Mirza was second on 68 and another Filipino, Joe Vallado, third on 69.

Dirab Ladies Group captain Denize Holding posted a net sore of 73 to win their division. Chiara Formenton took second place after a 76 while Liz Kennedy wound up third on 80.

The longest drive awards for men’s and ladies went to Eric Liquigan and Meg Fordham, while Mark Campbell took home the closest to the pin plum.

After hitting the turn on 38, Hassan birdied the par-3 11 and the par-5 No. 13 before dropping a shot on the 15th hole for a 35 coming in.

DGCC Golf Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani only has praises for scratch golfer Hassan after they had played a round together, saying he is different from the others in that he is more accurate and consistent. In no time Hassan will be a great value to the Saudi team, El Jadiani said.

SABB Managing Director David Dew handed out the trophies and golf merchandise prizes to the winners along with Fahad Abunayyan, deputy general manager of Abunayyan Sons Group and Saudi Golf Federation member of the board. Also present at the awards ceremony were Dirab Golf Committee Chairman Tariq Javed and Jadiani.

Night Open Golf Tournament

Meantime, the 1st Annual Crescent Moon Night Open Golf Tournament will tee off this Friday on the occasion of 20 years anniversary of Dirab Golf & Country Club.

El Jadiani said the Texas Scramble format competition will have a limited field of 72 players and 36 teams. As off press time, 62 players have alredy registered, according to El Jadiani.

To be played on the front nine two times under lights to complete 18 holes the event will have a 5:30 p.m. shotgun start. Barbecue dinner will be served after the tournament.