Resty Sibug and Regardt Basson earned bragging rights as first winners of the inaugural CEIEC Nofa-Dirab Golf Championship 2014 held at the weekend on two golf courses on the outskirts of Riyadh.

The Stableford format competition to be held annually as planned by the organizers attracted players divided into Group A (handicap 0-17) and Group B (18-36). There were 44 entries in Group A and a further 55 in Group B that played the first round Friday at Dirab Golf & Country Club and the second round Saturday at Nofa Golf Resort located in Tibrak 85 kilometers west of Riyadh along the new Makkah highway and which is part of the themed leisure park Nofa Resorts Complex.

Enjoying a rich vein of form, Filipino Sibug won the Group A title after compiling a two-day total of 77 points (40-37).

Fittingly, the triumph could be the last for Sibug before he goes on hiatus from the game as he is to have a surgery for hernia. Still, he has had a number of victories at Dirab including the 8th annual Zahid Tractor Open Golf Tournament in March, where he was the Best Gross champion, this season while last Saturday’s was his first at Nofa.

The 36-year old Sibug, a mechanical engineer by profession and Riyadh area manager at Saudi TKT Co. who played off 6 handicap, had two birdies in each of the two rounds.

His fourth birdie was one to remember for Candaba, Pampanga native Sibug. Standing over his putt on par-5 18 at Nofa, Sibug was keen to get the birdie if only to make his temporary exit from golf in style. The putter and ball did not let Sibug down as he converted the 54-footer.

Sibug set up the monster putt after his pitching wedge from 130 yards out reached the green that was guarded by a lake. After a 250-yard drive Sibug laid up with a 6-iron for his second shot. His other birdies were on the two par-5s at Dirab, 9 and 13, and No. 2 at Nofa.

The Group B winner South African Basson won his first-ever tournament, compiling a winning total of 77 (35-42) in his division.

The 32-year old Basson who works at Airbus Defense and Security got his long game going in the second round of the competition sponsored by CEIEC and COCC (Contact Office of Chinese Companies) in Saudi Arabia with American Express and Marriott Riyadh Hotel as co-sponsors.

Like any serious recreational golfer trying to improve his game the victory is a confidence boost for Basson.

David Meek was second in Group A on 76 with rounds of 42-34. Bahraini Khalid Salem was one point back on 75 (38-37) at third place, while South African Mark Campbell and Ichiro Ichiharo round out the first winners on 73 and 73 respectively. Campbell had rounds of 38-36 and Ichiro 36-37.

The next three places after the winner in Group B were via the countback following ties on 76. Qaiser Hussain (39-37) was second, Rees Gordon (37-39) third and Ruhan De Kock (41-35) fourth. Orazio Morretti took the fifth position on 75 (37-38).

Economic and Commercial Counselor Dr. Wang You of Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia attended the prize distribution ceremony at Nofa clubhouse along with Li Jiangang, deputy GM of CEIEC; Dr. Chen Xifu, deputy chief representative of Sinopec and chairman of COCC;

and Ni Zongtao, PR Manager of Huawei Company.

A lot of valuable raffle prizes in addition to the golf merchandise for the winners were given away during the prize presentation.