RIYADH — The 7th annual Alawwal Bank Open Golf Tournament 2018 took place on Saturday with veteran British golfer Clark Windross turning back the hands of time to claim Best Gross honors at the Dirab Golf & Country Club outside of Riyadh in Durma. In near-perfect conditions Windross made a successful return to competition following a knee surgery to shoot a winning score of 1-over 73. He mixed three birdies on Nos. 2, 13 and 16 with four bogeys. South Korean Dongsoon Kang emerged as the Overall Best Net trophy winner on 6-under 66 from a gross score of 81 and handicap of 15. Elsewhere, Mattias Ardfelt fired a 5-under 67 (75-8) to rule the Men’s 1st Division. Filipino Resty Sibug tallied 1-under 71 (77-6) and took the second spot while Gary Davis had an even par card of 72 (75-3) in third place. Another Filipino Luke Lacaden clinched the champion trophy in the Men’s Second Division (10-18 handicap category) on 4-under 68 (86-18). Saudi Abdurahman Al-Othman was second on 71 (84-13) via the count back against Dr. Sandy Gupta, who was third also on 71 (84-13). American Tim Moon continued to show an improved game to win the Men’s Third Division (19-28) on 1-under 71 (97-26). Benjamin Santuyo won the countback for first runner-up from Murad Mirza after both players tied on 72 from gross scores and hnadicaps of 93-21 and 72 93-21 respectively. Dirab Ladies Captain Roberta Hobbs took the Ladies Division championship trophy on four under 68 (91-23). Pia Engborg 72 (106-34) and Chan Hwi Lee 72 (86-16) were second and third placers in the tournament. Pakistan Ambassador Khan Hasham Bin Siddique won the skill prize for closest to the pin (unisex), while Jalhan Kim took home the men’s longest drive award. The major winners received Raymond Weil luxury watches, trophies and golf merchandise (Honma Golf Bag /Clubs) courtesy of Alawwal Bank. Valuable electronic and golf items were raffled off too. Alawwal Bank Managing Director Soren Nikolajsen handed out prizes to the winners assisted by Dirab Golf Club Committee Chairman Tariq Javed and Dirab Golf Club General Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani . The VIP guests that attended the event included Ambassador Joost Reintjes of Netherlands, Ambassador Khan Hasham Bin Siddique of Pakistan, Ambassador Tony Cotter of Ireland and Ambassador Luca Ferrari of Italy. Dirab Golf & Country Club management would like to thank Alawwal Bank MD Nikolajsen and his marketing team for supporting the event and helping promote golf sport Saudi Arabia. — SG