Sipin, Smith lead winners at PGSA Founder’s Cup

Winners and PGSA members pose for a group picture.

Derrick Smith after receiving the Division A Gross champion trophy.

DHAHRAN: The PGSA (Pinoy Golfers Saudi Arabia) got its season off to a rousing start with the staging of the PGSA Founder’s Cup at the sprawling Ain Nakhl Golf Club in Abqaiq.
Seventeen golf enthusiasts in the Eastern Province teed it up shotgun style in cold weather Friday with temperatures ranging from 12 to 16 degrees Celsius.
The long-delayed tournament, originally scheduled last December, is the Pinoy golfers’ gesture of appreciation and thanks to their host, the Saudi Aramco golfers, for their unselfish support of year round golf.
The golfers enjoyed native Filipino delicacies served during the awards ceremony that followed the 18-hole competition at the ANGC main clubhouse.
The winners, Gross and Net champions from Division A (20 and below handicap) and Division B ( 21 and above ) were awarded with trophies in addition to bag-tag giveways given to all participants.
Adrian “Adee” Sipin of Saudi Aramco Dhahran was the Division B Gross champion and Erwin Danan of SLFE the Net champion. Taking runner-up honors were Jun Galindo of JGC Saudi Arabia and rookie golfer Jonathan Gonzales for Gross and Net respectively.
Saudi Aramco’s Derrick Smith claimed the Gross title for Division A with Chito Malabanan of Saudi Kad as runner-up.
Manny Dejelo of Saudi Aramco clinched the Division A Net crown via countback over Joe Francisco of Nesma.
Encouraged by the success of the tournament, the PGSA — composed of members Chito Malabanan, Jun Galindo, Manny Principe, Erwin Danan, Senan Angara, Joseph Francisco, Bong Tallorin, Jonathan Gonzales and Ronald Aquino — intends to hold another major tournament before the year ends.