Dirab opens new season with staging of Saudi National Day Golf Tournament on Saturday

Arab News
Saudi golfers, from left, Abdulrahman Harakati, Feras Houhou and Abdul Alothman during their practice round at Dirab on Tuesday for the Saudi National Day Golf Tournament. (AN photo)

RIYADH: The weather is finally improving after the hot summer months and with most of the players back from vacation, the 2016-2017 season starts at Dirab Golf & Country Club this weekend.
Fittingly, the season-opening event on Saturday is the annual Saudi National Day Golf Tournament sponsored by Almarai Company.
The wraparound season for 2015-2016 ended on May 28 with the final of the Match Play Club Championship 2016 won by Filipino ace Resty Sibug over German Ralf Schiffer 5 and 4. Though the season officially ended Dirab organized side events for intrepid players including the July Corporate Open Golf Tournament.
From Saturday, it’s back to normal at Dirab especially for those who didn’t touch their clubs because of the hot weather.
One of the biggest majors at Dirab, the Saudi National Day tournament exclusively sponsored by Almarai for many years now has attracted 110 players as of Tuesday, with some on the waiting list.
This two ball Texas Scramble format competition will have a 7 a.m. shotgun start, and the prizes scaled down to the fifth place. In addition to the major prizes for the winners up for grabs are skill prizes for men’s and ladies longest drive and closest to the pin. Also, each player will receive a goody bag courtesy of the sponsor at the registration booth.
DGCC Golf Manager Bouchaib El Jadiani said Dirab will serve Saudi traditional food during the tournament while Marriott Riyadh Hotel will take care of the usual breakfast-lunch buffet. To refresh the players are the Almarai products including yogurt and juices.