RIYADH,
May 29, 2001 – A full field of 128 players would be seen in action at the Dirab lush
green grass golf course when the two days first annual Saudi Arabian National Amateur Golf
championship gets under way from May 31 and June 1.
Our target was 120 but we have allowed eight more so as not to disappoint the game lovers,
said Jim Christie. Many players from Bahrain and Al Khobar have entered in this meet.
Practice round for all contestants is a day earlier and the final round of this gala is on
Friday, June 1. Hamed Mubarak Afnan is one of the hot favorite from Bahrain. From the
Kingdom, Ali Al-Sahli will be a thriller to watch and could surprise the pundits.
Pairings of the players in a random draw for the first round have been completed. All
start at the same time on different holes, Christie stated. Prince Talal Ibn Abdulaziz Al
Saud, the guest of honor, will host a luncheon for the participants and thirty
ambassadors. In addition, Floris Asingh, president and CEO of Shell Saudi Arabia, prime
sponsor for the event, will also grace the occasion.
Master of ceremonies, Muhammed I. Abunayyan, general manager and owner of Dirab golf and
recreation center will give the winners their trophies on June at Al Khozama hotel. Also
on hand for the presentation will be the deputy general manager, Khaled I. Abunayyan,
co-owner and the finance director for Shell Saudi Arabia, Paul Ratcliffe. |
