Bateman, Ardfelt rule Almarai Golf Tournament 2017 at Nofa

RIYADH: Paul Bateman played solid golf on Saturday to win the Division A (0-16 handicap) title at the Almarai Golf Tournament, the first to be held at Nofa Golf Resort in 2017.
Bateman, with a 14 handicap, shot a net score of 69 in benign conditions, as he outstripped everyone else at the end of the 18-hole individual stroke play event.
Batemen dropped just two shots coming home on 38 for a gross score of 83. He tallied 45 in a rollercoaster front nine that saw him shoot an eagle three on the first hole only to go double-bogey, bogey, double-bogey and bogey over the next four holes. He closed with a pair of bogeys while unable to buy a par until the 13th that followed his second birdie of the day. Bateman only had one bogey, on 16, the rest of the way.
Mattias Ardfelt clinched Division A second place on 73 (82-9) with Russell Hardgrove in third place on 75 (82-7) and Willie Querida in fourth position on 76 (90-14).
Winning the Division B (17-28) crown was Ian McLure in countback over two other players. McLure had a 71, from a gross score of 90 and 19 handicap, the same net score posted by Billy Jordan and Paul Wilks who finished second and third respectively. Jordan had 93 and 22 and Wilks 91-20. Azman Mokhtar took the fourth position on 74 (98-24).
The event attracted 100 participants who all enjoyed a day out on the course with the weather cooperating, becoming pleasant as the round went on.
Malcom Jordan, CEO of IPNC, Almarai, thanked all participants during the prize distribution ceremony. Abdurahman Al Mazyad, event manager, Almarai, received a plaque of appreciation from Nofa Resorts GM Eamonn Hanlon.
The first prizes in both divisions are Ping G drivers, second prizes Puma cart bags, third prizes Taylormade metalwoods and fourth prizes Cleveland putters.
Participants each received a goody bag with a Greg Norman polo shirt and cap, a sleeve of Titleist balls, and hat clip with ball marker.
Nofa Golf Resort Manager Nishad Muhammed Kunju thanked the players and the tournament sponsor Almarai Company for their support to Nofa Golf Resort. Upcoming events are the February Monthly Medal sponsored by ALFALWA on Feb. 25 and the Hyundai Golf Tournament and Castrol Golf Tournament to be scheduled in March and April.