STA. ROSA, Laguna: Faisal Salhab has commented that he had a lovely junior experience growing up and playing in Saudi Arabia. These days, he and Khaled Attieh have their hands full as part of the Asian Tour caravan that has taken them to multiple countries in the region.
Such is the transformation of the Saudi duo who have both graced the pages of Arab News since they were children. Attieh still remembers the lengthy interview he gave to Arab News when he was still a bubbly 12-year-old, and says he still has a copy of the paper, while Salhab shot his first eagle at Dirab Golf Club in Riyadh as a 13-year old, a feat that was documented by Arab News.
“It’s crazy, unbelievable. (It’s) good to see you,” Salhab, 26, excitedly said on Friday after Arab News caught up with him at the driving range of Sta. Elena Golf Club, the location for the International Series Philippines, presented by BingoPlus.
Attieh, now 31, returned a wide smile and waved his hand after he realized who called him from behind.
There are five Saudis playing on the Asian Tour, including the reputed poster boy of Saudi golf, Othman Almulla.
Salhab and Attieh might have failed to make the cut at the elevated Asian Tour event but they will be moving on richer in experience and looking forward to a repeat visit to the Philippines given the chance.
They said: “This is our first time visiting the Philippines. Beautiful people; beautiful golf course; very good hospitality, and happy to be here. From what we have seen this will not be our last time to be here.”
Salhab said: “Sta. Elena is a gorgeous golf course. Tough fairways and greens. We are lucky to miss the rain.”
Salhab, who lives in Riyadh, shared that Golf Saudi’s new push is internal growth.
The Jeddah-based Attieh, who is the youngest amateur Arab golfer to have qualified for the Dubai Desert Classic, was 8 over after two rounds of the tournament at Sta. Elena following scores of 77 and 75, while Salhab was +11 (77, 78).
The Saudi pair, who are both explosive hitters, had made a number of cuts on the Saudi-backed Asian Tour and arrived in the Philippines from Macau.
They fly next to Hong Kong and Singapore before returning to Saudi Arabia.
Salhab said it had been tough on the golf tour, but he has learned to embrace it as it is a job they both have to do.
