Salman Aslam

This event was the high tide and culminating point of golfing season prior to advent of Ramzan. It was a grand finale to the golfing calendar of 2016-17 for LGG&CC. The atmosphere was stunning and phenomenal. The sweltering heat took its toll on the players’ especially the older geriatrics. The entire cantonment was adorned, embellished and bedecked with massive posters. Club itself was emblazoned and gave an aura of festivity and carnival like ambiance. The razzle –dazzles and hustle bustle really was staggering. The entire event was programmed with clocklike precision. Souvenir’s and mementos were generous which exhibited the extravaganza of the sponsors. No one scored an ace much to the relief of hole in one car sponsors. Golf aficionados and connoisseurs really had a bash. The new committee of management led by the gunners were steadfast to their motto of precision and meticulousness.

The conduct of the competition was par excellence. Kudos and accolade for the gunners for their superb conduct. Pace of play was swift with no hold ups. Procedure at par 3 call holes was stringently observed. Rules committee did a good job monitoring and rambling on the course. There were no hiccups and snags. Special events for junior golfers were also staged to bolster golf amongst the young aspirants. Talent hunt needs to be geared. There is a need to have rules & etiquette seminars to infuse and instill familiarity with the games rulings and decisions. Panel of referees must be formed at PGA and PGF level to monitor all events.

In this event winner is declared with a best net score spread-eagled over 3 days.The other defining feature of this event is the entry of teams with 4 players each. 3 best scores each day contribute to a team’s overall performance. Lahore Garrison teams secured the winner and runners up slots.

Senior amateur’s category was another gruelling event where amateurs who dominated the last decade grappled. Mostly comprising age bracket 55-69 (sexagenarian) Assad Khan stole the honours by carding gross 78. Mian Tariq and Wing Commander Umar close on his heels.

The veterans in age bracket of septuagenarians and few octogenarians like played scintillating golf. Ladies entries were dismal. Leading lady golfers were missing. 

Finally a glittering field of amateurs scrambled and battled for top honours and the prestigious Corps Commander Cup. Damil stunned the field with a staggering and electrifying performance. He opened the proceedings on day 1 with a lowest score of net 66. On day 2 he did not wilt under pressure and scored stupefying net 62. On day 3 he succumbed to match pressure and his score was not in commensuration with earlier performances. His closest rival coming within striking distance as the lead was reduced to mere 2 strokes. It is well-nigh not possible to judge the vagaries of game of golf.Scoring on the 2nd day was exceptionally high with heat playing a pivotal role. On the third day this trio broke away from the chasing pack. Damil scored a mercurial round of net 62. Rest of the field crumpled, wilted and faltered under duress. Scores were appalling. Damil again gave a stunning display of his repertoire in all facets of the game. His booming drives split the fairway. His forte and metier the power fades. Iron shots to greens in regulation were mesmerising. Deftness and touch around the green was magical. Wedge play and flops made him scramble pars. Sand saves also enabled him to break away from the chasing pack.

The chief guest on the prize presentation ceremony was Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali. Prizes were up for grabs. Sponsors showed ample generosity by showering plethora of prizes. Coveted Corps Commander Cup was awarded to upcoming teenager Damil Atta Ulla. Team B of LGG&CC won team trophy.Results of subsidiary events appended below:- 

• Longest Drive prize was won by Aamir Iqbal Yazdani. 

• In Closest to the Pin category was won by Lt Gen Imtiaz Shaheen (Retired). 

• In the Amateurs Gross Category, the 1st prize was won by Muhammad Saqib of LGG&CC with 216 gross. 

The 2nd position went to Ghazanfar Mehmood of Garden City Golf Club with 217 gross while 3rd position won by Abdul Zahoor of Multan with gross 220. In net competition Damil Ata Ulla (206), who won the championship trophy Corps Commander Cup 2017 Ayaz Salem (208) and Col Rustam Ali Chatta (Retired) (208) won 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Ayaz Salem got the prize for a better aggregate on last 18 holes as per format.

• In the Senior Amateur Gross Category 18 holes match 1st prize was won by Assad Khan from Lahore Gymkhana with 78 while the 2nd slot was won by Wing Commander Muhammad Omar Khan (Retired)with gross 80 and 3rd position won by Mian Tariq Pervez of Lahore Gymkhana with gross 81. In net competition members of LGG&CC bagged all the 3 prizes up for grabs. Retirees showed glimmer of their past by taking laurels. All 3 coveted prizes were bagged by them. 1st, 2nd and 3rd position went to Maj Muhammad Qamar-ul-Haq (Retired), Lt Col Manzoor Hussain (Retired) and Brig Tahir Salem (Retired) respectively. 

• The Senior Officers Match in Gross Category 9 holes 1st position was clinched by Air vice Marshal (Retired) Hassan Rana, runners up won by Maj Gen Muhammad Tahir (Retired) and 3rd position honours went to Maj Gen Omer Farooq Burki. In net category winner was Maj Gen Azhar Naveed Hayat Khan runners up Maj Gen Sajjad Rasool and 3rd slot bagged by Maj Gen Zafar Iqbal.

• In the Veterans Gross Category 9 hole match septuagenarian’s the 1st prize won by Brig Amman Ulla khan (Retired) 2nd Col Abdul Razzaq Bugti (Retired) and 3rd position won by Lt Col Javed Butt (Retired). While in net segment the 1st position was won by Raja M Nazir, the 2nd position won by Col Z. A Minhas (Retired) and 3rd position won by Col SabahUddin (Retired).

• In the Ladies Gross Category played over 36 holes the 1st prize was won by Ghazala Yasmin of LGG&CC with 159 gross, 2nd prize grabbed by Mrs. Sameea Javed Ali of Lahore Gymkhana with 176 gross and 3rd prizes was won by Ms. Zaib UN Nisa of Royal Palm with 184 gross. While in net the 1st position was won by Ms. Ana Games Gill of Royal Palm with 138 net while 2nd position went to MS Zahida Durrani of LGG&CC with 139 and 3rd prize was won by Ms. Shabana Waheed of LGG&CC with 141 net.

Boys Gross Category (15-18 Years) 1st prize was won by Muhammad Nasir of LGG &CC with 44 while 2nd prize won by Yassin Intikhab of Lahore Gymkhana with 50. In Net competition, Talha Kara mat and Zarar Khan of LGG&CC won 1st and 2nd position respectively.

Girls Putting Category, Ms. Adina Attaullah won 1st position while Fatima Shafqat won the 2nd position.

PGF must exploit the immense talent in this youngster by giving him extensive training to nurture and groom him at the highest-level. . . . .

Finally the management warrants kudos and accolade in holding the competition in a meticulous, painstaking and dexterous manner. Massive improvement is visible all around. Swimming pool with its refurbished look looks tempting to beat the heat spell.Three cheers.

Col Salman Aslam (Retired) is ex Treasurer PGA [2000-2008].