Salman Aslam

4th Quaid e Azam Open Golf tournament was held from 10-14 December 2014 at the opulent and majestic Lahore Gymkhana Club course. The Shezan sponsored mega event was spread over 5 days. Event was meticulously planned and conducted in a befitting manner. Cushion of additional 2 days allocated for senor pros, amateurs and ladies who played over 36 holes really augured well. Resultantly positive aspect being that there was no commotion and congregations at tees. These categories really relished playing 36 holes. Thus providing them ample opportunity for recovery and posting good scores.

Weather was ideal for golf and low scoring. The field was stat studded. Competitive levels fierce.There was no paucity of time. Consequently event was orchestrated with clock like precision and synchronization.The main attraction was the professionals vying for the top slot and hefty prize money. Shabbir Iqbal fresh from his spectacular victory at Garrison Open continues to ride the high crest of glory being a hot favourite.

The pros match commenced in a melodramatic fashion. Dark horses like Tahir shot a scintillating round of 67. Day 2 was a day of vacillating fortunes. Shabbir came from behind and shot the best round of 68. Scoring was high a Tahir cracked under pressure with a dismal 77. Others who made a charge were Safdar from GWA, Talib and Matloob a solitary stroke adrift. Other performances were lacklustre. Grand finale on the 3rd proved decisive. Shabbir broke away from the chasing pack with a tantalizing performance and score of 68. Nevertheless the most electrifying and spell binding performance came from Danayal Jahangir who shot a mercurial 66.

In the end it was the elusive Shabbir who grabbed the honours with a singular feat and wide margin of 8 strokes over the runner up Talib who claimed 2nd spot on his own. 3rd pace was co shared By Danayal and Matloob 11 strokes adrift from the winner. Shabbir proved beyond any iota of doubt his vast supremacy over the rest of the field. He showed complete mastery in all facets of the game. He replicated all strokes under pressure. Shabbir exhibited vast array of shots in his armoury. Nailed his tee shots, hit maximum greens in regulation plus scrambling and sand saves for par were indeed phenomenal. Putting was also ultra-precise and workmanlike.The champ remains unruffled and unfazed during extreme pressure. This sterling at tribute separates him from the entire field. Richly deserves to win the tournament back to back. In the senior pros category champs of the nineties like Ghulam Nabi, Manzoor and others were seen trying to revive memories of their past glories. Dark horse Iqbal finally clipped in to win, In the ladies competition it was yet again Ghazala Yasmin who outclassed her opponents fairly and squarely. Her score of gross 74 on first day speaks volumes about her passion for golf. Rest of the field was completely annihilated. Tehmina another vintage golfer stood second.

Amateur section was dominated by Pakistan’s number 1 golfer Ghazanfar Mehmood. Hot on his heels he was tailgated by Taimur Khan and Wazir Ali. Finally Ghazanfar eclipsed Taimur in a nail biting finish and clinch title by a solitary stroke.

Senior Amateurs segment was dominated by Tariq Mahmood. A vintage and seasoned golfer in his hey days right from the outset to claim gross title. Ist Net was claimed by Wing Commander Nafay.

Prize Distribution ceremony was well organised and attended. The event proved to be a resounding success.