Salman Aslam

Quaid e Azam Open Golf tournament was held from 9th to -11th February 2018 at the opulent and majestic Lahore Gymkhana Club course. The magnanimously sponsored golfing extravaganza was of 3 days duration. Event was meticulously planned and conducted in a befitting manner. Event unfortunately clashed with Garrison Open Golf being held concurrently at Garrison Golf Club.

Consequently the amateurs were split between the two tournaments. Seniors and some ladies manged to squeeze in as garrison event were spread over 4 days with a cushion space. Pakistan’s new golfing sensation Ahmed Baig fresh from his victory at Qatar opted to play at garrison and won by a whopping 12 strokes. Some semblance of coordination is required to ensure that competition dates are staggered. The main feature of Quaid e Azam Amateur was its return to the golfing calendar after lapse of many years. Golf Committee deserves accolade for its return. The other feature was that coveted trophy was to be played on best net score. Entry of 18 handicapper’s having tremendous incentive to win was indeed encouraging.

The sponsors offered really lucrative prizes as an additional incentive.

Weather was ideal for golf and low scoring. The field was star studded. Competitive levels fierce. There was no paucity of time. Consequently event was orchestrated with clock like precision and synchronization. The main attraction fell in the net category vying for the top slot and elusive trophy..

The match commenced in a melodramatic fashion. Dark horses shot low scores owing to inflated handicaps warranting revision. Amateurs were divided into two segments of handicaps 0-9 and 10-18. Scintillating rounds in low 70s by Ghazanfar and Rehman outclassed field in gross category. 

Day 2 was a day of vacillating fortunes. Ameer Khawar from Sialkot a 9 handicapper came from behind and shot the best round of net 65 and stole the limelight and won the prestigious Quaid e Azam trophy. Scoring was high and erratic on day 2 as golfers cracked under pressure with dismal rounds.

It was ironic that a 9 handicap player won the tournament. In the past the honours went to golfers in 14-18 categories. In 10-18 segment Dr Dildar Chaudhry won convincingly by 6 strokes over the chasing pack.

Others who made a charge were Ahmed Jib ran and Robin Bagh. Other performances were lacklustre. Nevertheless the most electrifying and spell binding performance came from Sialkot’s Ameer Khawar who shot a mercurial gross 74.

He 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. He 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 attribute separates him from the entire field. In the senior amateur category champs of the yesteryears grappled for the senior’s title. Veteran golfer Imran Ahmed of Gymkhana eclipsed Omer Farooq and Dr Javed to win gross prize. Net honours went to Hamid Sharif of Royal Palm.

In the ladies competition 22 ladies entered the arena with maximum handicap of 36. Sister duo of Parkha Ijaz and Rimsha Ijaz outclassed the field which included former champions Ghazala Yasmin. Parkha score of gross 78 speaks volumes about her passion for golf. Rest of the field was completely annihilated. Shezadi Gulfam another vintage golfer stood first in net segment.

Prize Distribution ceremony was well organised and attended. The event proved to be a resounding success. Prizes were distributed by Chairman Lahore Gymkhana Kamran Lashari.

The elite golf tournament was held under aegis of LGG&CC from 8th to 11 February 2018. The setting, ambience and atmosphere were festive and frolicsome at the pristine, manicured and well maintained golf course. The star studded field attracted top professionals on the countries elitist golfing circuit. The event was spread-eagled over 4 days. One day especially allotted to cater for subsidiary, veteran and seniors event. The event attracted nearly 60 professionals. Other categories were amateurs, senior amateurs, ladies and senior pros. As part of a talent hunt venture juniors event was also held. Youngsters exhibited exceptional an extraordinary golfing repertoire. In Pakistan there is no dearth of talent at the grassroots level. Unfortunately it needs to be tapped and explored. Additional attractions were a subsidiary match and a senior officer invitational. Main sponsors of the event were Suzuki which offered a glittering Suzuki Ciaz for an ace.

Being an Open Event main contest was in the professional’s category. The professional category contest was excruciatingly neck to neck ending in a nail biting fashion. Amateur’s participation ad turnout was low as an amateur’s event was being held side by side at Lahore Gymkhana. PGF must ensure that 2 events on same dates are not held in the same city.

Only 11 players in the field played sub-par rounds. As anticipated Shabbir Iqbal dominated the proceedings from the outset. His closest rival Munir, Matloob and Hamza Amin buckled and wilted under pressure. Lowest recorded score was 66 by 3 players including Hamza Amin son of Taimur Amin a former golfing giant of Pakistan. Eventually it was Shabbir of Islamabad who stole the limelight by breaking away from the chasing pack with a scintillating display of golf par excellence. This time he had only 2 sub-par rounds.

Munir, Hamza and Matloob of Garrison were close at his heels wilted under pressure against cool demeanour of the champion. Water hazards on 16th and 18th marring their score cards. Aggregate of 206 -10 was the winning score. Margin of victory was 4 strokes over His team mate from Islamabad Muhammad Munir who edged out Hamza by a solitary stroke.

Matloob from Garrison could not find his deftness and touch around the apron and was over shadowed by a phenomenal round of 69 by Shahid Javed Khan. Rest of the pack displayed lacklustre performances on fringe of mediocrity.

Champion displayed deft touch a finesse around the greens by saving pars. Hit thundering drives in the fairways. His iron play was awesome hitting maximum greens in regulation. In the amateurs gross category competition was even fiercer. Ahmed Baig Pakistan’s golfing sensation outclassed the field by a massive margin ofv12 strokes and 2 sub-par rounds bespoke of his dexterity. This was reflective of the tenacity, resoluteness and focus of players till the last stroke.

In amateurs net segment old guard Lt Col Shafi eclipsed the field by displaying steady golf. Champions of yester years were in the hunt for glory in senior’s amateurs and professional category. Lt Col Ikram WC Umar and Haseeb shared the honours in this category. Former champions Mehmood Kayani playing a phenomenal sub-par round of 69 followed by Akhtar Ali also displayed their adroitness in senior pros segment. Another segment senior veterans over 70 years of age comprised septuagenarians golfers of the last few decades displayed their prowess, finesse and suppleness in their swings. Mian Farooq Sheikh emerging outright winner followed by vintage golfers Brig Amanullah Niazi and Shahid Mehboob.

17 ladies entered the arena for the coveted gross and net categories played over 36 holes. Former national champ Ghazala Yasmin with an enviable 5 handicap was eclipsed by the sister duo of Rimsha and Parka. The margin of victory was only a solitary stroke.

Prize distribution was a well-attended and impressive ceremony graced by the Corps Commander Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz. Event on the whole was well organised and the management deserve kudos. Sponsors also warrant recognition for playing a pivotal role in promotion of golf. In recognition of the stellar performance of Ahmed Baig at Qatar PGF gave a magnanimous grant of 1(M) followed by0.3 (M) by PGA. This bespeaks of the degree of incentive for upcoming golfers of the country.

Massive changes are required to make the course more challenging in consonance with international circuits. Undulations, water hazards, and bunkers need to be added. Area round 50 yards fringe and apron was devoid of grass where one could see pros using putters to avoid chunks and shanks. There were complaints encompassing this portion where lob wedges are used for the flop shot. Relaying of greens and high quality grass in fairways is warranted badly. It is proposed that senior’s amateur event should be at least 36 holes as per PGF policy.