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.