The 3rd in the series of the KPGA Soni Wali Cup, the Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, was held on 8th to 9th, December, 2023, at the historic Peshawar Golf Course. This annual event, is dedicated to commemorating the legacy of Soni Wali. Soni Wali, a trailblazer in ladies’ golf in KPK, left an enduring mark by becoming the National Championship in 1976 and 1980.
“I have come to Honour A Cause, the Soni Wali Golfing Cause!” Humna Amjad, handicap of 1, originating from Soni Wali’s Peshawar, stated with pride. Her journey from Karachi to partake in this prestigious event aimed to vividly demonstrate the relevance of iconic women golfers from yesteryears to the younger generation. Inspiring
The participation of 30 golfers from various corners of Pakistan in this tournament, all converging to pay homage to the pioneering golfer Soni Wali, underscored the national integration fostered by Dr. Asma Afzal Shami and her colleagues among women golfers in Pakistan. Notable participants included legendary golfers Tahira Nazir and Tehmina Rashid, both contemporaries of Soni Wali.
Among winners from Gold Category, the defending champion Humna Amjad kept her streak by winning it for the second time, she won 1st Gross with a score of 224, while the young Sara Amin, had 254 strokes to win 2nd Gross, proving her mettle that she will be one day, the Soni Wali Champion.
In Category B, Zarmina Khan was 1st Gross with 172 score, another star in the making. The brilliant perpetual winners, Tehmina Rashid and Uzma Nazir won 2nd and 3rd Gross with 184 and 186 shots respectively. In the net category, Laila Malik topped with 1st Net, winning through back count. While Attiya Anjum won 2nd Net with the same score of 144 net each. Amna Malik won 3rd Net, she has quickly achieved a lower handicap by back to back winning net prizes in the tournaments.
Category C gross winner was Fatima Azhar, she was 1st Gross with 196 strokes. Dr. Ghazala Shams came 2nd in the gross competition while Saeeda Ashraf won 3rd Gross. For the net competition, Samina Ishtiaq won 1st net and Sadia Askar hailing from Mardaan won 2nd Net.
In the seniors section, Tahira Nazir, the champion of many tournaments over the years won 1st Gross while Brig. Nasira Shaheen won 1st net prize.
Our Junior Girls also exhibited their golfing skills. Daniya Irfan won 1st Gross and Aleena Khan won 2nd Gross. It is these girls who we should be promoted to become scratch players. Notably these girls are also part of Ace Junior Golf League, the only junior league in Pakistan that is training for skills, along with mind psychology and conducting matches all across Pakistan, aiming to prepare future champions.
The passion behind the tournament is driven by Soni Wali’s brother, Mr. Iqbal Wali, and her sister, Rani Wali, who also serve as the exclusive financial sponsors. It is noteworthy that the entire planning and execution of the event were meticulously handled by a Tournament Committee comprising solely of women, under the leadership of Tournament Director Dr. Ghazala Shams. This tournament originated from the visionary initiative launched by Dr. Asma Afzal Shami in 2021, with the purpose of honoring past female icons such as Soni Wali and Ghazala Ansari, the first Pakistani lady to achieve a handicap of 1.
Air Commodore Ahmed Bilal Mir, Vice President of PAF, PGC, graced the flawlessly conducted Prize Distribution Ceremony as the Chief Guest. He appreciated efforts by senior ladies in golf for undertaking the cause of sports and inspiring talented young girls to take up golf in Peshawar. He also lauded the lady organisers for orchestrating and managing a mega event with exemplary finesse.