LAHORE: A field of 82 golfers gathered at the challenge loaded par-72, Defence Raya Golf Golf Course to determine the winners in the net and gross events here Sunday. The tee off took place through a shot gun start and thereafter the eager, keen and ambitious competitors teed off, yearning for honours in this 18 holes golf event. In the race for honours in gross event, the winner was Ahmed Rafi with a gross score of 74, two over par. All through the eighteen holes, the hitting accuracy off the tees was perfection oriented and equally meticulous and deft were the shots from the fairways. This youngster certainly had the temperament to perform well and his command over his application of golfing skills remained visible throughout the 18 holes yesterday. Even though he was continuously under threat from a few other seasoned golfers who looked determined to edge past him. Omer Chaudhary was one and then there were Salman Khan, Abbas Ali Khan, Omair Butt and Hassan Askari. His nearest challenger turned out to be Omer who did reflect a masterly and proficient touch in his hitting and managed to compile a matching score of gross 74, but had to concede the top position to Rafi because he had a better score on the back nine. As a result of this Omer had to be content with the runner-up trophy. Others who played remarkable golf, but not as superb as the two winners, were Salman Aslam 75, Abbas Ali Khan 76 and Umair Butt 76. The net section top performers were Hassan Askari and Salman. For Askari, the championship fight brought forth the best from his golfing abilities and he ended up the 18 holes with a dream like score of net 65, seven under par. During the 18 holes outing, he remained on course and not once did he stray from the fairways and was successful in managing regular pars. The fact that he turned out to be the outright net winner is a compliment to his calm nerves. Two others who were brilliant in the net section race were Salman and Ataurrehmen. Both of them had sparkling scores of net 66 but Salman was awarded the runners up second net prize as he had a better score on the back nine. Others who came up with good performances in the net category were Rana Nasir Khan 67 and Saeed ul Hasib 67. The seniors category top one in gross section was Col (r) Asf Mehdi, his gross score being 73. Imran Ahmed won second gross with a score of gross 76 followed by Col Mohammad Shafi third at gross 79. The seniors net section first prize went to Naseer Akhter who finished the 18 holes with an unbeatable net 62. Dr Shafqat Malik won second net, his score being net 65. On this occasion Sardar Murad was also awarded the club champion Prize. At the conclusion, Kang Chong Jin, CEO of Defence Raya Golf Club, and Brig (r) Sikandar Hayat, Secretary Defence Raya, awarded prizes to the winners. Published in Daily Times, March 13th 2018.