ISLAMABAD: The three rounds and 54 holes Gold category event of the 3rd Pakistan Golf Federation Women’s Amateur Golf Championship commenced at the picturesque and beautiful Islamabad Club Golf Course, par-72, here Friday, in a way that can only be described as impressive and memorable. Before the first tee off, tournament director Zeenat Ayesha and Dr Asma Shami were there to cheer up and compliment women participants from Bangladesh and Thailand and also from Pakistan who had come from Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Kamra. Out of the 70 women competing, the highly rated ones were the competitors from Bangladesh and Thailand and expectations were that the leading Pakistan players would adequately equate with them in terms of application of golfing skills and ability. As the first round progressed, noticeable was the exceptional expertise of players from Thailand. And it was Sarunchana Rattanasi who sparkled during the first 18 holes and dazzled with her phenomenal hitting and accuracy loaded shot making from the fairways. She virtually lit up the Islamabad Golf Course with splendid show of golfing skills as was reflected by her first round score of gross 67, five under par, compiled with the help of five birdies and thirteen pars. And she was delighted with the Islamabad Golf Course, the playing environment and the hospitality extended by Pakistan Golf Federation and the organising team. “I had a really satisfactory round of golf and I am excited about the fact that I am the leader at the end of the first round,” she said. Another one from Thailand, Jantita Aungusee Wong, was also in dominant form. Although her excellence level was not too comparable with Sarunchana, she was forceful and played steadily over the first 18 holes. She was placed at second position after the first round with a score of gross 72, level par and stood five strokes behind the leader. Placed at the third slot was Sonia Akhtar from Bangladesh. With a round of gross 76, she seemed determined to challenge the leaders with a better show over the next two days of this championship. Other competitors in line were Liza Akhter (Bangladesh) 80, Humera Khalid (DHA Karachi) 81, Ghazala Yasmin (Garrison Lahore) 82 and Hamna Amjad (Kamra) at 83. Bracketed at a score of gross 85 were Tahira Nazir (Rawalpindi) and Rimsha Ijaz (Defence Raya Lahore) followed by Tehmina Ali (Karachi Golf Club) 87, Parkha Ijaz (Defence Raya Lahore) 88 and Ana James Gill (Royal Palm) 89. The race for honours in Silver and Bronze categories will commence on Saturday (today). Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2018.