Daily Times

LAHORE: The month of October is a month of glad tidings for golfers in Lahore and other cities of the country. It ushers in congenial and delightful weather and as for the eager golfers of Lahore and others visiting Lahore, it heralds the holding of much sought after golf championships like the prestigious Governor’s Cup Golf Championship starting at Lahore Gymkhana here on Friday (today). Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Shaukat Javed, convener golf at Lahore Gymkhana, stated that Millat Tractors Governor’s Cup Golf Championship was now into its 35th year and so was its association with Millat Tractors Ltd and its enchanting and appealing chairman Sikander Mustafa Khan. Also present on the occasion were SM Irfan Aqeel, CEO Millat Tractors, Ahsan Imran, CEO Millat Equipment Ltd, Omer Zia, captain golf, and Khawaja Pervaiz Saeed, director media.

“A very special technical feature of this golf competition is that it affords and lends an occasion to talented and upcoming golfers who seek to establish their names in the competitive golfing arena,” Shaukat added. “In case they perform well in the competition, they become known in the national golfing scene and from hereon they can devote their energies to golf and become known as golf players of skill and expertise. This esteemed and august championship is the only one of its kind where the ultimate title holder becomes a champion based on his net score,” said Shaukat. Tracing the history of the championship, Khawaja Pervaiz said that this gracious event was started in 1984, when the first Governor’s Golf was held based on a recommendation by the then President of Pakistan. Omer Zia said that over the years golf had developed and progressed in Lahore. “Golf clubs like Royal Palm, Garrison Club, Defence Raya and Lahore Gymkhana itself have been instrumental in producing adroit and dexterous golfers. And Lahore now boasts of having over hundred amateur golf players with a single handicap.”

Main trophy will be awarded to the champion with the best net score. The defending champion is Robin Bagh. Other winners of the past decade are Isfandyar Khan (2016), Mohsen Zafar (2015), Hamza Mansoor (2014), Qasim Khan (2013), Mohsen Zafar (2012), Asad Zia (2011), Sardar Muhammad Ahmed Leghari (2010), Muhammad Nasir Irshad (2009), Mohsen Zafar (2008).

Men amateurs: Net and gross events for amateurs will be held over three rounds (totally 54 holes, with 18 holes each day) from Friday to Sunday. Eligibility requirements are that participating golfers should have a handicap of 14 and below.

Seniors: Net and gross events for seniors will be held over 18 holes on Friday. Eligibility requirements are that participating senior golfers should be above 55 years of age and less than 70 years and have a handicap of 16 and below.

Veterans: Net and gross events for veterans will be held over 9 holes on Friday. Eligibility requirements are that participating veterans should be in the age bracket 70 years and above and have a handicap of 18 and below. The veterans will also have the advantage of one extra stroke for every two years of age difference. In case where the veteran player is above 80 years he will get one stroke advantage for every year.

Women: Net and gross events for women will be held over 36 holes from Saturday to Sunday. Eligibility requirement is that participating women golfers should have a handicap of 36 and below:

Juniors: Net and gross events for juniors will be held on Sunday. Eligibility requirement is that participating juniors should have a handicap of 18 and below and should be in the age bracket 18 years and below.

Published in Daily Times, October 26^th 2018.