Daily Times

The Chief of Air Staff Open Golf Championship came to a finish after four rounds of competitive golf at the Airmen Golf Course, PAF Base Korangi Creek, here on Sunday. Outstanding one turned out to be Shabbir Iqbal of Islamabad who achieved success by a huge margin of twelve strokes. At no stage were his rivals a threat and he emerged as the superb one through a radiant and sparkling display of golfing skills. All through the four rounds Shabbir was flawless and this attribute alone enabled him to luster and appear luminous. With scores of 64, 72, 66 and 70 and an aggregate of 272, sixteen under par, was a picture of exquisiteness and precision. Air Marshal Aasim Zaheer, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force graced the occasion as chief guest. He distributed prizes and trophies. The runner-up was Mohammad Munir (Rawalpindi) and his aggregate score was 284. Technically he displayed sufficient command over his shot making but as compared to Shabbir his effort lacked luster. Bracketed at third position were Mohammad Ashfaq (Airmen Golf Club) and Hamza Amin (Islamabad Golf Club). Both of a them had a similar aggregate score of 287, one under par.

An outstanding feature of this open golf championship was that Aania Farooq, a nineteen year old woman golfer participated in the men’s amateur category and thereby created golfing history. Playing off the men’s tees, she was dauntless in her hitting and her tee shots carried the power and tenacity of a champion. With average driving distance of 260 yards, this doctor in the making impressed with her golfing skills and showed ample daring while competing with the men amateurs. Although she did not win, her overall performance won her much admiration and commendation from her mentors which included Dr Asma Shami, head of Women’s Golf in Pakistan.

The winner gross in men’s amateur section was Taimoor of PAF with an aggregate score of two under par. The second gross position went to Mohamamd Saqib of Lahore Garrison. The third gross winner was Ashiq Hussain of Multan. The chief guest also handed over the key of brand new Suzuki Swift Car to Air Marshal (r) Farhat Hussain for scoring ‘Hole in One’ on the second hole (par 3) to take home. The championship featured over 350 golfers, including 108 professionals from all over the country. The Chief of the Air Staff Open Golf Championship was introduced in 1977 and ever since has been a regular feature in PGF and PAF annual sports calendars.

Published in Daily Times, February 18^th 2019.