Daily Times

LAHORE: The Governor’s Cup Golf Championship enters into the history books of the country when its 33rd edition will be teed off at Lahore Gymkhana Club Golf Course here on Friday (today). “A galaxy of amateur golfers will showcase their talent in this three-day premier activity which is an annual regular feature,” said Agha Ali Imam, convener golf, Lahore Gymkhana, at a press conference on Thursday at the Gymkhana Golf Club. Also present were Ahsan Imran, CEO Millat Tractors, Sardar Murad Khan, captain golf and Khawaja Pervaiz Saeed, director media. Agha Imam said the event had become a championship that carried prestige, status and esteem. “And the golf players with a champions touch seek participation in it to enhance and establish their status as golfers of standing.”

Speaking technically, the championship is open to amateur golfers only and one more outstanding aspect of the event is that the title goes to that participant with the best net score over three rounds. That makes it one rare event on the national golf calendar which provides this opportunity to upcoming golfers of talent and ability. Ahsan Imran of Millat Tractors said they were proud to be associated with golf and the Governor’s Cup. “We are sponsoring this event to contribute to national duty and add to the efforts for further promotion of the game.” Khawaja Pervaiz spelled out that as far as the history of this championship was concerned, it was introduced in the year 1984. “Another feature worth mentioning is that Millat Tractors have been sponsoring this event for the 23 years in succession.” Khawaja Pervaiz added that for the golf players, who came from other stations, playing at the historic Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course was a delight and ecstasy and they would relish the moments of competition spend here.

Evaluation of the participants’ potential is an essential aspect of such a competition. In this quite a few talented golfers are taking part in this event and they are Nadeem Aslam, Ayaz Saleem (Lahore Garrison Golf Club), Wazir Ali, Mohsen Zafar, Sardar Murad Khan, Ahmed Zafar Hayat, Salman Jehangir, Murad A Khan, Taimur Shabir, Mir Maaz Mahmood (Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club), Shahzad Ali, Imran Siddique (Kharian Golf Club), Fakhar Imam (from Defence Raya Club) and Faisal Sayid (Royal Palm Club). The defending champion is Mohsen Zafar. Other winners of the past decade are Hamza Mansoor (2014), Qasim Khan (2013), Mohsen Zafar (2012) Asad Zia (2011), Sardar Muhammad Ahmed Leghari (2010), Muhammad Nasir Irshad (2009), Mohsen Zafar (2008), Waleed Zubir (2007), Dr Zahid A. Khan (2006), Muhammad Hashim (2005), Tashfeen Ashraf (2004).