LAHORE: The Royal Palm Golf Tournament for Caddies was held at the Royal Palm Club Golf Course here Friday. Caddies are considered an integral part of the golf arenas and while they understand all technical aspects of the game, they rarely get a chance to swing their own golf clubs and thereby remain deprived. It is fair on part of the golf management of Royal Palm Club to initiate a process where the caddies get a chance to actually compete on a prominent golf course of the country and exhibit their talent in a way that they can get categorised as golfers of ability. Caddies of Royal Palm felt delighted by the initiative of the Royal Palm Club to hold a golf tournament that was only open to caddies and gave a chance to the gifted and keen ones to showcase what they were capable of. And in the competition, which carried prize money of Rs 100,000, a total of 33 caddies participated.
After 18 holes of competitive golf, the caddie who made his presence felt and emerged as the top player was Muhammad Bilal. Playing to a handicap of 18, this devoted one secured honours for himself and prize money of Rs 20,000 by hitting accurately and showing consistency. With a score of net 71, he managed for himself the top slot and a permission to play golf at the golf course. The runner-up was Kamran Mashal with a net score of 73 and received prize money of Rs 16,000. Third position went to Muhammad Aftab, who also had a net 73 but had to be content with the third prize as Kamran achieved a better score on the back nine. Others who played well were Ather Khalid (net 75), Zahid Ali (net 76), Ikram Ali (net 78), and Mohammad Nauman (net 79). Two others also had a score of net 79 and they were Muzaffar Khan and Muhammad Ikram. All of them received cash prizes ranging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 4,000. For the caddies, the competition represented a fortunate moment in their lives as they felt honour and elation at being able to play on a wonderful golf course.
Published in Daily Times, December 16th 2017.