Shabbir emerges tall in Rs4m Bahria Town Golf Championship

Former Naval Chief Admiral Asif Sandila, former ISI
chief Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam attend event

BAHRIA GARDEN CITY (Rawalpindi): Pakistan No 1 Shabbir Iqbal left Ansar Mehmood behind on the sudden death hole to win the 6th Chairman Bahria Town Open Golf Championship at the Garden City and Country Club here on Sunday.

Former Naval Chief Admiral (R) Asif Sandila was chief guest on the occasion while former ISI chief Lt. Gen (R) Zaheerul Islam, President Pakistan Golf Federation, participated as guest of honour.   

The action-packed final day saw Pakistan No 1 professional Shabbir edging out his closest rival on first of the extra hole by carding par against bogie sunk in by Ansar to take the title. Shabbir carded 11 under par 205 over three days to take the title. Staring with five under on the opening day, Shabbir got two under on second and wrapped up the title with four under on the last day. It took him yet another hole to edge out Ansar to win the title and cash purse of around half a million rupees.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest former Navy Chief Admiral (R) Asif Sandila hailed Malik Riaz and Bahria Town efforts to promote sports especially golf that is fast becoming a leading sports of the country. “It is really heartening to see the best of golfers gathering all around to compete in the Rs4 million event. Such a huge prize money event has rarely been held in the country. Such a gesture on the part of Bahria Town would help popularise the game further,” he said.

Lt Gen (R) Zaheerul Islam, President Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) praised the Bahria Town administration for holding a successful Golf championship. He said prizes worth Rs40 lakh are certainly encouraging for the game of golf.Commodore (R) Mohammad Ilyas, Vice Chief Executive Bahria Town, said their effort had always been to provide the best of environment for golf lovers. “Bahria Town has always taken keen interest in game’s promotion. Our special focus in recent times has been to promote golf and squash.”

Mohammad Ilyas said that Bahria Town had the honour of raising the first ever 27-hole golf course in the country. “It was great going to start with but Ansar caught up with me on the final day to take the event to extra hole. I hope to maintain the same tempo as I shown here during my next event,” Shabbir said while talking to The News.

He praised Bahria Town for organising such a wonderful event. “Malik Riaz has always supported sports and golf is no exception. His support for the event would go a long way in popularising the game in the country,” he said.

Admiral (R) Asif Sandaila, while addressing on the occasion of the prize distribution ceremony stressed the need of continuing the health promoting games and sports like golf. The prize distribution ceremony was participated by majority of the golf fraternity living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

More than 300 players participated in the event in different categories. Ghazanfar Mehmood was the gross amateur winner while Sardar Yousaf was the net winner in amateur category. Ladies net title was grabbed by Saima Ijaz. Ami Quin was the winner in gross category. Shahbaz Masih won the junior professional event with Mohammad Khalid finishing second.