Saad retains Junior National Golf title

LAHORE: The 14th Pakistan Junior Amateur Golf Championship, which also served as trials for the selection of a four-member junior golf team to represent Pakistan in the Nick Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, concluded triumphantly at the prestigious Rumanza Golf Course in Multan.

The event, supervised by Salman Abbasi of Rumanza and Malik Kamran of the Pakistan Golf Federation, showcased the exceptional golfing expertise of young Saad Habib from DHA, Karachi. Saad successfully retained his title as Junior Amateur Golf Champion of Pakistan.

The championship, held from February 5 to 7, saw Saad Habib demonstrate remarkable skill and consistency over three days of intense competition, amidst 60 talented young golfers from across the country.

Saad’s outstanding performance was marked by his impressive scores of 66, 66, and 71, giving him an unmatchable aggregate of 203, thirteen under par. On the final day, Saad displayed mental fortitude, navigating the golf course with a solid round of gross 71.

His nearest rival, Shameer Majid of Defence Raya Golf Club, finished in a commendable second place with scores of 73, 69, and 70, and an aggregate of 212, four under par.

Though Shameer’s skillful play deserves admiration, Saad Habib’s dominance was never in doubt.

Several other young golfers also competed impressively but did not match Saad’s exceptional performance.

Abdul Moeez Khan of Rumanza compiled a score of gross 212, four under par. Despite having the same aggregate score as Shameer, Abdul was declared runner-up due to a better final round.

Following them were M. Abdullah Khan of Defence Raya with a total score of 214, two under par, Laraib Rehman of Peshawar at 218, and Irtiza Hussain of Margalla, who also finished at 218.

With his victory, Saad has qualified to represent Pakistan in the Asia-level Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, set to take place from April 22 to 25 at the Laguna Langco Golf Club in Vietnam.

Given his current form and fitness level, expectations are high that he will match skills with the best junior golfers from Asia.

In the under-16 years age bracket, the top player was Azaan Usman of Islamabad Golf Club, who emerged as the best with three rounds scores of 73, 73, and 75, and a gross aggregate of 221. Azaan, a young talent with praiseworthy skills, will also be heading to Vietnam to represent the country.

In the girls’ race for honors, the best player in the under-21 age category was Bushra Fatima of Lahore Garrison, while the highly exceptional player in the under-16 years age category was Sara Amin Khan of Peshawar.

Sara ended the championship with fantastic rounds of 68, 70, and 66, and a championship aggregate of 204, twelve under par. Both Bushra and Sara will showcase their skills at the Nick Faldo Grand Final.

The champion youngsters were honored by the presence of the President of the Pakistan Golf Federation, Lt Gen Qazi Muhammed Ikram Ahmed, HI(M), who presented the winning trophies to them in the presence of participating golfers and their families.

All competing young golfers gained valuable experience and immense joy at the world-class Rumanza Golf Course, designed by Nick Faldo.