Parkha top among ladies as Punjab Open Golf begins

LAHORE: Parkha Ijaz dominated first day’s proceedings in the 37th Punjab Open Golf Championship at the Defence Raya Golf and Country Club Golf Course here on Wednesday.

The first day of this five-day event, endorsed by MCB, Allied Bank, DHA, was marked for the ladies only. The ladies event, being held over two rounds and 36 holes, will conclude on Thursday.

On Thursday) the competitive activity will also include events for the senior professionals, junior professionals and senior amateurs and thereafter from Friday to Sunday it will be a battle for supremacy amongst the champion professionals and champion amateurs. As for the competition in the ladies event on the first day, young Parkha Ijaz of Defence Raya was in her elements and performed superbly and virtually lit up the golf course with accurate hitting and exquisite putting on the greens.

Through impressive application of golfing skills and a nerve free temperament she compiled a score of par 72 and thereby she holds full command and control of the ladies section competition. In the fight for a top position in the gross category, her nearest challenger is her own sister Rimsha Ijaz, also of Defence Raya, but she is placed six strokes behind the leader. Rimsha’s effort during the first round was notable and although she came across a few hiccups, she managed a score of gross 78 and is determined to improve her position on Thursday.

Others in line in gross section are Ghazala Yasmin (Garrison) at a score of 81 followed by Suneyah Osama (Garrison) 83, Humna Amjad (Kamra) 85, Ana James Gill (Royal Palm) 86 and Zenunnisa (Royal Palm) 87.

Net section leader also is Parkha Ijaz and after taking advantage of her handicap her net score is 65. At a score of net 71, lie Rimsha Ijaz and Shazadi Gulfam. Suneyah Osama is at net 72 and Dr Shaheen Irfan at net 74. The senior and junior professionals to enter the event on Thursday include M. Iqbal, Manzoor Ahmed, Akhter Ali, Javed Inayat and Imdad Hussain, Brig Shahid Wahab Rao, Maj Gen M. Tahir, Omer Farooq, Shafiq Bhatti, Asif Mehdi, Col M. Shafi, Col Waqar and Hamid Sharif. The second day will start with an inaugural shot by Brig Sajjad Khokhar, Administrator DHA.