LAHORE: The 2nd Ghazala Ansari Challenge Cup Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, a world amateur golf ranking event, culminated with a graceful prize distribution ceremony held at the historic Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club.
The most striking feature of this unique event was the ambience of Ghazala Ansari’s presence that prevailed throughout the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club on all three days. Equally evident was the unbounded euphoria and air of festivity that became the hallmark of this event.
Begum Parveen Sarwar, wife of the former Governor Punjab, consented to be the chief guest to demonstrate her continued personal support for Dr Asma Shami’s unique initiative of honouring the achievements of Lady Golfing icons of yesteryears. It may be recalled that, last year, Begum Sarwar had insisted on holding the Prize Distribution Ceremony of the 1st Ghazala Ansari Cup in the Durbar Hall of the Governor’s House Lahore that enhanced the status of the championship and raised the prestige of ladies golf to an unimaginable level.
In her address, the chief guest praised this concept in general and legendary Ghazala Ansari’s feats in particular. She lavished well deserved praise on Dr Asma Shami, the Chief Organizer, for conceiving this concept and conducting this championship in a professional manner, with her dedicated team, Bela Azam as Tournament Director, Munazza Shaheen as Chief Referee and Mrs Mamoona Azam as Coordinator.
After the three days of tough competition, Rimsha Ijaz, handicap 1, with a gross score of 239 over 54 holes, emerged as winner of the gross section in Category A (handicaps 0-12). Defending champion Parkha Ijaz, handicap 0, was runner-up with a gross 241, while Suneyah Osama finished 3rd, Ghazala Yasmin fourth, Daniyah Syed fifth and Abiha Syed sixth.
In Category B (handicaps 13-24), Shahzadi Gulfam won the 1st prize, Tehmina Rashid second and Hadiyah Osama third. The first net position was secured by Momina Tarar, second by Shabana Waheed and third by Hareem Tahir.
Moreover, in Category C (handicaps 25-36), the gross winner was Aleesa Rashid, a 11-year-old, who led in both net and gross categories. The second gross went to Mina Zainab and third to Tasleem Hussain. In the net competition, Saqiba Batool was winner, Humera Zeeshan second and Aliha Amjad third. In the Seniors Match, seven respected seniors participated and the gross prize was won by Amber Javed while net prize was earned by Filza Yousuf.
In the junior girls 18 holes category, Mahnoor Syed was winner followed by Nataliya Nadeem (2nd), Nabeeha Nafees (3rd) and Areej Atif (4th). For nine holes category, the magicians of the game were Maria Waqar (1st), Fariah Amin (2nd), Noor Bano Chaudary (3rd) and Anabia Waqar (4th).
