Warid Punjab Open Golf championship in Gujranwala

LAHORE—Warid Punjab open golf championship will be played from November 10 at Gujranwala golf and country club.
This was stated by Brig Adnan Azeem, president Gujranwala golf and country club at a news conference here on Wednesday. Secretary, Punjab Golf Association, Col retd Zulfiqar Rana, Hasan Jafar of Warid Telecom and Kh Pervaiz Saeed, media coordinator of the tournament were also present.
Brig Adnan said in view of the standards of the course and elaborate arrangements made by the club, PGA, has allowed to stage this event in Gujranwala.
“Holding of such a prestigious event in a smaller town will help in promoting golf and will contribute in the efforts for its overall development,” he said.
“A galaxy of professionals and amateurs will be taking part in it which will make the event competitive and thrilling,” he added.
He said his club spread over 200 acres offers excellent sporting facilities which makes it one of the country best golf arena.
Secretary PGA Col Rana said in all 86 professionals, 70 amateurs, 20 senior professional and 4 ladies will be displaying their talent in the three-day competition.
Top professional appearing are Muhammad Munir, Muhammad Shabbir, Muhammad Saddique, Imdada Hussain, Ansar Mehmood, Matloob Ahmad, Irfan Mahmood, Abbas Ali, Sajjad Khan and Shahid Javed Khan.
Notable amateurs include Adil Jahangir, Imran Ahmad, Murad A Khan, Danayal Jehangir, Kamal Ibrahim, Muhammad Rehman and Sardar Murad Khan.
Praising the role of sponsors Brig Adnan and Col Rana said without their support it was not possible to hold a high level tournament and their patronage will go a long way in developing golf which was fast coming up as a common sport.
“There is a hole in one prize, a suzuki Mehran car for the professionals sponsored by Habib Bank Limited,” they added.
Warid Telecom representative, Hasan Jafar said the winners of professional event will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 173,500.” The tournament offers attractive prizes,” he said.
He said his organisation was playing an active role in the uplift of golf besides sharing in a number of other healthy activities.
“Our objective is to provide healthy activities to youth to play their due role and we believe golf needs sponsorship from private sector to get more popularity,’ he asserted.
The 72-par course is in excellent conditions, fairways look spectacular and the greens true and fast, said Secretary PGA. “It is a challenging course and I believe some of its parts are better than the Lahore Gymkhana course,” he added.—Online