Bangladesh a surprise leader in SARC Golf Championship

LAHORE—Pakistan team was the favourite but at the end of the first day the surprise leader turned out to be Bangladesh in the 8th SAARC Golf Championship here on Wednesday at Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course.
The inaugural shot was hit by Chit Ranjan Bakshi of India. Besides Pakistan teams from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are participating in this international event. India could not participate because of technical reasons.
Bangaldesh which spoiled home teams hopes mainly due to some wonderful performance on part of their players. The home team was at the lowest place , a performance contrary to the performance of its players in the national events at home.
Bangladesh’s experienced M. Siddikur Rehman played a very steady round of 71, (33 out and 38 in), with birdies on holes 8,9,13, and 14 and boogies on 10,11, and 14, and the other holes were regulation pars. His team mate Muhammad Milon Ahmed who has considerable experience of playing in Pakistan, was fairly impressive, his round of 73 representing a reasonably good contribution. The third player Mohammad Shahid played 75, but as per competition rules the best two scores are counted and Bangladesh with a team score of 144 lead the team event at the end of first round.
In the second position is Sri Lankan team with a team score of 146; K. A. Prabagran played 72 and Mithun Perera 74. Both these experienced golfers honoured their country by playing well.
The Nepal team has a hero in Ravi Khadka. This young man impressed with his swing and approach to the game. His five birdies on holes 2,6,7,10, and 11 neutralized the boogies on 4,13, and 14 and his first days round of 71 complemented by his team mates Sanjay Lama’s round of 76, gives Nepal the third slot, and their big consolation is that they are two strokes ahead of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s hero Vaqas Ahmed was a miserable disappointment. He played poorly indeed and needs some consoling from the team captain. For Pakistan Aadil Jahangir played reasonably well and so did Ali Hai, and their aggregate team score after the first day is 149.
Consolation for Pakistan is that the ladies team emerged at the top. Our ladies comprising Jamila Jabbar and Mrs. Tahira Nazir had an aggregate score of 170. Nepal team is second at 195 and their team names are Mrs. Shastika Shrestha and Mrs. Keoang Lama Bangladesh team comprising Mrs. Shaheen Khan and Mrs. Fatema Fahman is third.—Online