KARACHI: Some 350 golfers across the country, including the top pros, will display their acumen when the Rs 6.5 million 72-holes 21st Chief of the Naval Staff Open Golf Championships tees off at the picturesque course of the Karachi Golf Club on Thursday. The first flight tees-off at 6.45am.

The purse includes Rs0.5 million for the caddies and semi-professional match of the KGC.

The details of the richest-ever annual event was announced by Commander Karachi Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmed at a press conference held at the Karachi Golf Club on Tuesday.

Rear Admiral Farrokh also played a shot to formally declare the event open.

Eminent pro Mohammad Munir of Islamabad will defend his crown. He carded a brilliant 267, 21 under-par, to win by five shots over Shahid Javed Khan, who posted 272, 16 under-par.

Another prolific golfer Shabbir Iqbal had to be content with third place with 275, 13 under-par.

Similarly, the amateurs’ title ended in a blaze of glory for Omair Javed of the DHA, who shot 12 under 276 to win by four shots over Raza Ali Rizvi.

At the outset, Commandant PNS Bahadur Cdre Ali Abbas, gave a resume of the competition.

Besides the pros and amateurs, caddies, semi-pros, senior pros and junior pros will compete over 36-holes, seniors and ladies over 18-holes and veterans over nine holes.

Abbas also highlighted Navy’s role in promoting sports particularly, rowing, sailing, shooting, hockey and golf.

“The launch of the CNS Open golf way back in 1995 speaks volumes about Navy’s role for the promotion of sports in the country,” he remarked.

Cdre Zafar Mahmood and sponsor Sohail Shams were among others who were also present on the occasion.Meanwhile, the CNS golf will be followed by the DHA Independence Day Open and the 18th Sindh Open respectively.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2016