August 03, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 7, 1427

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KARACHI, Aug 2: Shabbir Iqbal of Navy will defend his professional crown when the 11th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Open Golf Championship, an annual event of the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) calendar, tees off at the lush green course of Karachi Golf Club on Aug 4.

Around 110 professionals and 95 amateurs across the country have so far confirmed their participation in the three-day, 54-hole event which carries a total prize money of Rs 1 million.

With metropolis in the grip of monsoon rains and weather forecast not too conducive, the performance of leading players is quite likely to be affected.

The details pertaining to the competition were announced by Rear Admiral Saleem Ahmed Meenai, acting Commander Karachi, at a press conference at KGC on Wednesday.

In addition to prize money, a brand new Toyota Camry is also at stake in professional category for golfer who score hole-in-one.

Abbas Ali of Wapda had the honour of performing the hole-in-one feat in the eighth CNS Open three years back at the same venue and won the new Toyota car.

The Open and Amateur event will be played over 54 holes spread over 18 holes per day while competition for ladies, seniors and juniors will be of 18 holes. Veterans will vie in a 9-hole competition.

Highlighting salient features of the event, Saleem Meenai said it will serve as curtain raiser for the Asian circuit. When asked why it is not played over 72 holes, he said: “Following instructions from PGF, it has been the practice to organise the CNS Open over 54 holes which is aimed at saving time.”

The draws of the event will be taken out on Thursday.