KARACHI: After successful completion of back-to-back golfing events in the city over the last fortnight, the scene moves to Arabian Sea Country Club (ASCC) in the outskirts of metropolis where the 54-holes Coca Cola 18th Sindh Open Golf Championship tees off on Friday.

Almost all eminent pros of the country who are in town will be seen in action in the three-day annual event which carries lucrative purse of Rs3.0 million.

According to prize money break-up, Rs2.3 million have been set aside for pros, Rs0.5 million for senior pros and Rs0.2 million for junior pros.

The details of the event were announced by chief executive of the ASCC Arif Ali Khan Abbasi and president of the Sindh Golf Association (SGA) Asad I. A. Khan at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

Arif Abbasi spelt about the importance of sponsorship which is vital for the uplift of sports. “No sports can flourish in the country without sponsorship,” he added.

Abbasi, who is known for bringing lucrative sponsorships while at the helm of the PCB, cited example when once he had returned the peanut grant to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in the yesteryears with a thank you.

Asad disclosed that SGA generates about Rs10 million annually through levy system from its members which they spent on activities round the year.

“Number of golfers and golf courses are barometre to judge economy of the country,” he remarked.

Answering a question, he said Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) plans to bring Asian Tour to Pakistan in the near future and it needs approximately Rs40 million.

He negated the impression that golf is played by affluent class. Country’s top pro Shabbir Iqbal and many other eminent golfers were caddies before scaling heights, he added.

Asad also recalled the SGA’s association with the ASCC, which he termed as “home to Sindh open”.

Meanwhile, a Suzuki swift for Hole-in-One will be at stake in addition to four 125 Yamaha motorcycles that will be given to the winners of pros, senior pros, junior pros and amateurs.

The top 40 and ties cut in the pros will be applied after second round.

Pakistan No 1 Shabbir Iqbal, who finished with scores of 203, 13 under-par last year, will defend his title.

The previous two competitions – the CNS Open and the Independence Day Cup Open – were won by Matloob Ahmed and Shabbir Iqbal respectively.

Acting secretary and treasurer of the SGA Ashraf Khan Ghori was also present.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2016