KARACHI, Dec 8: The 36th edition of the Caltex Pakistan Open Golf championship will be played at the Karachi Golf Course from Dec 25 to 28.

Out of the 150 participants, 60 will be qualified professionals and 90 will be amateurs from all over Pakistan.

Shabbir Ahmed of the Pakistan Navy is the defending champion. The tournament will also include former champions Matloob Ahmed, Imdad Hussain, Taimur Hussain, M. Tahir and M. Munir.

In addition around 20 senior professionals of over the age of 50 and above, will be participating in this richest golf event in the country.

The tournament will also witness the playing of the Inter-Association National Team Championship with teams from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, the NWFP and Federal Area vying for the top honours. These matches will see the ranking amateurs and former national amateur champions participating with names such as the celebrated Taimur Hassan, CPO Tariq Mahmood, Shahid Javed Khan, Vaqas Ahmed, Dr. Aimal Zaman, Murtaza Qasim and Ali Hai.

The championship is offering a total prize money of Rs1,000,000. In addition a Toyota Corolla GLI will be given to the first hole-in-one for professionals.

A special prize will also be awarded to the first hole-in-one for the amateurs. The championship is the flag event of the Pakistan Golf Federation and this is the second consecutive year of this premier event. The prize distribution will be held on Dec 28, at the Karachi Golf Club.