KARACHI: The performance and participation of ladies at the CNS Open Golf Championship was hailed on Monday by Pakistan Golf Federation ladies golf chairperson Dr Asma Afzal Shami.

Rimsha Ijaz emerged as the gross winner with a two-round aggregate of 153, finishing a stroke ahead of Aania Farooq and three ahead of her sister Parkha.

Iman Ali Shah was the net winner with a score of 142, ahead of Naghmana Atif (147) and Amna Amjad (151).

As many as 25 ladies took part in at the CNS Open, which concluded on Sunday.

“Despite the restrictions of the current corona pandemic and the unusually hot weather, five young girls displayed their passion for golf by travelling all the way from Lahore to participate in the championship,” Asma, who has been pushing to professionalise the ladies’ game in Pakistan, said in a statement.

“While acknowledging the highly commendable supportive attitude of the parents and the golfing passion of the lady participants who braved the blistering heat and the suffocating humidity to compete in this event, we must also single out the efforts of Ms Fouzia Naqvi who, as the Lady Captain of the KGC Golf Club, facilitated the participating lady golfers in every possible way.

“The three prize winners in the gross category are 2-handicappers and harbour lofty ambitions of turning professional one day.They are the future of ladies golf in Pakistan and deserve our support."

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2021