LAHORE, Nov 28: A lucrative cash prize of Rs700,000 for 81 golfers from all over Pakistan is at stake in the Askari Bank Garrison Open Golf championship, to be held at the Lahore Garrison course from Friday to Sunday.

Besides professionals, 20 senior professionals, 65 amateurs, 77 senior amateurs, eight women and 20 veterans will take part in the other events of the competition, bringing the total participation to 271 golfers from across the country.

Mohammad Akram of Gymkhana, who will be defending his title in the professional event, is likely to face some good opposition from 11 other notable contenders included Mohammad Shabbir (Islamabad), Imdad Hussain (Garrison), Matloob Ahmed (Gymkhana), Mohammad Munir (Islamabad), Muhammad Siddique (Faisalabad), Shahid Javed Khan (Royal Palm), Anser Mehmood (Islamabad), Akhtar Ali (Police), Mohammad Tariq (Islamabad), Amjad Yousaf (Islamabad) and Waheed Baloch (Karachi).

Asif Mehdi, a zero handicapper, is among the prominent amateurs.

According to Brig Raza Zafeer, president of the organising team, the recently renovated course would give a tough time to the golfers.