KARACHI, July 1: A purse of rupees 2.2 million will be up for grabs in the 13th edition of Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Golf championship which tees-off at Karachi Golf Club from Thursday.

It will be a red letter day in the history of Pakistan Golf Federation when such a lucrative purse will be distributed among the top 30 professional golfers of the country at the end of three-day 54-hole contest.

Over one hundred top-notch golfers will be in action and would be bidding for the handsome first prize of Rs.465,000 while runner-up spot is worth Rs.235,000.

Shabbir Iqbal, of Pakistan Navy will be defending his crown in the event. But he is expected to face stiff challenge from his club-mate Muhammad Munir of Islamabad Golf Club, who secured sixth spot in Pakistan Open last January to retain his title.

Other man contenders for the crown included Matloob Ahmed (Lahore (Gymkhana), Shahid Javed Khan (Royal Palm Lahore), Muhammad Siddique (Lyallpur Golf Club Faisalabad), Muhammad Tariq, Ansar Mahmood, Amjad Yousuf (KGC), Imdad Hussain (Lahore Garrison) etc.

A brand new Toyota-Camry Car will be also up for grab for the in professional category making a rare hole-in-one during the championship.In addition Rs.200,000 will be on offer in senior pros contest played over 36 holes.

Besides professionals, amateur, seniors, ladies, veterans and juniors event will be held as the part of the main competition.

Details of the championship were announced at media briefing by Comdre Athar Mukhtar, who is also Patron PN Golf with Captain KGC Ahmed Abdul Bari, Chief Executive KGC Capt (retd) M.Khalid Ali Anwar, Secretary Sindh Golf Association Asad I.Khan was also present on the occasion.

Mukhtar Ather said overall overs 300 golfers in various categories will be taking part. He said prize money has been enhanced .7 million to offer more incentives to the leading golfers to raise their game.—APP