Shabbir retains CAS golf crown

Seasoned golfer fires six-under-par 67 in final round.

KARACHI: Islamabad’s Shabbir Iqbal retained the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Open Golf Championship title, winning the professional competition by ten strokes at the Airmen Golf Club in Karachi on Sunday.

The seasoned golfer fired a five-under-par 67 in the final round for an overall eight-under 280 to retain his title.

Another experienced golfer, Mohammad Munir finished second but was ten shots behind the leader as he scored a two-over-par 290. He fired a 73 on the last day.



Imdad Hussain and Amjad Yousaf earned joint third spot after scoring a gross of 291, followed by Shafique Masih and Danyal Jehangir who compiled a sheet of 292.

Mohammad Nazir, who was excellent in the first two rounds, could only earn eighth position for a card of 296 after scoring 74 in the final round.

Another prominent golfer Matloob Ahmed also had a disappointing end to the event, finishing on joint sixth after compiling 294.

Meanwhile, Col Younas Changezi and Col Shahid Mehboob shared the senior amateurs title after scoring 42, followed by Major Shahid and M Qasim who finished with 43.

Captain (retd) Aftab won the veterans event while Air Vice Marshall (retd) Atta and Air Marshal (retd) finished on second and third positions respectively.

The ladies event went to Aania Farooq, with Chen Tung Hui finishing on second spot.

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. The championship offered Rs3.2 million as prize money.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2014.

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