Ghazanfar Mehmood of Rawalpindi Golf Club played a spectacular first round on Thursday, in the three rounds Chief of Naval Staff Golf Championship, being played at the par 72 Royal Palm Golf Course with a gross score of 69, three under par. A seasoned campaigner, who is ranked number one amateur in Pakistan, seems to be in a mood not only to dominate this championship but also other major events of our national amateur golf circuit due to be held this season.
Teeing off early in the morning yesterday along with Tariq Mehmood (Pakistan Navy) and Sajid Khan (ASGCC) Ghazanfar let go his cylinders with a massive 280 yards opening tee shot that reflected control and ability and from thereon it was all excellence over the eighteen holes.
On his way to accumulating an extremely decent 18 holes score, he was aided by his birdies on holes 2, 7, 12, 13, 15 and 16, all the result of most impressive hits of the tee and backed by some very crisp hitting from the fairways and very fruitful use of the putter.
Over the 18 holes he had six birdies, nine regulation pars and encountered stroke losses on holes 10, 11 and 17. "I just felt great on the first day", Ghazanfar said and went on to add, "my putter was at my beck and call on all the eighteen greens and I hope the feel stays with me on the remaining two days". What added to Ghazanfar's encouragement was that his performance was highly appreciated by Commodore Akber Naqi, Station Commander, Pakistan Navy in Lahore and the Chief Organiser of the Championship. Commodore Akber also promised financial support.
As against Ghazanfar's performance, the defending champion M. Rehman ended the first round with a rather modest score of gross 77 and though he was steady on each of the 17 holes he suffered a massive setback on one hole which he triple bogies and for a golfer of his stature that represents a setback and a stressful happening. I
Tariq Mehmood of Navy lies second at a gross score of 74, two over par along with Imran Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana who is also at the same score. Colonel (Retd) Shafi of Garrison Golf Club also made his presence felt with a gross round of 75 and appeared determined for top honours in the Championship. Other prominent ones in line are Robin Bagh (Srg) 75, Khalid Mehmood (Rawalpindi) 76, M. Rehman (Royal Palm) 77, Raza Ali Khan (Royal Palm) 77 and Akbar Qayum Bokhari (Peshawar), Amir Choudry (Gymkhana), Saleem Raza (Gujranwala) and Omer Salamat (Royal Palm) all at gross 79.