The 4th PGF-Pakistan Golf Federation Jinnah Development Tour Golf Tournament brought sunlight, sunbeams and merriment for Sunny Masih of Lahore Gymkhana as he raised his golf playing skills to consummate heights to flourish and thrive in this vehemently fought out championship that concluded at the Royal Palm Golf Course.
At the conclusion of the three rounds and 54 holes Sunny Masih found himself up against the ingenious and deft Muhammed Saeed of Pakistan Rangers as their scores for the 54 holes were identical. With three rounds daily scores of 73, 70 and 72 Sunny had an aggregate score of 215, one under par and Muhammed Saeed with three rounds scores of 72, 74 and 69 was also placed at the aggregate of 215, gross.
To decide the championship winner these two faced each other in the sudden death play off and as per decision of the Tournament Committee headed by Dr. Ali Haider Khan they proceeded to the tee of 9th hole for determining the ultimate winner. And how steadily both played. In the first attempt both had pars and the activity was repeated and again the result was level. They were then asked to proceed to the 18th hole and for a third time they ended up equal. Cheered up rather loudly by supporters, the battle continued but in the fourth attempt it was the competent and masterly Sunny Masih who did a splendid par while his adversary missed a four feet putt to end up with a bogey. And for Sunny Masih that was a moment he had sought for over three years. So much impassioned and zealous effort and yet ultimate triumph evaded him. “I express gratitude to my parent club, Lahore Gymkhana and to PGF for providing me an opportunity to enhance my golf career and bring financial relief to my family”.
And his views found support from the Tournament Director Dr Ali Haider Khan who said that, “this Jinnah Development has brought to the forefront many proficient and adept golf players who will in due course become front runners in national professional golf.”
While Sunny Masih and Muhammed Saeed found the limelight because of their standings, another one to beam and radiate in this Championship was twenty years old Asad Khan of PAF Islamabad. Young and skinny but looking in good athletic touch this capable one missed the top slot by one stroke. In the final round on Sunday he was masterly indeed and came up with a brilliant score of gross 69, three under par.
Others who did well are Nasir Masih at 217 and M. Safdar and Syed Bilal Hussain Shah at 218.
At the conclusion of the Championship the prizes were awarded to the winners by Hammad Mirza, Administrator Royal Palm in a ceremony attended by Shahid Abbas, Captain and Col Zahid Iqbal, Chief Referee and participating professionals.
