The first day of 5th PGF International Ladies Amateur Golf Championship saw a scintillating match under the thunder and resounding Air Show practice in the skies of Islamabad. The Championship managed entirely by an all ladies organizational and endorsed by Pakistan Golf Federation went into action on Friday, 17th March at the famed par 72 striking and remarkable Islamabad Golf Course.
At the end of Day 1 for Category A, Rimsha from Raya Golf Club Pakistan [Handicap 1] and Thitikrn from Thailand [Handicap 0] scored an amazing 74.
Tomorrow ladies will continue for Round two of Category A and Day 1 for Category B, C and Juniors.
Team Manager Phunamps Pornperapan, Ms. Thitikarn Thapasit and Ms Manassanan
Chotikabhukkana – Allsportspk
The opening flite comprised of the highly skilled zero handicapper, Thitikrin Thapasit from Thailand, and an equally capable and gifted Rimsha Ijaz from Defence Raya, Lahore also a part of this flite was the extra ordinary dexterous, one handicapper, Hamna Amjad from Karachi. As their handicaps indicate, these champion ladies have a notable presence when they fight it out on the golf course.
As the first round of 18 holes progressed discernible was the caliber loaded tee shots from the tees on all par fours and par fives and the powerfully accurate drives were backed by crisp approach shots to the green, in particular by Thitikrin and Rimsha that helped them to register regulation pars that were pleasing indeed.
While Thitikrin of Thailand looked undaunted and purposeful, Rimsha Ijaz remained unwavering and steadfast and there were times when even the Thai girl admired the artistry of Rimsha especially when she held onto her par making resoluteness through sublime adroitness. However, the flow of combat between Thitikrin and Rimsha over the first 18 holes can be classified as neck and neck and score wise they ended up tied. Rimsha ijaz compiled a first round score of gross 74, two over par and her adversary from Thailand also ended the day at gross 74.
“I played well during the first round on Friday and enjoyed the lay out of the islamabad Golf Course intensely “said Thikikrn. As for Rimsha, she was satisfied with the way she played and gained from the experience of competing against a player like Thikirin who has considerable international exposure. Rimsha hoped for a more rewarding score in the second round on Saturday.
Another pace setter of the first round was Mana Ssanan, a zero handicap playing lady from Thailand who ended the first round with a gross score of 76, two strokes behind the leaders Rimsha and Thitikrn. Her hitting was powerful indeed but pace of the greens did trouble her a bit. She is rich in international experience and hopes to find her way at the top through distinctive play during the second round .In the individual race for honors others who are not front runners but seek illustriousness are Nida Rizwan Mir of Qatar who is placed at a score of gross 79.
At a score of gross 81 are placed Ghazala Yasmin (Lahore Garrison ) and Humna Amjad (Karachi Golf Club). Parkha ijaz, another leading lady in Pakistan Golf circuit ended the first round in a mediocre way at a gross score of 83.
Out of the others, Ana James Gill scored 84, while Tehmina Ahmed and Syeda Iman Ali are at 86.
In the International Team Match that will be contested over two rounds, the Thai Team comprising of Thittikrn and Mana Ssanan had a team score of 150 while the Pakistani Team comprising of Parkha Ijaz and Humna Amjad lag behind at a team score of 164. The advantage right now is with the Thai Team.
Lady aspirants who play to a handicap ranging between 13 and 36 will be a part of the competition from Saturday and will be competing over 36 holes. They may not be champions, yet crave for performances that will upgrade them into national level stars.
The battle for top positions is on and we hope to see brilliance from these ladies in the second round on Saturday at the Islamabad Golf Course.
