64th National Amateur Golf Championship 2025 Marks Historic Shift in Women’s Golf

Champions are not made by chance; they are shaped by perseverance, discipline, and uncompromising standards. The 64th National Amateur Golf Championship 2025, held in Lahore this September, will be remembered not only for crowning a champion but also for ushering in a bold new era for women’s golf in Pakistan.

In its most decisive reform to date, the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) announced that all prizes at the national level will now be awarded solely on gross scores. This move aligns Pakistan’s domestic game with international standards, where only gross scoring is recognized.

The change reflects a journey that began three years ago. At the 2nd Ghazala Ansari Championship in 2022, gross-only prizes were introduced for women for the first time. Later that year, the Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL) adopted the same approach, ensuring that juniors across Pakistan competed by global benchmarks. By extending this principle to the pinnacle of amateur competition, PGF has now firmly embedded the philosophy into the women’s game.

“This is about preparing our golfers for international competition. Gross scoring reflects true ability, and tougher benchmarks will produce tougher players,” a PGF official said.

The championship perfectly illustrated this vision through the performance of Dr. Aania Farooq. Calm under pressure, she claimed the national title with authority, finishing seven strokes clear of the field with a score of 246. Her victory was not just personal but symbolic, underlining the standard of excellence PGF aims to nurture.

The event also highlighted promising new talent. Thirteen-year-old Aleesa Rashid impressed the field by competing from the men’s white tees—over 6,000 yards—and finishing seventh in a field of 18. Her courage and consistency evoked memories of the legendary Ghazala Ansari, whose name is tied to the reforms reshaping women’s golf. Another standout was Jessica Tassawar, who, under the coaching of Col. Masood, emerged as a surprise contender, narrowly missing second place on a back count.

Yet this progress unfolds during a period of transition. Several leading players, including Humna Amjad, Ghazala Yasmeen, and Arooba Ali, turned professional earlier in 2025. But with only a handful of events available, opportunities for competitive play remain scarce. At the same time, a group of elite amateurs—such as Parkha and Rimsha Ijaz, Danyha and Abyiha Sayid, and others—have left Pakistan to pursue collegiate golf abroad, leaving a gap at home.

PGF is determined to address this challenge. The removal of net prizes in World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) events is already a major step forward. Officials and coaches also stress the need for transparent, merit-based selection for international tournaments and more domestic competitions to strengthen juniors like Aleesa Rashid, Sara Ameen, and Zoey Qureshi.

The path ahead may be demanding. Scores may fall before they rise, and player numbers may dip before new depth is developed. But the bold stance taken this year sends a clear message: Pakistan’s women golfers will now be measured by the same standards as the world’s elite.

The 64th National Amateur Golf Championship 2025 was therefore more than just another tournament. It was a declaration of philosophy. By insisting on gross-only recognition, PGF has drawn a new line for the future—one where convenience will no longer outweigh merit, and where Pakistan’s women golfers rise to compete with the very best.