Commander Tees Off First Afghan Open in 30 Years

[Champ]

By David Brunnstrom

QARGHA, Afghanistan (Reuters) - At a resort that became a battlefield, Afghans teed off Friday in their country's first open golf tournament in more than 30 years.



As is still the way in Afghanistan (news - web sites), the first shot of the day at the Kabul Golf Club went to the local militia commander, applauded by his men with shouldered Kalashnikovs.

But organizers say they hope their tournament, contested by 40 local caddies in a picturesque valley just outside the capital, will help bring a new era in which the only risks are from golf balls, not bullets, flying down the fairways.

The club describes itself as the best and only course in Afghanistan and promises "golf with an attitude."

Hazards are unorthodox, from the bombed out club house below the dramatic first tee on a ledge high up the valley, to the odd spent shell or scurrying lizard.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=583&ncid=583&e=8&u=/nm/20041129/od_nm/sport_afghan_golf_dc

[tk2kewl]

1. nice to see everything is back to normal

I'm sure golf has always been a big part of Afghan life

[Aiptasia]

2. I always thought landmines would make golf more intersting

[Ezlivin]

3. Yes, the bunkers on either side of hole 7 are very dangerous

Talk about playing with a handicap....