P.S. Sharda is overall nett winner at NGC-Oil India New Year Cup

By Rahul Banerji

P.S. Sharda emerged overall nett winner of the Noida Golf Course’ (NGC) Oil India New Year Cup that was played over the weekend with good numbers turning out despite the record spell of cold that has gripped the region.

Sharda returned a nett card of 62, a record score, according to tournament committee chairman Simarjeet Singh.

Simarjeet then took up his clubs to come in second in the overall gross section with a 76 card, one shot behind winner Arjun Chandnani’s round of 75.

In all, 507 members participated over the three days the NGC Oil India New Year Cup was played with competition spanning every category, from super-seniors to ladies, to dependants, professional members and caddies.

Tight scores

With greens running faster than usual thanks to careful preparation, plenty of low scores were recorded. Raju Singh won the professional members section with a level par 72 card, four ahead of runner-up Arjun Chaudhary (76) and six better than second runner-up Satvir Sharma (78).

In the blue riband 0-9 handicap section, Mohit Sachdev finished just one point ahead of Raghubar Sinbgh 71 to 72, while Nalini Singh edged out June Choudhari by the same margin, 73 to 74, to top the ladies competition.

The competition was no less in the NGC super-senior event with B.L. Mehra getting past runner-up Col M.L. Vij, 28 points to 29 while honours in the seniors section went to Cmde V.K. Thakur who amassed 64 points ahead of second-placed B.S. Saini’s 66.

Count-back

The handicap 10-18 event was in fact won on count-back as winner V.C. Jha and runner-up Vijay Mohan finished level on 68 points, an indication of how intense the battles were in practically every section of competition.

Other winners included Sanjay Bhalla (63, handicap 19-24), Arin Ahuja (78, dependant members 11-15 years, gross),  Akhilendra Sabherwal (76, dependant members 16-19 years, gross), and Bipin Mukya (77, caddies, gross).

Sponsor support

Taylormade India came forward to support the NGC Oil India tournament with each entrant receiving a glove and a sleeve of Taylormade’s Noodle balls, while spot prizes include Greg Norman branded shorts besides other gear.

Bank of Baroda were the other main sponsor,

Other backers included Acoosta and SureGolf, who contributed in varying ways.

Participating members had good words for club secretary Steven Menezes and his team for all the work they had put in to make the tournament a memorable and successful one.

Results

Super seniors: 1. B.L. Mehra 28, 2. Col M.L. Vij 29

Seniors: 1. Cmde V.K. Thakur 64, 2. B.S. Saini 66

Ladies: 1. Nalini Sharma  73, 2. June Choudhari 74

Handicap 0-9: 1. Mohit Sachdev 71, Raghubar Sinbgh 72

Handicap 10-18 (on countback): 1. V.C. Jha 68, 2. Vijay Mohan 68

Handicap 19-24: 1. Sanjay Bhalla 63, 2. Lt Col Sunil Yadav 67

Professional members (gross): 1. Raju Singh 72, 2. Arjun Chaudhary 76, 3. Pintu Haldar 78

Dependant members (11-15 yrs, gross): 1. Arin Ahuja 78, 2. Akshat Sharma 79

Dependant members (16-19 yrs, gross): 1. Akhilendra Sabherwal 76, 2. Tanmay Rakheja 84

Caddies (gross): 1. Bipin Mukya 77, 2. Ravi Sharma 81, 3. Manoj B. 84

Overall gross: 1. Arjun Chandnani 75, 2. Simarjeet Singh 76

Overall nett: P.S. Sharda 62

Also read: NGC Oil India New Year Cup draws record number of entries