Cricketers hold their own at DGC charity golf event

By Rahul Banerji

Former India cricketers Kapil Dev and Murali Kartik stepped up to deliver at the Delhi Golf Club and helped raise a healthy sum for Covid-19 relief in their exhibition game on Saturday.

Playing alongside professionals Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shunhankar Sharma respectively, the two cricketers were impressive in their golfing avatar, bringing in matching nett cards of 4-over 76 at the ‘Champions for a Cause’ event.

The outing also gave Bhullar and Shubhankar their first competitive feel of the recently renovated layout of the DGC, the two teams finishing level on scores of -5 each.

Chennai industrialist and golf enthusiast Dilip Thomas was the lead donor on the day. DCB Bank, Yaantra.com and SRF Foundation also contributed along with several individual donations to total almost Rs 50 lakh in all.

One of a kind

Charity organisation Magic Bus will be the beneficiary of this first such domestic initiative in the post-lockdown period, which was also a unique played-for-television event.

Eurosport is slated to telecast the round next Saturday at 9.30 pm.

On the day, Bhullar carded a 70 on the par 72 course with Kapil Dev adding 76. Shubhankar returned a 73 and his partner Kartik matched Kapil in the tied match.

Speaking about his round and the course, former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Shubhankar said, “It was really good to be out and playing on a championship course after quite a break.

“It played really smooth and I congratulate the DGC and the entire team that came up with this fantastic effort.

“Looking forward to some top competition in the coming months and this round with such top athletes will do my confidence a world of good.”

Gaganjeet brushed away talk of a non-competitive round saying, “If you have one of the best young talents of world golf in Shubhankar and legends like Kapil Paaji teeing off alongside, you know that no quarter is going to be given.

“I guess that is visible after the round now. I was also very surprised to see how high on golf skills Murali Kartik has become nowadays.

“Just goes to show that athletes across sport share common traits. It was a refreshing experience today and we are glad we could contribute to a noble cause as well.”

Golfer-businessman Rishi Narain handed over a cheque of Rs 45,62,500  to Magic Bus India, in the presence Delhi Golf Club officials.

Also read: Golfers Kapil Dev, Karthik to hit fairways for a good cause