Tight battles decide winners at NGC Yatharth Diwali Cup

By Rahul Banerji

At least four events of the NGC Yatharth Diwali Cup that was played at the Noida Golf Course last week were decided on count-back, an indication of the close contests that also marked other categories.

With the course playing long and greens rolling true thanks to the extended dry spell, it was neck-and-neck in all the 10 sections competition was held in.

This being the first full post-Covid event at NGC, enthusiasm was high, as was the turnout with as many as 545 entries received across all categories.

Members conveyed their appreciation of the efforts put in by the Yatharth Group, Yatharth Tyagi, Dr Ajay Tyagi, besides those by the NGC secretary and his team.

Social spacing and other precautions as required by Covid-19 protocols were observed on all four days of competition.

M.S. Narwan (45) was adjudged overall nett winner while Ashish Kapoor (72) topped the overall gross category ahead of Arjun Chandnani (74).

The super-seniors (75 years and above), seniors, ladies and handicap 0 to 10 all  needed count-backs to separate the winners from those coming in second.

In the Super-seniors, it was Colonel S.P.S. Aurora who edged out Wing Commander M.R. Dar after both finished with 21 points.

The Seniors title went to Col. Rakesh Thakur ahead of J.S. Chaudhry again on count-back with both golfers scoring 43 points, while in the Ladies, Anoop Singh prevailed over  Nalini Sharma with 38 points each.

Close competition

The fourth category decided on count-back was the 0 to 10 handicap section in which Amit Mishra (38 points) just edged out Rafikul Islam.

Mridul Mishra (45) topped the 10 to 18 handicap section and Ajay Kasana won in the 19 to 24 handicap group.

Vinamra Anand (11 to 15 years, 71 gross) and Arin Ahuja (16 to 19 years, 75 gross) won the two dependant members competitions.

Arjun Chaudhary with a level par 72 won the professional members event ahead of Pintu Haldar and Lakshya Nagar, both of whom carded 79s and Haldar finished ahead, again on count-back.

Bipin Mukhya with a 7-over par 79 topped the Caddies competition ahead of Ravi Sharma (80) and Sukhdev Singh (81).

Results

Super seniors (75 years and abov): 1. Col S.P.S. Aurora 21 (on countback), 2. Wg Crd M.R. Dar 21

Seniors (65 to 74 years): 1. Col Rakesh Thakur 43 (on countback), 2. J.S. Chaudhry 43

Ladies: 1. Anoop Singh 38 (on countback), 2. Nalini Sharma 38

Handicap 0 to 9: 1. Amit Mishra 36 (on countback), 2. Rafikul Islam 36

Handicap 10 to 18: 1. Mridul Mishra 45, 2. Rishi Sahai 42

Handicap 19 to 24: 1. Ajay Kasana 42, 2. Rajeev Sharma 41

Professional members (gross): 1. Arjun Chaudhary 72, 2. Pintu Haldar 79 (on countback), 3. Lakshya Nagar 79

Dependant members 11 to 15 years (gross): 1. Vinamra Anand 71, 2. Sukhman Singh 74

Dependant members 16 to 19 years (gross): 1. Arin Ahuja 75, 2. Akshat Sharma 76

Caddies (gross): 1. Bipin Mukhya 79, 2. Ravi Sharma 80, 3. Sukhdev Singh 81

Overall gross: 1. Ashish Kapoor 72, 2. Arjun Chandnani 74

Overall (nett): M.S. Narwan 45

Also read: Good response to ongoing NGC Yatharth Diwali Cup