46 in fray for ladies golf tourney from Sep 12

Chennai, Sep 8 (UNI) About 46 golfers from across the country would vie for honours in the Madras Ladies Open and Handicap championship, which will tee off at the Cosmo-TNGF Golf course here from September 12.

Briefing newspersons here last night, Ms Dimple Khanna, Tournament Committee Chairperson and Ms Gayatri Sridhar, Vice-Chairperson, said the four-round tournament was being organised by the South India Ladies Golf Association under the aegis of the Indian Golf Union Ladies Section.

The tournament would be a 72-hole stroke play event and would be played under three divisions - Gold (Handicap 12 and below), Silver (Handicap 13 to 24) and Bronze (Handicap 25-36).

The absence of 2005-06 Order of the Merit leader Irina Brar of Chandigarh, who is suffering from an injury, and four leading golfers - Bhavna Shetty, Manavi Halwasia, Shraddhanjali Singh and Kanika Minocha, pursuing their studies in the US, has left the field wide open for emerging young talents like Sharmila Nicollet, Vaishavi Sinha and Megna Bal.

However, they have to contend against experienced players like Shruti Khanna and the seasoned Vandana Agarwal.

The unique feature of the tournament was the participation of four young school girls from the city, who would be playing in a categorised event for the first time.

Mr Ishwar Achanta would be the Chief Referee.

The player with the best gross score over 72 holes would bag the Open title and the ICL Trophy, while the Silver division winner would be awarded the Essar Trophy.

The best putter, tabulated over 54 holes, would be given the Servall trophy.

Captain of Ladies Golf section Ms Prema and IGU Ladies section South India representative Ms Jayashree Bharat were also present.

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