THE pull-out by Wills Sport has not only hit cricket but also golf, which was a major recipient of funds from the tobacco multinational. However, the show had to go on and new helping hands had to be found for the sport to thrive.
The last fixture of the Indian Professional Golfers' Association, thus, had a new sponsor and returned after three long years to the Bangalore Golf Club.
The Karnataka Golf Association had hiked its course fee which in turn forced IPGA to consider an alternate venue. Luckily, Bangalore Golf Club, celebrating its 125th year anniversary, was keen on hosting the tournament. Leela Palace, the luxury hotel, was also launching its Bangalore unit, thus BGC and Leela Palace combined to sponsor IPGA's final stop.
All was not smooth though. The course is being refurbished. Only a few holes were ready for use. The players had 14 playable holes, which was a mixture of the old and the new. The other four holes had to be repetitions, but none of the 51 professionals and eight amateurs were complaining. Everyone was indeed raring to.
The tournament had competitive value in more ways than one. Apart from the prize money at stake, there was a neck and neck tussle for the Mahindra Champion Golfer of the Year award worth Rs. 8.5 lakh between Vijay Kumar and Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh was under some pressure, as he had also won the Champion Golfer Award last year. Other annual awards like the Rookie of the Year was in the safe keeping of Rahul Ganapaty and the Putter of the Year award was clinched by Indrajit Bhalotia.
So, with almost Rs. 10 lakh at stake, Vijay Kumar and Mukesh Kumar were all set to battle. Both golfers began soundly, sharing the lead on the opening day with cards of two under 66.
Vijay Kumar gave Mukesh a sleepless night on the second day, stealing a one stroke advantage with a card of one under 67 while the latter could only finish with a par 68.
But on the penultimate day, after 54 holes, Mukesh Kumar had a three-stroke advantage. Five birdies and a bogey helped the professional from Mhow, Mukesh Kumar, hand in a card of four under 64 and sail smoothly into the lead.
Vijay Kumar, in desperation, sacked his local caddie for not giving him the right putting line on the final day and tried hard to close the gap between himself and Mukesh. But Mukesh was in his elements, firing in long birdies, including a 30-foot putt on the 17th hole. Vijay was not only beaten but outclassed as Mukesh settled the issue with a five-stroke lead after 72 holes.
Bangalore boy Gaurav Dewan won the amateur section. Gaurav improved his card every day, starting with five over and finishing with a level par score on the final day to end with a cumulative score of 12 over 284. David D'Souza finished runner-up.
The results: (72 holes):Professionals:1. Mukesh Kumar 264 (66, 68, 64, 66); 2. Vijay Kumar 269 (66, 67, 68, 68); 3. Vinod Kumar 271 (68, 66, 69, 68); 4. Feroz Ali 274 (68, 67, 68, 71).
Amateurs:1. Gaurav Dewan 284 (73, 72, 71, 68); 2. David D'Souza 298 (74, 76, 72, 76); 3. Anand Ranga Moola 305 (75, 79, 77, 74).
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