September 19, 2015: It did not all turn out as planned this week, but Kapil Dev will be pleased that he managed to stay within the top six. The legendary cricketer qualified for the Asia-Pacific Senior Championship to be held at Qingdao Club in China from October 14-16 by finishing fifth at the IGU Senior Championship. Amit Luthra won the title. (Latest Golf News)
The 1983 World Cup winning captain fired a round of nine-over 81 for the three days total of 23-over 239 at Jaypee Greens Golf Club. Amit Luthra, 1982 Asian Games gold medalist won the 54-hole tournament. He shot four-over 76 to clinch the title at 16-over 232 on his debut in 55 and above age category.
The 1996 Arjuna Awardee said; “I think you have got to be bold to get a gold and that is exactly I have done all my life. I am very happy to win here during my first appearance in senior category and I am very excited to represent India at the Asia-Pacific after a sabbatical of 15 years,” said Luthra. The six member team will consist of Noida’s Gangesh Khaitan, Delhi’s Gen R K Yadav, overnight leader IPS Mann of Chandigarh and Noida’s Vijay Kumara Bhadana, apart from Dev and Luthra.
Khaitan who has been a regular in the team for last 5 years shot a card of nine-over 81 for the total of 20-over 236 to finish as runner-up.
Yadav and Mann finished tied 3rd at 22-over 238, while Bhadana came 6th at 24-over 240.
IGU has been sending teams for the Asia-Pacific Senior for many years and India has a record of winning a bronze medal in the 2010 Asia-Pacific Senior amateur Championship in Thailand for the first time ahead of Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and others.
On the fourth and final day of mid-Amateur (Below 55 age category) Championship happening concurrently, Delhi’s Vikram Rana kept his nerve to win the tournament after carding four-over 76 for the total of 12-over 300. Chandigarh’s HS Kang finished 2nd at 16-over 304 while one stroke behind was Noida’s Simarjeet Singh at 3rd.
