Feature
THE DELIVERS
LOVE AFFAIR
WITH
GOA
A GREAT EVENT
by Digraj Singh
The Author is a Golf Entrepreneur and consultant. Has coached and also presented on golf.
Represented India in Amateur golf. Won the National Games and Sri Lanka National titles.
The Gala Evening
s a prelude to this report, I had written
about how a love affair for Goa had
led to the creation of a new golf
tournament, and this report follows
the successful execution of the same.
Conceived of by Suvir Ahuja, the
inaugural Goa Golf Carnival had a good start
with players from across the country coming
to participate in the event played at the Lalit
Golf and Spa Resort golf course on the 26th
and 27th of Oct 2018.
The event had two scoring formats to
appeal to all level of golfers and also give
it a legacy opportunity. All the players were
scored on both the formats which included
a 36 holes gross strokeplay with the winner
claiming the Goa Golf Cup and there was
also a 36 holes Nett Stableford contest with
the players scored off 75% of their original
handicaps. Young Tanmay Krishna from
Mumbai ¿ red one eagle and one birdie in
ahead and was leading at the turn. A late
blemish did not make a difference as he had
built up a good lead and won comfortably.
There were several skills based prizes
and also other contests to keep the game
exciting. Partnering Suvir Ahuja of Proed
Advisors LLP for the event were Digraj
Golf Inc and the event gave an opportunity
for local golfers to compete alongside good
players from across the country. Supporting
this new initiative help develop the sport
were sponsors Golf Plus, Paul John and
Athletic Drive.
his ¿ nal round of gross 82 to win the Goa
Golf Cup with a cumulative two day score
of 167 (85+82). Overnight leader Lt Col
Nikhileshwar from Nagpur, who opened
with a 79, had a bad stretch of golf midway
his second round and slipped to the third
position with a combined two day score of
176 (79+97) while Sanjeev Singh Jamwal of
Goa held his nerves and ¿ nished Runner up
with a score of 174 (84+90).
In the Nett Stableford Category, Ms.
Poornima BS from Goa was a comfortable
winner with a cumulative score of 65 points
(32+33), while Lt Col Nikhileshwar ¿ nished
Runner Up with a score of 62 stableford points
(38+24). The ¿ ght for the main championship
prize, the Goa Golf Cup was a close contest
with Nikhileshwar comfortably in the lead
till he had a disastrous 6th hole in the second
round in which he dropped 6 shots. Tanmay
in the meanwhile played steady golf to edge
Goa Golf Cup Champion - Tanmay Krishna with the event
promoters - Suvir Ahuja, Dolly Ahuja, Meeta Marwah and
Digraj Singh
Tournament Inauguration
50 G o l f P l u s
NOVEMBER
2018
Apart from Golf, the event also consisted
of fun elements for all non golfers as well
like a ladies putting competition, visit to the
Big Foot museum, private tour of the Paul
John distillery and many more such activities
which added to the experience of the guests.
It is hoped that this event will serve as a
catalyst for developing golf in Goa and also
attracting golf tourism into the beautiful state
of Goa.