Bonallack Trophy set for grand tee-off

The Karnataka Golf Association, having missed the 2010 edition that was cancelled, is all decked up to host the three-day Bonallack Trophy amateur golf tournament played between Europe and Asia-Pacific teams commencing here Wednesday.

The European team, skippered by Welshman Andrew B Morgan, is touted as the favourites to win the trophy for the sixth time in eight meetings though their players will be landing here from colder climes.

The Asia-Pacific contingent that has a lone Indian in Jamshedpur's Karan Taunk, will be looking to emulate the performances of 2002 and 2004 when the region won back-to-back in Japan and Italy, respectively.

In fact, barring those two debacles, the Europeans have always enjoyed dominance highlighted best by their 21.5-10.5 drubbing in Portugal two years ago.

The tournament, open to the cream of amateur players in the respective regions, has proved to be a nurturing ground for World-class talent with the likes of Irishman Rory McIlroy, currently World No.6.

The KGA was to host the event in 2010, but it was cancelled due to disruption in flights from Europe in the wake of volcanic eruptions in Iceland that sent out massive ash clouds.

The Europeans had a practice session and Morgan admitted that for most of his players, the season was just about commencing, but some of them had played in Australia recently and thus, the heat would not be a major factor over the next three days.

"For us, it is very early in the season, but as some of these guys have been playing in Australia and have had the experience of playing in the heat, they all are looking in a great form. Players are between the ages of 16-27 which is a good age range for this kind of tournament," said Morgan at a Media conference here Tuesday.

The European contingent includes 16-year old Dominic Foos of Germany while at the other end of the spectrum is Ryan Evans of England who at 26, is the most experienced player in the team.