D'Souza pips Varma on count-back in golf

Bangalore's David D'Souza, who has made it to the World Finals twice in the past, returned as a winner with 34 points in 0-5 handicap category while Vivek Varma matched his points to finish runner-up on count back of back nine on the first day of the Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival at the KGA course here Thursday.

Balasubramanya R. was victorious in the 6-10 handicap with 38 points while Mysore's champion lady golfer Sonam Chugh, finished one point behind at 37.

In the 11-15 handicap, Gurdeep Virdi and Shiv Navada both ended the day with 36 points with the former winning on count-back of back nine.

The winners of 16-20 and 21-24 handicap categories were Madhusudan K.T. (33 points) and Prabhakar Bothireddy (36), respectively, while the runners-up were Anand Pandit (32) and former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani (35).

While every winner in each of the five categories walked away with trophies and silver plated salvers, the winning team of Zuaber Ahmed and Nirod Kumar Lenka, who put together a joint score of 71 points, won a couple holiday voucher each.

The next three days will see a different field of around 120 players teeing off each day from all across India.

Professionals Khalin Joshi, Karan Taunk, IGU's regular Syed Saqib Ahmed and India's No.2 female amateur Aditi Ashok also teed off as special invitees. Also featuring the field of 120 players were cricketers Syed Kirmani, Sunil Joshi, Venkatesh Prasad, Sujith Somasunder and former hockey international player Ashish Ballal.

Consolidated results (Day 1):

0-5 Handicap Category: David D'Souza (34 points) 1, Vivek Varma (34). 6-10 Handicap: Balasubramanya R. (38) 1, Sonam Chugh (37) 2. 11-15 Handicap: Gurdeep Virdi (36) 1, Shiv Navada (36) 2. 16-20 Handicap: Madhusudan K.T. (33) 1, Anand Pandit (36) 2. 21-24 Handicap: Prabhakar Bothireddy (36) 1, Syed Kirmani (35) 2.