India, South Africa to engage in first-of-its-kind golf Test series at RCGC

The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has along with the South African Golf Association set up a first-ever 'Golf Test Series, which will be played from December 2 to 4 at the iconic Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) here.

A strong eight-member amateur team comprising mid and senior amateurs from South Africa will take on hosts India, who are led by Asian Games gold medallist Amit Luthra and who still plays on the domestic circuit.

The series will be played in the Ryder Cup format but will feature four matches of foursomes on the first day, followed by four matches of fourballs on Day 2. The third and final day will feature eight singles matches.

Recently, a bunch of Indian youngsters went to South Africa to compete in some prominent amateur events.

The Indian side will see Amit Luthra, an Arjuna Awardee, who is also the current winner of the All India Seniors Championship besides Simarjeet Singh, who is a three-time winner of Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championships.

The Indian teams are being captained by Lakshman Singh, himself an Arjuna Award winner and gold medallist in Asian Games in both individual and team events.

The South African team comprises veteran Shaun Stapleton, a five-time Wanderers Champion with Team Manager Jock Wellington himself being eight-time Club Champion and three-time South Africa Senior champion. The team also has ace players like Steven Williams and Stefan Bommaert amongst them.

--IANS

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