Ranjit finds winning form in Signature golf tournament

Ranjit Singh (Raju) asserted his position as a top-notch golfer of Orissa after a long gap by winning the zero to eight handicap event in the Orissa chapter of the 8th McDowell’s Signature Club Golf Championship at Bhubaneswar Golf Club (BGC) in Bhubaneswar today. Jin Goo Kang and Gopinath Sarangi emerged winners in the nine to 16 and 17 to 24 handicap categories respectively. The winners and runners-up of the three categories qualified to represent BGC in the East Zone final to be held at Kolkata on December 7 and 8. Altogether 72 golfers, including eight ladies took part in the 9-hole stableford powerplay tournament. Sports Minister Praveen Bhanjadeo gave away the prizes and gifts in the presence of senior officials of BGC and McDowell Company. BGC officials requested the minister to help the club get the required land to make the course a full-fledged one. But a helpless Bhanjadeo made it clear that he has no power to allot land for the course. It is unfortunate that infrastructure for sports is being set up without use in many disciplines. But at the same time, games with proven credibility are not getting government support to set up the basic infrastructure facility. Is the BJD government, led by a progressive CM listening. Coming to golf, the Signature championship will conclude with the all-India final at Thailand during the last week of December. Results: 0-8 handicap category: Ranjit Singh (winner, 12 points), Dalbir Singh (runner-up, 6 pts). 9-16 handicap category: J G Kang (winner, 28 pts), Cmdr Jeeban Mohapatra (runner-up, 21 pts). 17-24 handicap category: Gopinath Sarangi (winner, 19 pts), Rehan Ali (runner-up, 19 pts). Other prizes winners: Powerplay: J G Kang (16 pts). Longest drive: Shailendra Upadhya (245 uards). Straightest drive: Rajib Sahoo (2 feet 5 inches). PHOTO: Prize winners and guests at the Signature Club Golf Championship in Bhubaneswar on Nov 22, 2009.