BHUBANESWAR 11-Jun-2012 260
Lakhi Swain, Babi Mishra, Rabati Pany, Rahan Ali and A Upadhyaya won titles in different categories of the season-ending tournament of Bhubaneswar Golf Club that took place at BGC Course here yesterday. Dalbir Singh, however, lived up to his reputation as one of the best golfers of the state in recent years, claiming the best gross trophy.
Competing with men in 17 to 23 handicap group, veteran lady golfer Lakhi Swain once again proved that she was better than many of her male counterparts, adding one more trophy to her growing showcase. South Korean Young Jo Jung of Posco finished runner-up behind Lakhi.
While pocketing the crown in the main category (0 t0 16 handicap), fun-loving Babi Mishra proved that on a given day he can be unbeatable. Sushant Mohapatra gave Mishra good fight but eventually contended himself as the runner-up. The title in 24 handicap and above category went to A Upadhyaya, while Rehan Ali and Gopinath Sarangi emerged champion and runner-up respectively in the senior category.
With this tournament, BGC completed one more year of its existence at the new picturesque course, which is located inside Infocity, a prime area of the city. But time has come for BGC to prove its worth in terms of serious golf instead of just providing entertainment to the rich and famous people of the city.
Time has also come for the sports-loving public of the state to know whether BGC is promoting golf or doing business and other things in the name of golf. After acquiring over 35 acres of land, the club officials have been requesting the state government to provide them more land to convert the nine-hole course into a 16-hole full-fledged one. But the question is without producing a golfer of national stature till date, does the club deserve more land and other concessions?
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PHOTO: Lakhi Swain with her trophy at the BGC Course in Bhubaneswar on June 10, 2012.
