2 matches, 3 trophies for top golf tourney

AVIJIT SINHA

The army golf course in Bengdubi. File picture Siliguri, March 14: The only golf tournament in north Bengal will be held in two segments with three trophies on offer in the Dooars and the Terai this year. The Himalayan Endeavour Golf will be organised at Ranicherra in Jalpaiguri on March 17 and at Bengdubi near here the next day. Previously, only one trophy was given in the tournament that enters the 17th year in 2012. The Siliguri-based Himalayan Endeavour Group is the organiser of the tourney that is set to witness the participation of 100 amateurs from across north Bengal, Calcutta, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. “This is the first time that we are holding the event in two segments with different trophies. The games will be played in the Dooars and the Terai. With the expansion of the cup, the number of players will also shoot up to 100 from around 60 in the previous years,” said Vinay Gurung, the administrative co-ordinator of the cup. The organisers said the first leg of the tournament would be held at the Western Dooars Golf Club at Ranicherra in Jalpaiguri on March 17 on Stableford 2/3 handicap system. Golfers are allocated a certain number of points on a hole depending on the net score of the player under this system. “The winner of the game on the first day will be awarded the Dooars Cup and a cash prize of Rs 20,000. The runner-up will take home Rs 10,000,” said Gurung. On the second day, players will vie for the Himalayan Endeavour Cup at the army golf course in Bengdubi, 20km from Siliguri. “The format of the game and the prizes would be the same like the Dooars Cup,” said another official. The highlight of the tournament this year is the North Bengal Open Cup to be awarded to the golfer who scores highest points. The score will be the aggregate of points in both the segments. The player who lifts the North Bengal Open Cup will receive Rs 25,000, while the first and second runners-up will be given Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.(Telegraph)