Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, March 17: It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Asian and Australian ladies golf circuit. And it has come to India after 12 years. The coveted 20th Queen Sirikit Cup Tournament took off with a bang at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club BPGC, here today. Dilip Dandekar, president of BPGC declared the tournament open today in a colourful opening ceremony amidst music and dance.
All the teams who had submitted their entries were there for the opening ceremony celebrations except China. According to Sarah Philips, convenor of the Indian Golf Union Ladies section IGULS, the Chinese squad will not be taking part in the three-day event as their team failed to obtain their visas on time.
Apart from hosts India, defending champion8217;s Japan, Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philipines, Sri Lanka and Thailand will be seen in action.
Essentially a 54-hole strokeplay event, the best two cards of the three member team will be taken into consideration.
Sinceits inception in 1979, the trophy, donated by Queen Sirikit of Thailand has been won by four countries. Australia and Korea have lifted the Cup six times each followed by Japan five times and New Zealand twice.
The Japanese non-playing captain Mayumi Satofuka looked very keen on catching up with the record for maximum victories. quot;We have a very good team. We have a come a long way down here and want nothing less than victory,quot; she said.
Though the Australians hold the record for maximum number of victories, they last won the Cup way back in 1988 in Thailand. quot;We haven8217;t been winning but we have always managed to be among the top few. But I think its time now to make a statement,quot; said Australian captain Maisie Mooney.
The amateur champions Korea too have built up a reputation for themselves over the years. Of all the teams they have the best winning ratio 8212; six from 12 outings. Last year at Manila they finished runners-up behind Japan by four strokes.
The Indian team of Vandana Agarwal, ParnitaGarewal and Urvashi Sethi Sodhi is being led by Nonita Lal Qureshi who is very optimistic about the girls. quot;Parnita is in terrific form, Vandana has been playing very well and Urvashi too is quite a fighter. I see no reason why we should not make it,quot; said the Indian captain.
The best effort by India In the Sirikit Cup has been fourth place, in 1995 Japan and 1986 New Delhi.
The Indian hopes got a further boost today when Urvashi8217;s team won the first place in a stableford event in a preamble to the main event. Amongst the Indians, Vandana Agarwal plays with Adele Bannerman Aus and Lu Hsia Chuan Chi Tai tomorrow. Parnita Garewal tees-off with Carmalette Villa Roman Phi and Hung Chin Huei Chi Tai while Urvashi will be seen along Wie Yun Jei Chi Tai and Misato Nishikawa Jap.
Most of the players had a feel of the course and admitted it will be tough going. quot;It looks straight and easy. But at the end of the day you feel like eating up your card,quot; said Maisie Mooney.
