Tags:
Journalism of Courage
February 3: Parnita garewal’s quick recovery from her lone slip-up on the day helped her clinch the Billoo Sethi Trophy — the prelude to the All-India ladies golf championships co-sponsored by ABN Amro Bank and Kores India at the Bombay Presidency Golf Course, today.
The 17-year-old Chandigarh girl floundered on the 17th but pulled back a stroke on the 18th en route to a record-breaking round of 69 and an aggregate of 145 in the 36-hole stroke play event which presented a par-72 for ladies.
Garewal finished 10 strokes clear of runner-up, 19-year-old Anjali Chopra of Delhi, the overnight leader with a card of 75 but who disappointed today with an 80.
The previous course record was set by Nonita Lall Quereshi of Delhi, the five-time national champion. Nonita, after a first-day 77, managed just 85 to finish distant fifth here.
Visions of a close tussle between Anjali Chopra — into the final 18 holes with a one-stroke lead — did not come about. Anjali, starting promisingly with a birdie, managed justpar eight holes. She went out in 39 and dropped five strokes on the way back for her 80.
Vandana Agarwal of Calcutta failed to enter the reckoning after a first-day round of 78. She went out in 39 for her score of 80 and an aggregate of 158.
Urvashi Sodhi went the other way, following Agarwal with 81 and 75, with three birdies to attain an aggregate of 156 and third place.
Disaster for Shayankiia de Silva of Colombo, rated a four handicapper. After yesterday’s disappointment, she slipped further today with a round of 91.
Inter-Zone honours went to North, represented by Parnita Garewal, Anjali Chopra and Nonita Lall Quereshi notched an aggregate of 300. Following North were South, comprising Urvashi Sethi-Sodhi, Sonya D Singh and Rupa Srinivasan with 329.
Thirteen-year-old Pragya Mishra of Chennai, who led the field in the Bronze Division (handicap of 19-30) with a round of 85, came home today in 93 to have the best gross aggregate score of 178.
OTHER RESULTS: Tata Steel Trophy: (Best Nettin Silver Div): Neesha D’Silva (146), Urvashi Sethi-Sodhi (150); VST Trophy (Best Gross Juniors): Parnita Garewal 145; Best Nett: Neha Majithia 138; Leslie Sawhney Trophy for the Inter-Zonal: North Zone (Silver Div); PA Robinson Trophy: West Zone (Bronze Div); London Pilsner Trophy (Seniors) for Best Gross: Lolly Kamat (190), Best Nett: Minnie Kochar (152); Bronze Div (Best Gross Any One Day) Pragya Mishra; 36 Holes Best Nett: Pragya Mishra (140) 1. Pettam Vally (143) 2; Silver Div: Best Gross Any One Day: Parnita Garewal (69); Best Gross (30-36 Handicap): Neha Majithia 202).
AI CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW: Thirteen-year-old Pragya Mishra of Chennai made the draw for the All-India Matchplay Championship, thanks to a reduction of her handicap from 19 to 18 — a development stemming from her performance on the first day in the Bronze Division where she came home with a round of 85. Although she had a card of 93 on the second day for an aggregate of 178, she topped the list in the Bronze Division.
Pragya Mishrawill meet Shakuntala Chauhan in the first round and if she progresses will take on top-seeded Vandana Garewal, the national champion.The number two seed is Chandigarh’s Parnita Garewal. Anjali Chopra and Nonita Lal Quereshi are seeded third and fourth respectively.
