Indian golfers to get a taste of `Leadbetter method'David Leadbetter, recognised as one of the best golf instructor with students of the like of Nick Faldo, David Frost, Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els, Florence Descampe and Nick Price, will be sending his instructors to Mumbai.Indian golfers will have a taste of the `Leadbetter Method' with the tie-up of Shaw Wallace, David Leadbetter Golf Academy (DLGA) and International Management Group (IMG) for holding an invitational coaching camp from April 1-5 at the Royal Palms Golf and Country Club golf course.Addressing a press conference, Richard Alford, the general manager of IMG said that the event is the first of its kind in India. ``Golf is picking up in a big way in India and it is programmes like this which is sure to give it a big boost,'' he said. The cornerstone of this method is to have bigger muscles in charge of the overall swing. It evolves from the pivotal motion of the body and works outwards like `a dog wagging the tail'. Once thiseffective motion is achieved, the arms, hands, wrist hinge and club will work in unison with the turning of the body. This will achieve the necessary co-ordination in the swing, instead of the bigger and smaller muscles working separately thus causing inconsistency.The training programme will be held for three different groups. The first day will be for pros, instructors and amateurs. The other two days will see, celebrity golfers and CEO golfers benefit from it.Promise Cycle race on March 22The 19th Mumbai-Pune Promise cycle classic, organised by Maharashtra Cycling Association and sponsored by the House of Balsara, will be flagged off from the Mayor's Bungalow on March 22 at 7.00 a.m. The neutral section will last till the Sion Highway.With Rs 47,500 to be won, this classic is the richest race in the country. It has the ghat section, but it will be for the first time that cyclists will climb a new route.The fastest time clocked was in 1994 by Ghanshyam Parmar (4 hours, 18 minutes, 14seconds) and this year there is an incentive of Rs 5,000 for the cyclists to do the distance within 4 hours and 10 minutes. The winner gets to earn Rs 6,500 while the King of the Ghat will be richer by Rs 5,000.Bombay Gymkhana ladies snookerThe Bombay Gymkhana will be organising the first All-India Ladies Open prize-money snooker tournament from April 20 to 25.The entry fee is Rs 200 per participant. The prizes will be as follows: winner Rs 7,000, runner-up Rs 4,000, semi-finalist Rs 2,000, quarter-finalist Rs 1000 and highest break of over 50 Rs 1,000.The outstation participants will be assisted with accommodation only. All entries must be received in writing and the last date for entries is April 8.Bandra Gymkhana rink hockeyThe Bandra Gymkhana will be conducting an open rink hockey tournament for Mumbai's registered clubs from April 13-18. Entries will be accepted at the Gymkhana office, 42, St. Andrew's Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai 50 before April 4. More details can behad from Hugh Fernandes (6401602/6510513).
