Ladies Open and Handicap Golf event from September 2-4

Chennai: Madras Ladies Open and Handicap Golf championship, a categorised event, will be held here from September 2 to 4.Rani Chadda, Committee Member of the championship, said the best amateur golfers from all over the country would be

competing in this event to earn points for the National Order of Merit. "Teams that represent India in International amateur events are selected based on categorized events and their standings in the national order of merit. Therefore, this inaugural event for this season, assumes importance," she told reporters. Meanwhile, Ishwar Achanta, Council Member of Indian Golf Union and Chairman Technical rules and amateur status committee of the Federation, said "there has been a proposal for merging the IGU Ladies section with the main IGU. The process is on and the merger is likely to take place mid next year". As for the format of the championship, Rani Chadda said it would be played for three days as 54 holes stroke play and is conducted in three different divisions. The event is open only to lady golfers with a valid handicap up to 36. As many as 25 junior golfers would be seen in action in the event. In all, 23 golfers in Gold Division (handicap 12 and below), 22 in Silver division (13 to 24) and eight golfers in bronze division (25 to 36) have confirmed participation. Daily net prizes in each division (Medal, Bogey and Stableford) would be given during the championship besides a prize for the best putter of the tournament over 54 holes and best gross score of the tournament. Bureau Report