Date:09/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/09/stories/2004080904681600.htm

Sport - Golf

Selvadurai emerges champion

CHENNAI, AUG. 8. L. Selvadurai of ONGC showed all his experience while carving out a remarkable win with an aggregate of 149 in the two-day The Sportstar Open golf tournament on Sunday. The event was organised by the Madras Gymkhana Club.

A stroke behind Nikhil Cherian and Nagaraj overnight, Selvadurai, who plays for the Rajamundry Godavari Golf Club, began with a birdie to nudge the leaders. With the wind a little stiffer and the heat conditions a lot more trying today, it needed some steady and cautious play to keep to the course.

While Selvadurai succeeded with his chips and putts to a great extent, Nikhil and Nagaraj got bogged down.

Establishing a four-stroke lead by the seventh hole, Selvadurai virtually assured himself of the glittering trophy. In the end, he returned two-over par today compared to the 77 on the first day.

It was neither Nikhil nor Nagaraj but the young Darshan Veeraraghavan who finished behind Selvadurai with an aggregate of 154 (75 on Sunday).

In the handicapped class, Ms Premlatha Ramraj maintained her overnight lead to finish with a 135 nett for the first prize. Venkatesh Rajagopal, with 138 nett, came next.

Mr. N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.

Also present on the occasion, among others, were Mr. Dharma Ebenezer, Secretary, Madras Race Club, and Mr. C.S. Sivanandan, President, Madras Gymkhana Club. Mr. K.C. Sukumar, golf captain, MGC, welcomed the gathering.

Other results:

Team event: 1. I.K. Ponappa, Venkatesh Rajagopal, C. Jaichander; 2. Darshan Veeraraghavan, V. Sanjay Kumar, Rajan Sayal.

Bogey competition: Winner: K. Sundar +3.

Stableford: S.B. Swaminathan 38.

Closest-to-the-pin: Abhinav Suresh (Padma Seshadri BB, K.K. Nagar) with a hole in one. — Our Special Correspondent