David D'souza edges Saqib Ahmed out of winning position on Day One of Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival

The Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival got off to a great start at the KGA with more than 120 enthusiastic amateur golfers, including Bangalore's star International golfers S. Chikkarangappa and Khalin Joshi who turned professional at the beginning of this year, and top amateurs Syed Saqib Ahmed and Anisha Padukone teeing off for a spot in the Indian team for the World Golfers Championships. Also present on the day were legendary cricketers GR Vishwanath, Erapalli Prasanna, Syed Kirmani alongside former hockey international star Ashish Ballal and tennis star Rohan Bopanna, lending some star power to the proceedings.

Taking the lead for the day was 2012 Duke of Edinburgh Cup winner David D'Souza in the 0-5 category, scoring a nett score of 37, calculated under the Modified Stableford Format edging past TATA Steel Haryana Open Winner and 2011 Junior Golfer of the Year Saqib Ahmed by a single point. Jyonko Hashayi and Amit Jaipuria in the 21-24 category, both ended the day at 37 points as well, with Amit Jaipuria winning on count-back, scoring 12 points in the back nine.
 
While every winner in each of the five categories (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-24), walked away with a Trophy and a Callaway Hybrid, the winning team of Amit Japuria and Balasabrunyam R, who carded a joint score of 79, won a couple voucher each for 3 Nights and 4 Days at The Serai in Karnataka.

With pleasant Bangalore weather providing the perfect setting, and close to 400 golfers yet to tee off, KGA will play host to some more rounds of great golf over the next three days as part of the Toyota Karnataka Golf Festival.


Consolidated Results of Day 1

Best Nett Individual Score
David D'Souza - 37 points

0- 5 Handicap Category
Runner-up: Saquib Ahmed: 36 points; Handicap - 0
Winner:David D'Souza: 37 points; Handicap - 4

6-10 Handicap Category
Runner-up: Sagar Muthapa: 32 points; Handicap - 7
Winner: Utpal Desai: 37 points; Handicap - 9

11-15 Handicap Category
Runner-up:Tony Udagendara - 35 points; Handicap - 15
Winner:  Balasubramanya R- 42 points; Handicap - 14

16-20 Handicap Category
Runner-up: Madappa B C: 36 points; Handicap - 20
Winner: Ravi Sharma: 42 points; Handicap - 18

21-24 Handicap Category
Runner-up:Jyonko Hashayai: 37 points; Handicap - 24
Winner: Amit Jaipuria: 37 points; Handicap - 21