Greater Noida: 1982 Asian Games gold medalist and 1996 Arjuna Awardee Amit Luthra completed a fine four stroke victory over defending champion Gangesh Khaitan with a three day total of 232 after rounding off with a final round of four over 76.
Despite not hitting a birdie all day, Luthra played a steady round with as many as 8 pars to take the turn at one-over par, still a stroke behind overnight leader IPS Mann. The lead changed hands on the thirteenth hole when Luthra made yet another par while Mann dropped two strokes.
Mann never recovered from that blow and dropped atleast one stroke on each of the remaining holes. In the end, it was pretty comfortable for Luthra as by the time he was on the 16th tee box, he had a six stroke lead over his nearest challenger, Khaitan, the defending champion.
Another story that emerged was cricket legend Kapil Dev finishing fifth with a score of 239 and making the Indian team for the Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Championship to be played at Qingdao Golf Club in China later this year. After leading the Indian cricket team to glory at the 1983 world cup, this will be his chance to bring more laurels to the country, albeit playing a different sport.
Delhi’s Gen. R. K. Yadav who finished one stroke ahead of him to finish fourth will join him in the team.
In the various age categories, Amit Luthra captured the 55-59 years age group title while it was Gangesh Khaitan taking home the 60-64 years trophy. Delhi’s K. K. Bajoria completed a comprehensive 13 stroke wire to wire victory in the 65 & above category.
In the mid-amateur event played concomitantly, Vikram Rana beat the rest of the field by four strokes with a four day total of twelve-over 300. Chandigarh’s HS Kang finished runner up one stroke ahead of Noida’s Simarjeet Singh.