4th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship

ANKITA FLIES THE FLAG FOR INDIA, HOLE-IN-ONE FOR ARJUN GULATI

Greater Noida, November 23:

Ankita Kedlaya put in a gutsy performance to emerge winner of Category ‘B’, on the third and final day of the 4th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship India, being held at Jaypee Greens Golf Resort. In a close contest, Ankita came from three strokes back to pip Thailand’s Kanyalak Preedasutthijit by a shot.

The fourth edition of the tournament came to an end with Thailand’s golfers dominating both the individual and team competitions. The Thais topped Category ‘A’ (boys and girls), Category ‘B’ (‘boys), Category ‘C’ (girls) and Category ‘D’ (boys and girls). The exceptions to the rule were Ankita, Lucas Lee Jung Jim of Malaysia (Category ‘C’ boys), and Puneet Kaur Bajwa, topper in Category ‘E’. Thailand swept the board in the team event, winning all four trophies on offer – Category A&B (boys and girls) and Category C&D (boys and girls).

Ankita didn’t know she had won until after her round, so focused was she throughout the final day. “I was hoping to win, and gave it all I got,” said a very satisfied winner. Ankita, from Bangalore, closed with a one-over 73 and Kanyalak a five-over 77. Ankita held on despite a double bogey on 18, and it was ultimately the 14-year-old’s touch on the greens that made the difference. “The putts were falling,” she admitted.

India’s other hero of the day was Arjun Gulati. The Category ‘B’ lad, playing from the gold tees, aced the 5th hole, a day after Lucas Lee Jung Jim made an amazing albatross. Lucas returned his worst score of the three days but still ran out a comfortable winner, by 12 shots.

Apart from Puwit Anupansuebsai (Category ‘B’ boys), Nitithorn Thippong (category ‘A’ boys) and Benyapa Niphatsophon (Category ‘A’ girls), who won by one, three and five shots respectively, the Thais romped to victory. Kornkamal Sukaree finished Category ‘C’ (girls) 14 shots clear, Nattabutara Unyamanee was a 23-shot winner in Category ‘D’ (boys), while Unyamanee Wongaroon (Category ‘D’ girls) ended her campaign at Jaypee Greens a whopping 29 shots ahead of her nearest challenger.

Clearly, the Thais will be the ones to catch when the Albatross International Junior Golf Championship returns for a fifth edition in 2013. A fantastic week’s golf ended with a spectacular firework display, after the trophies and prizes had been handed out.