Rigel Fernandes wins Toyota
IGU All India Junior Golf Championship
New Delhi, Jan 5: 15 year old Rigel Fernandes from Mangalore who is
currently based at the IMG Academies in Florida won the Toyota IGU All India
Junior Golf Championship held at the Army Golf Course in New Delhi from Dec 27
to 30, 2011. Rigel won the Category A (under 18 years) by a margin of 9 strokes
over Satwin Jain of Army Golf Course, New Delhi by scoring a total of 254 over 4
rounds of 74, 75, 70 and 35 (9 holes). Satwik Jain had scores of 76, 75, 72 and
40 for a total of 263. Rigel was also the overall winner in the A-B category
over Viraj Madappa of Tollyganj Golf Club, Calcutta by 5 strokes. Viraj scored
77, 76, 70 and 36 for a total of 259. The playing conditions were pretty tough
in New Delhi with fog and bad light playing havoc all through the four days. The
final days play had to be reduced to 9 holes due to severe fog with very little
visibility. On the final day where play was delayed until 11:15 am, Rigel
started as the leader after the third round with a 4 stroke lead over Viraj
Madappa in the combined A-B categoy. He started in an excellent fashion with a
birdie on hole no. 1. Viraj pulled one back with a birdie on hole no. 2 to
Rigel’s par to keep him in contention. On the third hole, Rigel hit into the
trees on the right side of the fairway and ended up with a bogie thereby
reducing the overall lead to 3 strokes. After that it was safe game for both
Rigel and Viraj resulting in pars until the 8th hole where the players started
making their moves again. Rigel chipped his 3rd shot 10 feet from the hole for
another birdie. Viraj however hit long and had to be content with a bogie
thereby handing over a 5 shot lead to Rigel. The 9th hole being the last hole
played resulted in a par for both players.
Last year, Rigel had won the
Category B and was runner up in Category A in this tournament. This is the only
tournament Rigel is able to play in India as he studies and trains at the IMG
Academies in Florida, USA and can only come to India during his school break.
This year was more challenging for Rigel as he had to go and pre-qualify for
this tournament. The prequalification was held on the Qutub Golf Course in New
Delhi. Rigel had never played in either of these courses earlier and hence he
had to adapt to course quickly as part of his qualification. Considering that he
was playing this course for the first time, his victory is even more
commendable.
Overall, Rigel has had another good year winning several junior golf
tournaments. He was runner up at the HJGT Tour Championship held at
Championsgate, Orlando, Florida from Dec 10-11, 2011. He also qualified and
played in the US Junior Amateur Golf Championship held at Bremerton,WA in July
2011.
The All India Junior Tournament is conducted by the Indian Golf Union is the
premier junior golf tournament in India and is sponsored by Toyota Etios.
Leading scores: Boys (after 63 holes): Category A (15-17 years): 254: Rigel
Fernandes (74, 75, 70, 35); 263: Satwik Jain (76, 75, 72, 40); 264: Honey
Baisoya (74, 73, 78, 39); 266:Manpreet Mann (80, 77, 74, 35); 266: Abhishek
Kuhar (76, 74, 78, 38);266: Saqib Ahmed (80, 76, 70, 40). Category B (13-14):
259: Viraj Madappa (77, 76, 70, 36); 261: Piyush Sangwan (72, 79, 74, 36); 272:
Feroze Singh Garewal (80, 74, 80, 38)