With golf's popularity reaching a new high in the country, there is understandable excitement in Indian golfing circles ahead of the Usha All India Ladies Amateur Championship. The tournament is the pipeline for ladies golfing talent in the country, and this year's championship - the landmark 100th will once again bring together the top players to vie for the country's biggest accolade in women's amateur golf, against severe international competition from South Africa, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland.
The 2015 champion, Gaurika Bishnoi has turned professional, just like Aditi Ashok, the 2012 and 2014 champion. This year's top contenders will include the reigning No. 1 in the merit list, Diksha Dagar and Tvesa Malik. Others top stars in the merit list include Sifat Sagoo, Amrita Anand, Seher Atwal, Anika Varma and Ridhima Dilawari.
Aditi Ashok first won the Usha All India Ladies Amateur in 2012 and 2014 at age 13 and 15. She turned professional in 2016. Aditi's success in participating in the Rio Olympics and then winning two Ladies European events, back to back has spurred many ladies to use the platform of the Usha All India Ladies Amateur to further their career, whether amateur or professional.
Satish Aparajit, President, Indian Golf Union, said, "We are elated that the Usha All India Ladies Amateur has reached its 100th staging. This is a huge landmark for Indian Ladies golf and the recent performances of India's leading ladies have shown that the steps taken by Indian Golf Union are bearing fruit. Sending teams abroad for competitions, having camps for juniors and appointing good coaches have all together paid off and the success of Aditi Ashok is a prime example of our programs paying off. We hope many more such champions will emerge from the upcoming Usha All India Ladies Amateurs Championship."
The Delhi Golf Club is all set and looking its best before the harsh winter encroaches. The club members have also been very accommodating as the event is a major one in the domestic calendar.
Siddharth Shriram, President of the Delhi Golf Club and also a well-known patron and writer on the sport, said, "It was heart-warming to see Aditi Ashok break through into the top ranks of players in the world and win two successive events on the Ladies European Tour which she followed up by receiving a partial exemption into the rich USLPGA. I still remember the 12 year old playing for the Indian team at the Usha Queen Sirikit Cup at the Delhi Golf Club. That small diminutive girl has grown into a big champion and I am sure this upcoming Usha All India Ladies Amateurs will throw up more such talent. We wish the participants all the best.The DGC is all set to receive these ladies just before the harsh winter sets in, and we expect a week of very exciting golf".
Krishna Shriram, Executive Chairman, Usha International Limited, said, "Usha as sponsors of Ladies Amateur Golf are happy that a number of the leading ladies have turned to professional golf, including Aditi Ashok, the Olympian. They have emerged from the Junior Training Programmes from across the country, including the one sponsored by USHA at the Delhi Golf Club, and all of them have played in USHA sponsored Ladies Golf events. Golf is a sport that is healthful, cheerful and can be played by all; these are also the values that USHA seeks to offer through all of its product offerings".
The Usha All India Ladies Amateur Championships is due to be held from December 12th to 18th with the 36-hole stroke play qualifier that paves the way for 32 of the best to go through the preceding All India Match play.
