The sixth leg of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) East Zone Amateur Feeder Tour 2023 concluded at Tollygunge Club with 25 amateurs competing and putting up the best scores so far this season. The Amateur Feeder Tour took place on May 24 and 25 and the WAGR event took place between May 24 and 26.
The amateur golf event was named after late golfer, Siddhartha Bansal, who was also a participant on this tour for the last six years before passing away tragically due to cancer. The tournament was named the Siddhartha Bansal Memorial Amateur Open 2023 in his memory.
The late Siddhartha Bansal, after whom the tournament is named
This tournament was also a WAGR event for amateurs looking to earn WAGR points. The amateurs had to play three rounds of golf to qualify. On January 23, 2007, The R&A, the governing body of golf outside of the US and Mexico, introduced the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) for men.
Raghav Gulati (left) and Joysurjo Dey
Raghav Gulati, a Dubai-based teenager studying at Gems Modern Academy, won the Amateur title with a score of 134 in two rounds of golf, which was six-under-par. Joysurjo Dey of Kolkata finished second in the Amateur category with a score of 142. Sumit Kakkar of Ranchi won the Mid-Amateur division with a score of 162, followed by G. Suresh Sharma of Imphal with a score of 186. Gaurav Ghosh took first place in the Senior division with a score of 151, while Tarun Bali took second place with a score of 157. With a score of 168, Ashit Luthra won the Super Senior category.
Gaurav Ghosh in action
Raghav Gulati also won the WAGR tournament with a score of 204, while Joysurjo Dey came in second with a score of 209. The WAGR was played over three rounds, totaling 54 holes over three days.
The entire Bansal family was present during the prize distribution ceremony, which was dedicated to Siddhartha Bansal. His parents and sister, as well as his friend and one of India's all-time top professional golfers, S.S.P. Chawrasia, gave out the prizes.
The Tour's title sponsor was Keventer, education partner was The Champ for Life Academy, outdoor media partner was Balaji Ads, and online proshop partner was Golfedge. The event was managed by Protouch Sports.
