The quarter final line-up this past week end signals the start of the business end of the Ballantine’s Golf Retreat Royal Premier Golf league, powered by The Telegraph. After the various keenly contested league matches, peppered with multiple surprises and last-hole victories, the best eight made the Championship line-up and included defending champions Cleantek United with PB Aces, Hillibillies and White Walkers showing ominous form.

Team Hillibillies

They have all successfully made the semi-final line-up with contrasting victories as Cleantek easily beat Bazaar Kolkata, PB Aces the Jutify Jets while it was a touch closer in the Hillibillies vs Devils contest as was the Exide White Walkers-Flying Tigers game.

Defending champs Cleantek United will be hard to beat

Come March 6, our champion team will be crowned and most visible has been the good spirit in which this edition has been played. The changed format has meant that a lot of strategising is necessary in the pairings that has come to the forefront and while teams have talked about three strong pairings, a possible tank pair, what they have all realised is the value of the second ball counting and that every point counts.

Don’t let the swing fool you. Dharmesh Vora of White Walkers has won all his eight games to be the most successful in RPGL ’21-’22.

The final leader board speaks volumes as a minimum of five matches won in the league only ensured that you are guaranteed a spot with four matches losing out in a countback. Super close but the perfect recipe for such a fantastic event.

Akash Sachdev learning from the Exide White Walkers strategists Karan Singh and Vidyut Saraf.

While the top eight battled for the honours, the next eight had much to play for and the challenger will also go down to the wire with a good return to form been shown by the Patriots, D Company, Merino Royals and IIFL Juniors who have made the semi-finals.

Abhishek Sarda and Akshay Butta — showing good, consistent form

The club introduced a wonderful value addition when under lights we had the Long Drive event and as every golfer knows this is for “the true bragging rights” that was up for grabs. Viraj Khanna came on top with a drive of 321 yards, with Rakshik Basu claiming the second spot.

Flying Tigers unlucky this year but a great outfit

Big week ahead and may the best team win!

Pictures: Rashbehari Das

Ramanjeet would love an encore in the semi-finals

Ladies Day @RPGL

Brandon de Souza, keeping it on track