The RCGC Cup amateur golf championship, sixth leg of the Indian amateur tour calendar, will tee off here on Tuesday. The four-day championship will be played over par-72, Royal Calcutta Golf Club. The meet is being organised by the Indian Golf Union.

No. 1 in India, S. Chikkarangappa, will lead a strong field of about 90 golfers from all over the country. He will look to win back-to-back titles on the amateur circuit, while Chandigarh’s Abhijit Chadha is set to provide the challenge to the Bangalore-based golfer.

Others who are likely to be in contention for the top honours are Khalin Joshi, Udayan Mane, local lad Raja Sardar, experienced Gagan Verma from Delhi and Vikram Rana.

The first 26 amateur golfers of the country, as per the IGU’s merit list, qualify automatically for this tournament; around 60 players have made the grade through a qualifier held at the Beldih & Golmuri Golf Club, Jamshedpur, last week and four are nominees of the RCGC.

The cut, for the RCGC Cup, will be applied after the first two days of play (36 holes) and the first 45 players will compete for top honours by playing another 36 holes. The tournament will be played in stroke play format

http: www://www.thehindu.com / Sports> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Kolkata, December 13th, 2011