Bengaluru’s Tryst with Stars, Fashion, Food, “The King” and a lot of Golf | 10th Sara Futura Karnataka Golf Festival

It was Super Saturday on the 22nd of September, 2018, at the 10th Sara Futura Karnataka Golf Festival, with a series of enjoyable activities and events lined up for patrons and players, on what was the penultimate day three of South India’s largest participative amateur golf tournament. Bengaluru’s signature Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) championship golf course, played able and enthusiastic hosts to the annual event, which celebrated a landmark decade of success this year. The 10th Sara Futura KGF had over 500 golfers participating with over 100 outstation golfers from 16 cities and towns of India. Some from as far as Pathankot and Dehradun among other places.

Star India cricketer Karun Nair, part of India’s recently concluded England Test series squad and only one of two Indians to have scored a Test triple century, set the ball rolling with an earning morning start to his round. Patrons also had the experience of teaming up with the likes of former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar and celebrated sports commentator, Charu Sharma, regular recreational golfers nowadays.

As golfers finished their rounds, Sara Futura group’s popular f&b brand Barbeque Nation then had an elaborate 16-course lunch spread laid out, complete with the juiciest of Kebabs, most delicious of Curries and mouth watering of Desserts.

This was complemented with the serving of the famous Arnold Palmer drink “The King”, for the first time in an Indian Golf Club. The drink was personally launched by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and is a permanent fixture in all famous golf clubs around the world. It turned out to be the show stopper!The”The King” as he was called in golfing circles, passed away last year and the KGA and the Sara Futura Group were wonderful in their gesture of introducing it to patrons, especially as September is also “The King”‘s Birthday Month.

The other highlight of the day was the overwhelming response to the golf clinic conducted by woman professional golfers Neha Tripathi and Anisha Padukone.

 Then there were the goodies to be won and there was something in it for everyone- well almost

First up were the four on course contests

 1) The Germinate Closest to Pin content on Hole # 8 was won by Sayed Suwaid Mohsin after he landed the ball 1 feet 1 inches from the pin. Sayed won a Trophy and a Callaway Rescue Golf Club

2) The Nutrite Straightest Drive on Hole #17 was won by Gautam Sharma and G.S. Thimmaiah whose shots landed just one feet from the straight line. They won Taylormade putters for their efforts.

3) The Ballantine Longest Drive contest on Hole #9 was won by star India cricketer Karen Nair after he drove a monstrous 275 yards from the tee. Karun won a 12-year Ballantine’s bottle of scotch whisky for his wonderful effort.

4) The overall Gross score prize was won by Nilesh Jambura who logged 32 points.

Then there were three lucky draw prizes where members won goodies ranging from 17-year Ballantine bottles to golf putters tofree hill resort couple stays.

These were followed by the winner and runner up prizes across the five handicap categories in action. Each winner took home a trophy, a JCB voucher worth INR 2000 and a gift voucher from lifestyle footwear brand Roush worth INR 3000. But the big win for the round winners of the day was a chance to make it to the World Amateur Golf Championship (WAGC) in Johor, Malaysia, in October. One best score from among the four winners of each of the five handicap categories over four days, would earn the honor to represent their country among teams from 35 countries in Malaysia.

The runner ups on the day were also awarded trophies along with a gift voucher worth INR 2000 from Roush.

Visitors also had the enjoyable experience of checking out top of the line fashion footwear from the Roush Lounge setup for the occasion, complete with a putting zone where patrons putted whole day to earn the right to get into the lucky draw. There were also attractive prices on top quality Skechers Golf shoes at the Skechers stall.

Members and participants were also gifted wonderful golf leather backs, a copy of the premium Golf magazine, Golf Digest and Golf tee-shirts among others as Thank you gifts.

The overall five winners who finally make it to the WAGC in Malaysia is slated to be announced at a glittering Championship Cocktail Dinner, slated for Sunday evening.