Written By: Betsy Babu

‘Golfing for a Good Cause’  Delhi Golf Club (DGC), one of the premier sporting institutions in India will be hosting a unique golfing activity to honour all Covid Warriors who have done yeomen service for humanity and our nation throughout this pandemic. The activity named “Saluting India’s Covid Warriors” will be played over both the courses of DGC on the 21^st and 22^nd of August 2020.

Frontline workers are risking their lives and fighting the coronavirus disease day in and day out. It is our duty to honour and respect these bravehearts for their selfless efforts and contributions to the society and its wellbeing.“As a society, we have been very fortunate to have the services of brave frontline warriors who have risked their lives for the service of humanity.

And there are many such warriors within the staff and members of our club. “Saluting India’s Covid Warriors” is just a humble effort and a sporting salute to say Thank You to all these brave warriors across our country. We are grateful” said Maj R S Bedi, President of The Delhi Golf Club while addressing the Media during the Online Zoom Press Meet.

“Our club and frankly all sporting facilities within our country operate today thanks to the efforts of these brave warriors. And sport is important to help people regain/maintain both their physical and mental fitness, especially during these times. We have been able to enjoy the benefits of this wonderful sport thanks to our brave Covid Warriors and when our Chief Executive Cdr Anil Rattan suggested this concept, the management resonated with the sentiment and we decided to promote the activity ourselves” said the Captain of The Delhi Golf Club, Rohit Sabherwal.

“One advantage golf has is that it is a sport which allows social distancing norms to be followed and Saluting India’s Covid Warriors will actually be a simple round of golf played over 18 holes of the main Lodhi Course and participating in the activity will be Covid Warriors from different clubs in Delhi, playing alongside Covid Warriors and other members of DGC” said Maj Gen AP Dere (Retd), Chairman Tournaments at The Delhi Golf Club. “A competitive element has been added and the participants will be competing on an Individual Stableford format where a player gets points for his performance. There will be several prizes for different handicap categories and to encourage both juniors and to acknowledge the seniors, there will be a 9 hole contest played concurrently over the Peacock Course at DGC” he added.

Innovations have been interwoven to honour the Covid Warriors and Digraj Golf Inc has been mandated to manage the activity. Strict social distancing and prescribed safety norms will be followed at all times. Even the prize distribution to be held on 22^nd evening at 5.30 PM will have a gathering within prescribed limits. Ms Meenakshi Lekhi, MP from New Delhi has consented to be the Chief Guest and will give away the prizes during the Prize Distribution.

Funds Generated from the activity and through generous contributions from The Delhi Golf Club members will be presented to “PM CARES Fund”. A cheque of Rs 25,01,001 has already been readied to be handed over to Ms Meenakshi Lekhi during the Prize Distribution.

The event may is a humble effort to show love and gratitude to the warriors who courageously fought and are continuing to fight against the Covid19 pandemic.