She joins five other qualifiers from the Bengaluru Regional Qualifiers in the National Finals expected to be held in April

Bangalore, 19^th February, 2012: Saturday saw some of the best amateur golfers from the city compete in the Bengaluru Regional Qualifiers of the 12^th edition of Mercedes-Benz Trophy. With more than 100 golfers teeing off for a spot in the National Final of the Mercedes-Benz Trophy, Eagleton Golf Resort witnessed some great golfing action.

With the crème de la crème of Bangalore teeing off, the Bengaluru Regional Qualifiers of the 12^th edition of the Mercedes-Benz Trophy got off to a great start with competition in three handicap categories – 0-16, 17-22 and 23-24 handicap categories.

In the 0-16 handicap category, President of Karnataka Golf Association, Mr. K. Chandra Prakash, beat Gyan Bhandari to emerge the winner. Scored in accordance with the Double Peoria format, Chandra Prakash finished with a nett score of 71.4, edging out Gyan Bhandari who ended with a nett score of 72.

Competing in the 17-22 handicap category, Vijayendra Bhat emerged victorious with a nett score of 71.2, beating competition from Prakash Nagesh who ended with a nett score of 73. Former athlete Ashwini Nachappa looked set to top the leader board in the 23-24 handicap category, but lost out to J P Arya in a nail-biting contest. J P Arya, with a calculated handicap of 18, had a nett. score of 74 to win in the 23-24 handicap category. The winners and the runners-up in each of the three handicap categories have qualified for the National Finals of the 12th edition of of Mercedes-Benz Trophy.

To make the competition more exciting and enjoyable, Mercedes-Benz Straightest Drive Challenge was held in which Dr. Sanjay Rao emerged the overall winner. Dr. Sanjay will now enter a lucky draw for a chance to travel to the British Open Championship 2012 in the United Kingdom for a unique playing experience, courtesy Mercedes-Benz.

The winners and runners-up from the Bengaluru Regional Qualifiers – K. Chandra Prakash, Gyan Bhandari, Vijayendra Bhat, Prakash Nagesh, J P Arya and Ashwini Nachappa – will be felicitated for their achievements over gala dinner at the Skyye Bar on Sunday. They will now match their skills against golfers from all over the country in the National Finals, expected to be held in April.

Results: (scored using the Double Peoria format)

0 – 16 Handicap Category

Winner: K. Chandra Prakash (Gross – 87, Calculated Handicap – 15.6, Nett -71.4)

Runner-up: GyanBhandari (Gross – 90, Calculated Handicap – 18, Nett -72)

17- 22 Handicap Category

Winner: Vijayendra Bhat (Gross – 94, Calculated Handicap – 22.8, Nett -71.2)

Runner-up: PrakashNagesh (Gross – 85, Calculated Handicap – 12, Nett -73)

23- 24 Handicap Category

Winner: J P Arya (Gross – 92, Calculated Handicap – 18, Nett -74)

Runner-up: Ms. AshwiniNachappa (Gross – 98, Calculated Handicap – 24,  Nett -74)