7th
Annual "Baisakhi Open" Golf Tournament in Los Angeles
NRI Golf Tournament a Success-
drew nearly 125 players
- truly great 36-hole golf experiences
Los Angeles, June 15, 2009
Swaran Dabgotra/Gary Singh
This year, 7th Annual Baisakhi Open was held at
the prestigious Pacific Palms Hotel & Resort in the City of
Industry, California, USA, on June 12-14, 2009
Pacific Palms is Los Angeles’ only golf
resort with two legendary courses and truly exceptional service.
LA’s only 4-star rated golf experience with 36 holes of
completely refurbished championship golf on the legendary ‘Ike’
and ‘Babe’ courses.50 acre property features 292 beautifully
appointed, oversized guest rooms. Just 25 minutes from downtown
Los Angeles. Recently renovated courses create an unforgettable
experience for low and high handicappers alike.
(Copy rights -Pacific Palm Resort)
Baisakhi Open: Golf Tournament is an annual event
organized in the true Punjabi spirit by Baisakhi Open Inc., a
non-profit organization founded in 2002 by a handful of Punjabi
golf aficionados based in Chicago area. The first Baisakhi Open
was held in Chicago in 2002 with about 50 golfers participating
from US and Canada. This 3-day Tournament has grown rapidly in
the last 6 years. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, participants
fly in from as far as England, New Zealand, Australia, and India.
This growth has come about because the Punjabi spirit welcomes
everyone, Indian or otherwise, to come and experience the camaraderie,
competitiveness, and bonding in a uniquely Punjabi way - having
sport as well as fun while doing anything and everything. Over
the years, the participants have become a community of sorts.
These are fun loving golfers who share a commitment and dedication
to this exciting and addicting sport.
The first day June 12, 2009, the registration
started at 10 AM. At the same time Putting Contest qualifying
was taken place. While the registration was going on the guests
were enjoying delicious India lunch which started at 11 AM. Cold
drinks and hot tea was being served along with fresh fruits and
Indian sweets.
There were about 125 participants and they started occupying the
carts (two on a cart) with their golf bags.
The shotgun start took place at 1:30 PM. It was two men scramble
and the carts starting rolling with a big bang. The press media
especially NRIpress.com, JUS Punjabi TV and photographers started
taking pictures and the players started playing. They played till
the evening and during the play on the golf course couple of carts
was going around back and forth with soft drinks and snacks.
In the evening in on the 2nd floor balcony under the white tent
cocktails and dinner was arranged. Beautiful tables with flower
arrangements and while linens and china ware were ready for dinner
and DJ music was going on. There was an open bar and all kinds
of drinks, vine and soft drinks were available. Indian snacks
were being served by the waiters. At about 9 PM one of the committee
members Micky Punia took the mike and welcomed each and every
one and introduces the local committee members who put their valuable
time and energy to organize this tournament. Also he recognized
all the participants who came from overseas. Then about 10:30
PM the dinner was served and every one enjoyed. As the DJ kept
on playing hit Punjabi songs, bollywood movies songs20as well
as English. Some of the people started dancing and that went on
till midnight.
Next day June 13, 2009 after the breakfast at
11 AM the Final Putting Contest started. At 12 noon the lunch
was served. Then all the contestants occupied their carts and
got ready for the golf course.
The shotgun start (Individual Stroke Play) at 1 PM. Again while
the golf was going on couple of carts kept on going everywhere
on the golf course and served soft drinks and snacks.
In the evening at 8 PM the cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres
were being distributed along with DJ kept on playing the music.
It was a different, very unusual and fun evening. Bye the way
the organizing committee had purchased raffle prizes. All the
committee member came on the stage and Bobby Kang took over the
podium and then tickets were drawn and started giving away the
winning ticket prizes. The prizes included Movado Watch, Compaq
Laptop, IPod, Taylor Made R9 Driver, Taylor Made 2009 Drivers,
Taylor Made Fairways 3-Woods, Taylor Made Fairway 5-Woods, Odyssey
Putters, Putters Taylor Made, Golf Bags and Golf Balls Pro-V 1X.
During this time a bhangra team known as “Khalsa Junction”
performed for about half an hour. It was a great entertainment.
The audience enjoyed and also started dancing with the group.
Then a very delicious dinner was served. The desert was Fluda
Kulfi along with masala Indian Tea. After that it was announced
that anyone who can sing, recite poetry or crack jokes please
come up on the stage and participate. Then one by many artists
performed. Among the singers Ravi …….. ,from Surrey,
BC, Canada, Avtar Singh of Toronto, Canada and Paul Dhaliwal of
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, performed and entertained the best. The
poetry king was Paul Toor and again regarding jokes it was Paul
Toor, Paul Dhaliwal, Nachhatter Bhullar and many more. Over all
it was the best evening for each and every individual. People
were enjoying so much that it lasted till about 2 AM.
The last day Sunday June 14, 2009, in the morning
at 8 AM Desi Pranthas (buttered roties) and India tea was served
as breakfast.
At 9 AM the shotgun starts (Individual Stroke Play) and the contest
started and it needed at about 2:30 PM. The Barbeque lunch was
arranged and every one enjoyed it. At 3 PM the results came, the
announcements started and one by one every winner received the
award. While the awards were being awarded the clapping, yelling
and screaming wouldn't stop. It was a wonderful experience.
We on behalf of NRIpress.com and NRIinternet.com wish
all the participants and organizers continue success and prosperity
on Baisakhi Open Tournaments.
Here is the list of the awardees
and the scores as under:-
Friday 2 ball Scramble.
A Flight,
Resham Sidhu & Avtar Brar - Champions Total 58
Upi Laxmidas & Ken Bhakta Runner Up Total 59
B Flight
David Johl & Jay Toor Champions Total 52
Maninder Hari & Satinder Grewal Runner up Total 55
Shere Punjab Gross Champion Sheri Brar Total 154
Shere Punjab Runner up Mehardin Sidhu Total 156
A Flight GROSS
Gross Champion Sunny Bhullar Total 156
Runner up Jagdeep Dhillon Total 157
B Flight
Gross champion Jaiwadan Manibhai Total 156
Runner up Sahi Ramanjit Total 164
C Flight
Gross Champion David Johl Total 169
Runner up Nachattar Bhullar Total 174
A Flight - Net
Nett Champion Kanwaljit Cheema Total 144
Runner up Bobby Kang Total 147
B Flight - Net
Nett Champion Kulbir Sran Total 134*
Runner up Hitinder Lalli Total 134
C Flight-Net
Net champion Jaspreet Dhillon Total 126
Runner up &n bsp; Rupinder Gill Total 132
Saturday Closest to the pin
Dave Mavi - Hole no 7
Maan Sidhu - Hole no 13
Longest Drive
Upinder Ghumman Hole no 18
Sunday Closest to the pin
H.S. Bhullar - hole no 5
David Johl - hole no 15
LONGEST DRIVE
Jay Toor Hole no 18
HIGHEST GROSS =;- Japtej Gill
SAND BAGGER ;- Sunny Bhullar
BIRDIE MAN - Meherdin
Mr. HACKER - Ripsy Brar
Here is the list of the organizing committee and some
briefing about each individual in LA: Click
