Dheeresh Yadav at Dipatoli golf course in Ranchi on Sunday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 16: Teenager Dheeresh Yadav (13) was on cloud nine this evening. She had enough reasons to be excited, though.

Rubbing shoulders with seniors in the women’s category in Green City Golf Tournament, she put up a brave show. Her grit was rewarded with the honour of ending third in the prestigious golf tourney.

Yadav, daughter of an army man, took to the game with her siblings and is coached by her father, Lt Col. Satpal. Posted in Gaya, the army officer said that his three children, including his daughter, had a penchant for the game and were doing quite well.

Dheeresh, on her part, said that this was her first tryst with senior players on a golf course and she had earlier played with children of her age.

“But my playmates made me feel very comfortable on the course and even guided me with some of my shots. This is a new course to me and I have never played here before, nor I had an opportunity to practice before the game. Despite the odds against me, the game was interesting and I am sure I will strike better in the next tournament in the city,” the teenager said.

The two-day golf tournament that concluded today saw a lot of local and outstation golfers playing in the Cockerel Golf Course at Dipatoli. As many as 225 golfers participated in the event. Though the golf course is under the army cantonment, several civilian golfers are members of the golf club and enjoy the greens within the army campus.

Former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Arjun Munda also made his debut in competitive golf in the tournament. Having played the game for merely a couple of months, Munda has improved a lot and put up a good show.

Though his score was not very impressive compared to regular golfers, his game is improving and he has developed a passion for the game, which will improve him further, said golfer S. Mehra.

A humble Munda said that he had fared quite well despite being a new entrant in the golf course. The politician-turned-golfer told The Telegraph: “The game gives a lot of mental peace and satisfaction. The luscious green fields and the clean air give a different high altogether. I am learning the game and practising hard to improve it. I participated in the tournament for my love for the game and I was least bothered about winning or losing. People play to relax, which is more important than winning the tournament.”

While Jamshedpur Club member S. Mansoor Ali lifted the Som Datt Cup as the winner of the tournament, Brigadier A.S. Chaudhary lifted the runners-up trophy. Ranchi Club was declared victorious in the inter-club category defeating its nearest contender the Cockerel Golf Club of the army.

A lot of individual prizes for the longest drive and nearest to pin shot and best local and outstation golfers were also presented in the tourney.

A cultural programme was organised to entertain the golfers. The newly made golf hut by the army, The Perch, was also inaugurated today by Maj. Gen. A.K. Singh.