(Top) A match in progress at Infosys golf club in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati. (Above) Alka Taneja (right) of Toyota, Orissa won the CII-Golf award in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 22: The Golf Cup organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), began at the city-based Infosys golf club on Friday. At the two-day event, executives, managers as well as directors from various corporate firms of Orissa, Bengal and Jharkhand took a break from office to hit the golf course.

The event saw more than 60 golfers of the corporate fraternity compete with each other to win the title. Although there were mostly amateur players, each possessed a distinct flair.

The lush green field became the battleground for the participants who belonged to various age groups. The huge participation of women in the championship was the highlight of the event.

“It is amazing to see women golfers play with such ease. Their participation will surely encourage more female golfers in the state to pick up the game,” said Suparna Nanda, state head of CII Orissa chapter.

Almost 10 women golfers brandished their potential at the event.

Corporates groups such as Tata, Visa Steel, Paradeep Phosphates Limited, Toyota and others took part in the event. The players competed in the 18 holes round with a handicap of 19 to 24 categories. Alka Taneja of Toyota from Orissa won the event.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the cup. It was a wonderful experience to interact with so many golfers from within and outside the state. It was indeed a learning experience,” Taneja said.

“Women golfers have picked up the game very well. But I would like to see more women take up the sport,” said Taneja.

A number of awards were also presented in various categories during the event. Many believed the tournament was a much-needed break and a stress buster rather than a competition.

“I usually play golf during weekends when I have time. But you get addicted to the sport. It felt great to see so many passionate golfers from the corporate sector take part in the tournament,” said Amarendra Das, managing director of Surya Udyog. “We should have such tournaments often,” said Rajnish Das of Visa Steel.

The tournament would help in boosting the tourism of the state, said Nanda. “We wished to promote tourism and industry through sport. With the success of this event, more sports events for corporate community can be expected in future,” she said.