Shorya Subhalaxmi, a participant at the 39th Patna Open Golf Tournament, plays a shot at Patna Golf Club on Friday. Around 200 participants from the city and other states like Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh are taking part in the competition that will continue till Saturday. Twelve-year-old Subhalaxmi said: “I have been playing the game for the past two years and have taken part in more than 25 tournaments. I love the game and I am very happy to be here.” Manik Vedsen, secretary, Patna Golf Club, said: “It is amazing to see that a large number of golf players have taken part in the tournament. This proves that golf is gaining popularity. Quite a few children and women took part in the tournament.” Arvind Singh, the captain of the Patna Golf Club team, said: “Our club will complete 100 years in 2016. We aim to make it one of the best golf courses in the country.” Text by Aarohi Keshav, picture by Jai Prakash