Dilip Thomas – MD, AVT Group (left) presenting the AVT Champions Tour Overall Winner’s trophy to Bangalore’s David D’Souza (right)
The 2025 season of the AVT Champions Tour commenced at the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) in Kolkata on January 20-21, marking the beginning of another competitive year for senior golfers in India. Over 100 participants gathered to showcase their skills on one of the country’s premier golf courses, setting the stage for an intense season ahead.
The winners of the AVT Champions Tour 2025 Kolkata
Founded in 2019 by Dilip Thomas, a former member of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation board, the AVT Champions Tour has grown into a cornerstone event for senior amateur golfers. The tour emphasises competition while fostering camaraderie among seasoned players.
Team competitions deliver tight finishes
The Team Nett category saw a closely contested battle, with the Kolkata team of Ashit Luthra, Laxman Singh, Jaydeep Chitlangia, and Manish Periwal securing victory with a score of 426. They edged out the trio of Sandeep Chaudhury, Nitin Sahjwala, and Neetu Agarwal, who finished just three strokes behind at 429.
The Bangalore contingent claimed the Team Gross title on countback, with David D’Souza, Suhas Kulkarni, Paromita Mukherjee, and Jehangir Tankariwala scoring 465. Their performance narrowly outpaced the efforts of Ganesh Khaitan, Lokesh Malhotra, Ashish Kapoor, and Pushpendra Rathore, who also finished with 465 but lost on countback.
Gaurav Ghosh – Captain, RCGC awarding the 70 & Above Category Winner, Gangesh Khaitan (right)
Individual standouts in Nett and Gross categories
In the Ladies’ Division, Paromita Mukherjee delivered a commanding performance, winning with a score of 158, replicating her win at the Bombay Presidency Golf Course (BPGC) last year. Neetu Agarwal secured the runner-up spot with 169.
Ladies Category winner Paromita Mukherjee teeing it up on the 1st hole of RCGC
The Individual Nett competition saw dominant performances across handicap divisions. Raul Rai emerged victorious in the 0-9 handicap category with a score of 145, while Sandeep Chaudhury clinched the 10-18 handicap category with an outstanding 140.
The Individual Gross competition saw top performances across five age brackets:
- Category A (50-54 years): Suhas Kulkarni (162)
- Category B (55-59 years): Manav Prakash (153)
- Category C (60-64 years): Pushpendra Singh Rathore (154)
- Category D (65-69 years): Pramod Kurian (166)
- Category E (70-74 years): Gangesh Khaitan (161)
David D’Souza claims overall title
Bangalore’s David D’Souza emerged as the AVT Champions Tour Overall winner with a total score of 147, marking his second win of the season. Ashish Kapoor followed closely with a score of 150, securing the runner-up position.
Following three events in the season, Chandigarh’s Sandeep Singh Sandhu leads the AVT Champions Tour Rankings with 71 points, holding a slim one-point lead over two-time winner David D’Souza (70). At a distance, Bangalore’s Jehangir Tankariwala occupies third place with 56 points.
With a strong start to the season at RCGC, the AVT Champions Tour promises more thrilling golf as players vie for top honors in the upcoming legs of the championship.
FINAL RESULTS
Team Categories:
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TEAM NETT |
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|
WINNER |
Ashit Luthra, Lakshman Singh, Jaydeep Chitlangia, Manish Periwal | 426 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Sandeep Bhatotia, Sandeep Chaudhury, Nitin Sahajwani, Neetu Agarwal |
429 |
|
|
TEAM GROSS |
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|
WINNER |
David D’Souza, Suhas Kulkarni, Paromita Mukherjee, Jehangir Tankariwala | 465 (CB better day 2) | |
|
RUNNER-UP |
Gangesh Khaitan, Lokesh Malhotra, Ashish Kapoor, Pushpendra S Rathore |
465 |
|
Ladies Gross Category:
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WINNER |
Paromita Mukherjee | 158 | |
|
RUNNER-UP |
Neetu Agarwal |
169 |
|
Individual Nett Category:
|
H’CAP 0-9 |
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|
WINNER |
Raul Rai | 145 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Sudeep Chitlangia |
146 |
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|
H’CAP 10-18 |
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|
WINNER |
Sandeep Chaudhary | 140 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Gopi Singh |
142 (CB better day 2) |
|
Individual Gross Category:
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50 – 54 (CATEGORY A) |
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|
WINNER |
Suhas Kulkarni | 162 | |
|
RUNNER-UP |
Lokesh Malhotra |
165 |
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|
55 – 59 (CATEGORY B) |
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|
WINNER |
Manav Prakash | 153 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Sanjeev Mehra |
154 |
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|
60 – 64 (CATEGORY C) |
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WINNER |
Pushpendra S Rathore | 154 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Jehangir Tankariwala |
160 |
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65 – 69 (CATEGORY D) |
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WINNER |
Pramod Kurian | 166 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Hemant Kumar Sinha |
168 |
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70 & ABOVE (CATEGORY E) |
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|
WINNER |
Gangesh Khaitan | 161 | |
|
RUNNER-UP |
Ashit Luthra |
166 |
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AVT Champions Tour Overall – RCGC 2025
|
WINNER |
David D’Souza | 147 | |
| RUNNER-UP | Ashish Kapoor |
150 |
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