Asia-Pacific vs Euro golf meet cancelled

The Michael Bonallack Trophy, an amateur tournament that pits an Asia-Pacific team against an European team, was scheduled to be held at Karnataka Golf Association from April 21-23 but has been cancelled after a majority of European players failed to make it to India.

“Only four of the twelve European Team members have reached Bangalore to join the full contingent of all twelve Asia Pacific Team members. The Championship Committee had been speaking to the players daily but as there are no flights scheduled even today or tomorrow.
There was no choice,” said a release from the organisers.

However, the 16 amateurs will play a series of exhibition matches on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday the four Europeans will play foursomes against four Asia Pacific players in the morning and the remaining eight Asia-Pacific players will clash against each other in fourball competition in the afternoon. Thursday will see eight singles competition.

The European players who will be seen in action are Knut Borsheim of Norway, James Byrne of Scotland, Jesper Kennegard of Sweden and Carlos Pigem of Spain. Rashid Khan will be the lone Indian in the fray.

The organisers also refused to comment on whether India will stage the tournament at a later date this year. “Because of the busy tournament schedules of the team players, a fresh date for the tournament has not been announced. The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation and European Golf Association will make an announcement in the weeks ahead,” added the release.