Lucknow: The highly anticipated third edition of the Lucknow Golf League is set to tee off with a mega player auction at the Lucknow Golf Club. With twelve teams vying for the prestigious title of Lucknow Golf League 2025 Champions and a lucrative prize pool, the tournament promises thrilling action for golf enthusiasts.
Prize Structure and Tournament Format
The winning team will take home a handsome cash prize of INR 5 Lacs, while the runners-up and second runners-up will be awarded INR 3 Lacs and INR 2 Lacs, respectively. Each team will comprise 14 players, including five retained or nominated players. These teams are divided into two groups of six, competing in a round-robin format. Each team will play all others in their group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the playoffs.
The playoffs will follow an IPL-style format:
- Qualifier: The top-placed teams from each group will compete, with the winner progressing directly to the final.
- Eliminator 1: The second-placed teams from each group will face off, and the winner will move to Eliminator 2.
- Eliminator 2: The winner of Eliminator 1 will play the losing team from the Qualifier, with the victor securing the final spot.
- Final: The two surviving teams will battle for the championship title.
Player Auction Details
At the heart of today’s excitement is the player auction, where teams will complete their rosters. From a pool of 117 players, 108 will be selected after the core team submissions last week. Each team has 600,000 points to spend, with a base price of 20,000 points per player and bid increments of 10,000 points.
The auction process ensures diversity in player composition, adhering to specific handicap and category requirements:
- Core Team (5 Retained/Nominated Players):
- 1 player with a 0-9 handicap
- 1 player with a 10-14 handicap
- 1 player with a 15-18 handicap
- 2 players from Veteran (65+ years), Junior, or Ladies categories
- Auction Picks (7 Players):
- 1 player with a 0-9 handicap
- 2 players with a 10-14 handicap
- 2 players with a 15-18 handicap
- 2 players from Veteran (65+ years), Junior, or Ladies categories
- Final Squad (14 Players):
- 2 players with a 0-9 handicap
- 3 players with a 10-14 handicap
- 3 players with a 15-18 handicap
- 4 players from Veteran, Junior, or Ladies categories
- 2 players from any handicap category
Tournament Highlights
The Lucknow Golf League 2025 will officially commence on February 9, 2025, featuring a unique match-play format that includes a veterans’ 9-hole match and four doubles games. The event is designed to engage the entire Lucknow Golf Club membership, catering to players across all age groups and profiles.
Building a Legacy
Speaking at the event, RS Nanda, Captain of the Lucknow Golf Club, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re delighted with the response from our members. The past two years have been fantastic for the golfing community here. Teams in this year’s league can take pride in being part of a pan-India footprint, mirroring initiatives by prestigious clubs like the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.”
Rajneesh Sethi, Honorary Secretary of the club, highlighted the inclusivity of the league, emphasizing its appeal to the 188 participants who not only watch but actively compete, delivering an experience akin to the Cricket IPL.
The league’s management is spearheaded by Brandon De Souza, a 17-time India golf international and Managing Director of Mélange Management Solutions Pvt. Ltd., renowned for organizing top golf leagues across India and Dubai.
As the auction unfolds, excitement runs high among players, team owners, and fans alike. The Lucknow Golf League 2025 is set to raise the bar, showcasing the city’s growing prominence in India’s golfing landscape while fostering community spirit and sporting excellence. With its innovative structure and engaging format, this year’s league is poised to be a grand success.
