Rashid receiving the award from Mr Yogesh Shah of Rolex

Talking on the occasion, Mr Yogesh Shah of Rolex said, "We have been very keen on ensuring that the talent at the grassroots level is tapped and nurtured and in that respect, it is heartening to see so many of these players shaping up so well. Our quest of supporting sporting excellence has been well-documented and we hope these awards will create the aspirational value for all the talented golfers out there to drive them towards success."

In the twelve-month period after he took over the top spot on the merit list on the amateur circuit, Delhi lad Rashid Khan's performance graph took an upward surge as he distanced himself from competition, winning as many as eight tournaments in the season. Seven of those wins have come on the trot to help him establish his credentials as India's best amateur golfer.

The season also saw the Delhi Golf Club player take bigger steps on the international stage as he defended his Faldo Series Asia title in March last year. A string of good showings in other tournaments was capped by a win at the Singapore Open Amateur, where a last-hole 25-foot birdie effort allowed him to pocket his third international title.

While Rashid dominated the Men's Amateur Tour, the competition was much closer in the Junior Tour. At the end of the season, however, it was Kapurthala's Ashbeer Saini who held the top spot on the rankings list. The 16-year-old won five of the ten tournaments he entered in the 2009-10 season. He also established himself as an important component of the India teams at the various team championship events, including the World Junior Golf Team Championship in Malaysia where the Indian team finished on top, alongside Thailand, to make it to the world finals to be held in Japan later this year.

A special award was given to Bangalore's Chikkarangappa for becoming the youngest winner of the National Amateur Championship. At 16 years, 4 months and 20 days, Chikkarangappa achieved this feat in the 109th edition of the LG All-India Amateur that was held at the Oxford Golf & Country Club last month.

Delhi Golf Club's Gurbani Singh, emerged as India's leading junior golfer in the girl's section as she accepted the award for the second year in a row. Not only did the Delhi girl finish the season as the number one junior, she also bagged as many as four titles on the Ladies Amateur Circuit. But it was Vani Kapoor who had the maximum number of points in the Ladies Amateur Tour and she took home the Best Amateur Title in that category.

Mr. Ashit Luthra, the president of the IGU expressed confidence and satisfaction with the progress of the award-winning golfers. "There is no doubt that they are some of the best players on our amateur and junior circuit and we are sure that they will go on to achieve great success in the years ahead. I am sure the Rolex Awards will motivate these youngsters as well as others to scale new heights."