 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 3: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), in association with J&K Tourism, announced the third edition of the J&K Open presented by J&K Tourism, scheduled to take place at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course from October 4 to 7, 2023. The tournament's total prize purse has been increased to Rs. 50 lakh this year, with the Pro-Am event following on October 8.
The J&K Open is part of J&K Tourism's initiative to promote golf tourism in the region. Jammu and Kashmir boasts some spectacular golf courses, including Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Royal Springs Golf Course (Srinagar), Pahalgam Golf Course (Lidder Valley), and Gulmarg Golf Club.
The field of 114 players, comprising 109 professionals and five amateurs, will include top Indian professionals such as Om Prakash Chouhan, Aman Raj, Akshay Sharma, Sachin Baisoya, Harshjeet Singh Sethie, Gaurav Pratap Singh, Karan Pratap Singh, and Kshitij Naveed Kaul. The international contingent will feature players like Bangladesh's Badal Hossain, Nepal's Sukra Bahadur Rai, and Canada's Sukhraj Singh Gill.
Local talent from J&K will also be showcased, with professionals Bhawani Singh Parmar, Pawan Parihar, Fayaz Ahmed Langoo, Raghav Wahi, and Mir Ahmad participating, along with amateurs Prabhnoor Singh, Umar Yaqoob Mir, Vedant Handa, Arindam Sudan, and Zorawar Singh.
Amarjeet Singh, Special Secretary to the Government of J&K Tourism Department, expressed his excitement about the tournament's potential to promote the region as a golf tourism destination. He emphasized that showcasing J&K's golfing venues to a wider audience is a key opportunity provided by the partnership with PGTI and the J&K Open.
Manav Gupta, Secretary of Jammu Tawi Golf Course, stated that hosting leading Indian professional golfers at the course for the second year in a row is a point of pride. The course has been prepared to provide the best playing conditions, and the J&K Open offers local golfing talent the invaluable experience of competing with the country's top professionals.
Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of Tourism, highlighted the importance of golf tourism in India and praised the J&K Open as a defining tournament for promoting golf tourism. He mentioned that the event offers players a chance to experience Dogri culture, art, and cuisine.
Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of PGTI, commended the support of J&K Tourism and Jammu Tawi Golf Course for the tournament's success. He anticipates a thrilling week of golf set against the backdrop of Jammu & Kashmir's mesmerizing scenery.
Om Prakash Chouhan, TATA Steel PGTI Rankings Leader, shared his gratitude for J&K Tourism's ongoing support and expressed his eagerness for the tournament, highlighting the beautiful course and the fond memories of his past victories in the region.
The Jammu Tawi Golf Course is an 18-hole course designed by renowned designer Col. K.D Bagga. Commissioned in 2011, the course features fairways approximately 6600 meters in length, two large and three small water bodies, and a 3200-meter-long water channel.
The construction of the Jammu Tawi Golf Course was undertaken by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir with the goal of promoting golf tourism and nurturing young talent to become golf professionals. |
