New Delhi, 09-10-2020

TATA Steel PGTI to resume events from 4th November 2020; Five events to be played this year; PGTI season to be extended to 2021

PGTI formulates strict regulations and guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy environment during tournaments

The TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is set to resume events from November 4, 2020, after a forced break of over seven months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown.

Five events are scheduled to be played in 2020 and the current season has been extended to 2021. PGTI will not stage the Qualifying School event for 2021. The criteria for eligibility of players to play events in 2020 will also be extended to 2021.

The PGTI has formulated strict regulations and guidelines in order to take all precautions against Covid-19 and ensure a safe and healthy environment during tournaments.

The season resumes with the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2020 presented by Panchkula Golf Club which will be played at the Panchkula and Chandigarh Golf Clubs from November 4 – 7. The prize purse for the event is Rs. 30 lakh. The format for the event is as follows: One half of the field will play their first round at Panchkula while the other half will play their first round at Chandigarh. In round two both the halves of the field will switch venues. The third and fourth rounds will only be played at Panchkula.

The following week is the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2020 presented by Chandigarh Golf Club which will be played at the Chandigarh and Panchkula Golf Clubs from November 9 – 12. The prize purse for the event is Rs. 30 lakh. The format for the event will be the same as mentioned for the previous event except the third and fourth rounds will only be played at Chandigarh during this week.

The month of December will witness the return of three prestigious PGTI events. The third edition of the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational presented by TAKE will be held at the Chandigarh Golf Club from December 3 – 6. The event boasts a prize purse of Rs. 1.5 crore.

The 21st edition of the IndianOil Servo Masters Golf will be staged at the Digboi Golf Links in Digboi from December 9 – 12. The tournament carries a prize money of Rs. 60 lakh.

The Rs. 1.5 crore worth TATA Steel Tour Championship will be held at the Golmuri Golf Club in Jamshedpur from December 17 – 20.

While announcing the schedule, Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “Considering the last six months have indeed been the longest and the darkest to us all and to the world as a whole, now with the allowance to conduct tournaments within the Unlock Guidelines, we are pleased to announce these five tournaments in November and December 2020 for the season 2020-2021. We thank PGTI members and the host venues of the forthcoming events for their support and cooperation.”

Here are some (of the many) regulations and guidelines formulated by the PGTI for the smooth functioning of events during the pandemic:

• Players MUST get their COVID-19 Test done 72 hours prior to their arriving at the tournament venue for their Practice Round. Only those with a Negative Test Report will be allowed and Players must bring with them the Test Report in person without which the Player cannot enter the Tournament/Venue.

• Installing of the Aarogya-Setu App is being recommended for players and they are also expected to regularly update their health status on it.

• Social Distancing (minimum of 6-foot distance from others) must be practiced at all times when at the tournament venue.

• Masks mandatory in all areas except while playing on course and dining. This in accordance with the host club, state and MHA guidelines.

• Gatherings are strictly prohibited – players will be asked to leave the tournament venue as soon as their round has been completed. No practice will be allowed after the Round.

• If a player is showing any signs of illness he will be asked to stay home and must follow the health protocols as recommended by the health authorities.

• No Player other than those as mentioned in the Tournament Entry List/Draw (Practice Round, Rounds 1 & 2) & also only those making the CUT (Rounds 3 & 4) will be allowed entry at the Tournament Venue.

• Players can opt to carry/push their own bag. Players doing so must abide by the Rules & Regulations of the Host Club.

• Starter(s) will wear Mask, Face Shield and Gloves.

• Only a scorecard and hole location/local rules sheet will be distributed on the tee. They will be stapled together and given from the starter to the marker. There will be no exchange of paper between participants.

• Food and Beverage offerings will be decided by each host facility.