Colombo, Sri Lanka, 05-02-2014
Standard Chartered Open 2014 tees off from February 6th
The Standard Chartered Open 2014 will once more bring a professional golf event sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) to Sri Lanka. The four-day tournament scheduled from February 6 - 9, 2014 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club will field around 100 professional golfers who will compete for the prize of USD 50,000. Standard Chartered Open 2012 winner Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka and top Indian professionals Rashid Khan, Chiragh Kumar and Shamim Khan will be part of the field.
Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered, Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar, an avid golfer himself, commenting on the Bank’s title sponsorship said: “The Standard Chartered Open is a reiteration of our support to highlighting Sri Lanka as a destination of choice for golfers. Not only will local players have the opportunity to compete against the best of the PGTI tour but also the exposure to international players will help improve techniques and standards. This year too we would be delighted if we do see a local winner as we did in 2012”.
Standard Chartered’s title sponsorship of the Standard Chartered Open 2014 affords local players the opportunity to showcase their talent at an international event. The PGTI has proved a springboard for the development of golf in India and provided opportunities for Indian professionals to compete at higher levels.
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We welcome the return of Standard Chartered Open on the PGTI schedule. We seek to partner with Standard Chartered in building the event into one of the premier tournaments in Sri Lanka in the coming years. The staging of tournaments such as the Standard Chartered Open will play a significant role in promoting professional golf in the South Asian region.”
Chandana Weerasinghe, Managing Director of Pro Golf speaking of the event said: “Standard Chartered open 2014 is a 71 hole stroke play competition with a field of up to 120 professional players and 6 amateur players. It will be an exciting 4 days of golf and already there is much enthusiasm and anticipation of the event. The refurbished greens of the RCGC will provide excellent challenges to the competitors with its par 71 course and beautifully landscaped fairway”. He also added, “The generous support of Standard Chartered for golf in Sri Lanka will definitely take the game to a different level and will help local talent to improve their careers - which is much needed support in Sri Lanka”.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
