Eagleton - The Golf Village, Bengaluru, 27-10-2015
CASEY, CHIKKA, KHALIN EYE TITLE AT TAKE SOLUTIONS INDIA MASTERS 2015
American Casey O’Toole and Indians Chikkarangappa S and Khalin Joshi will be among the prominent names eyeing the title at the second edition of the TAKE Solutions India Masters, an event co-sanctioned by the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), which will be staged at Eagleton – The Golf Village near Bengaluru, from October 28 - 31, 2015.
The tournament, which saw a significant 71% increase in its prize purse from last year’s US$70,000 to US$120,000 this year, features a field of 155 professionals and one amateur. There are 118 Indian professionals competing at the event.
The prize money earned by players at the TAKE Solutions India Masters will be counted towards both the ADT and PGTI Order of Merits.
Current leader of the ADT order of merit Casey O’Toole who has had eight top ten finishes on the ADT circuit this year and finished tied 36th at this tournament last year, will be looking to clinch his first ADT title on his second visit to India.
O’Toole said, “This course suits my game as driving is my strength. I can hit the driver long and pretty straight and this year I’ve also been putting really well. I can hopefully put it all together and get myself going this week. The rough here is not as bad as last year so scores could be a little lower. The key is to push the pedal and keep going and look for lot of birdies as it’s going to take a lot to win this week.”
Reigning champion Chikkarangappa S will be leading the Indian contingent as he returns to his home course to defend his title. Chikka, a winner of six titles including five on the PGTI, is playing his rookie season on the Asian Tour this year. He recently posted his best finish of the season on the Asian Tour, a tied 10th, at the Yeangder TPC. The 22-year-old is currently sixth in the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings thanks to one win and four other top-10s.
“It was really special to come from six shots behind and win last year. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity of defending a title for the second time in my professional career. I was successful in my first ever title defence in Mumbai last year. It’ll be great to repeat that feat this week. Winning the TAKE Solutions India Masters last year lifted my confidence which in turn helped me earn my card on the Asian Tour. Similarly, a win this year could also serve as a morale-booster ahead of some important Asian Tour events where I will strive to keep my card,” said Chikkarangappa.
Khalin Joshi, another Bangalorean, could also be among the top contenders this week. Khalin has notched up two titles on the PGTI in the last one year and has therefore emerged as a name to reckon with in India. Joshi is currently fifth in the Rolex Rankings as a result of one victory and four other top-10s. He also recorded his best Asian Tour finish, a tied runner-up at the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open earlier this year.
Joshi said, “I fancy my chances this week as I feel my game is shaping up well and my confidence is pretty high at the moment having played well all year round. The key this week is to drive well and play a good short-game. I’ve always struggled on the greens here but this time I got two good days of practice on the greens so hopefully that should benefit me. I’m very close to keeping my card this year on the Asian Tour thanks to my runner-up finish in Bangladesh. A good performance at Eagleton would set me up well for the remaining Asian Tour season as I look to seal my card on the tour.”
Mr. H R Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TAKE Solutions, said, “As a company we have adopted golf as a sport. We have been organizing corporate tournaments for the last 15 years and supporting some of the professional golfers for many years. This is only the beginning as far as our association with a professional golf event is concerned. When you increase the prize money, you get more players and this year it’s increased to US$120,000. We hope to keep increasing it. This event is a very important forum to bring Indian and the overseas golfers under one roof as it sharpens the competition. Unless, corporates support the game, it will not grow in the country. We are certainly going to be big in professional golf and that’s the vision.”
Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI, said, “An increase in prize money always improves the field as it attracts better players. That’s what we’re seeing at the TAKE Solutions India Masters this year. When budding Indian players get to rub shoulders with international players at such events it does a lot of good for their confidence. The depth of talent in India is there for everyone to see with a player such as Udayan Mane already winning two events in his rookie season. With the sustained support of sponsors such as TAKE Solutions, more such players are likely to come through in the coming years.”
The top-five finishers on the final Asian Development Tour Order of Merit will earn playing rights in the 2016 Asian Tour season. The winner of the TAKE Solutions India Masters, like all other ADT events, will receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning OWGR points through the Asian Tour and ADT.
The Pro-Am event of the TAKE Solutions India Masters 2015 was played at Eagleton – The Golf Village on Tuesday. The event was played in the Texas Scramble format where the team’s best ball was chosen on every shot including the putting green. After the best ball was chosen all other players were to place their ball within one score card length before continuing play.
PGTI member Chikkarangappa S led his team to victory with a score of 51.4. Chikka’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. Paritosh Ganapathy, Ms. Sonam Chugh and Mr. Yuvraj Joshi.
PGTI member Mukesh Kumar’s team was second with a score of 52.2. Mukesh’s team comprised of amateurs Mr. H C Kishore Chandra, Mr. R P Sharma and Mr. Rame Gowda.
The ITC My Fortune, Bengaluru, is the hospitality partner for the TAKE Solutions India Masters 2015.
About TAKE Solutions
TAKE Solutions is a leading domain focused technology company offering services/solutions to the global market. The company provides cost-effective and comprehensive solutions for enterprises across diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, high technology, consumer packaged goods, oil/gas, and automotive.
TAKE Solutions encompasses specialized lines of businesses under distinct brands such as Navitas – a pure play Life Sciences company, TAKE Supply Chain & TAKE MEA – flexible, accessible, mobile Supply Chain software solution providers, APA Engineering – an International Sourcing and Engineering services company and TAKE Enterprise Services Inc. – a specialist provider of technology-driven business solutions and software services.
TAKE’s global headquarters is in Chennai, India; its U.S. headquarters is located in Princeton, New Jersey. TAKE has a proven track record as a trusted partner in delivering world-class solutions to more than 400 customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.takesolutions.com.
About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
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
