New Delhi, 23-08-2013

Gaganjeet Bhullar honoured with Arjuna Award

Gaganjeet Bhullar, one of India’s leading professional golfers and winner of five international titles, has been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, on Thursday, August 22, 2013. 

Bhullar now becomes the 17^th golfer and the eighth Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) member to be conferred with the Arjuna Award, the nation’s second highest sporting honour.

PGTI members who have won the Arjuna Award in the past include Ali Sher (1991), Amit Luthra (1996), Harmeet Kahlon (1997), Jeev Milkha Singh (1999), Shiv Kapur (2002), Jyoti Randhawa (2004) and Arjun Atwal (2007).

Gaganjeet joins the illustrious list of Arjuna Award recipients as a result of his extraordinary performances at the international stage since turning professional in 2006. The strapping six-footer from Kapurthala, Punjab, who is known for his booming drives, has bagged 14 professional titles in the past seven years. Bhullar, one of only seven Indians to appear in a Major championship, has won four titles on the Asian Tour to emerge as a major force in Asian golf. The 25-year-old also has a title to his credit on the European Challenge Tour.

Bhullar, elated on his inclusion in the Arjuna Awardees list, said, “It is a very proud moment for me and my family. I would like to thank the Government of India for acknowledging the fact that Indian golfers are making the country proud with their performances at the international level. This is a result of the hard work I have put in over the years and the strong support I have received from my family. This award will not only motivate me to achieve greater things but will also encourage many other young golfers in the country to work harder and succeed at the highest level.”

“I’ve been on top of my game over the last one year as I have focused hard and given my hundred per cent. I now aim to win my first event on the European Tour,” added Bhullar, whose ultimate ambition is to play on the PGA Tour in the United States.

Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We at the PGTI extend our heartiest congratulations to Gaganjeet Bhullar for being conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award. Gaganjeet's hard work and dedication over the last few years have been exemplary, and this award is very well deserved and a true recognition of his achievements. Professional Golf Tour of India, a body of the players, by the players and for the players, is happy that our efforts in creating the right opportunities in India for talented professional golfers is helping them excel at the highly competitive International tournaments across the globe. We wish Gaganjeet the very best for the future.”

Gaganjeet comes from a sporting family as his father H S Bhullar had also represented India in Athletics. He picked up the sport from his father at the tender age of four and spent his formative years honing his golfing skills at the Railway Coach Factory Golf Course in his native Kapurthala.

Bhullar, currently placed second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit thanks to a runner-up finish at the Avantha Masters 2013, now leads the way for the next generation of Indian golfers with his exceptional performances at the international level.

Bhullar will receive the Arjuna Award from the President of India in a ceremony to be conducted at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on August 31^st this year.