Srinagar, 14-09-2021

J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism heralds return of PGTI & men’s professional golf to the Kashmir valley

Field to feature Olympian Udayan Mane, Jyoti Randhawa, PGTI Order of Merit leader Karandeep Kochhar, Chikkarangappa S, Rashid Khan, Khalin Joshi, Viraj Madappa, Kshitij Naveed Kaul; Prize Purse of Rs. 40 lakh

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, along with J&K Tourism, today announced the J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism which will be held at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar, from September 15 - 18, 2021, and will carry a prize purse of Rs. 40 lakh. The Pro-Am event will be held on September 19.

The tournament which will witness participation by 125 golfers (118 professionals and seven amateurs) is supported by Presenting Partner J&K Tourism, Principal Partner J&K Golf Development & Management Authority, Host Venue Royal Springs Golf Course and Associate Partner Incredible India. The Associate Partners from Srinagar are Radisson Hotel, Wizkid and Skyview by Empyrean.

The tournament is part of J&K Tourism’s great initiative of promoting golf tourism in the region. J&K is blessed with some spectacular golf courses such as Royal Springs Golf Course (Srinagar), Pahalgam Golf Course (Lidder Valley), Gulmarg Golf Club and Jammu Tawi Golf Course. These courses provide a mesmerizing experience to golfers.

The top Indian professionals in the fray include Olympian Udayan Mane, Indian star Jyoti Randhawa, PGTI Order of Merit leader Karandeep Kochhar, as well as international winners such as Rashid Khan, Khalin Joshi, Viraj Madappa and Chikkarangappa S (former winner at Royal Springs Golf Course) as well as other leading Indian players such as Aman Raj, Kshitij Naveed Kaul and Manu Gandas, to name a few. The foreign challenge will be led by the Bangladeshi duo of Md Zamal Hossain Mollah and Badal Hossain.

The local challenge will be led by J&K-based players including professionals such as Pawan Parihar, Fayaz Ahmed Langoo and Raghav Wahi as well as amateurs such as Sanjeev Dugra, Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Hasan Zargar, Arsalan Rah, Adnan Rah and Umar Yaqoob Mir.

Shri Sarmad Hafeez, IAS, Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, said, We’re proud to be supporting the J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism as Golf Tourism is an integral part of our larger objective to promote tourism in J&K. The return of men’s professional golf to the Kashmir valley gives us a great opportunity to showcase J&K as an attractive golfing destination. We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with the PGTI.”

Dr. G N Itoo, KAS, Director, J&K Tourism, said, “J&K has a wide variety of magnificent golf courses which provide the ultimate golfing experience to tourists. With the staging of events such as the J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism we look forward to transforming J&K into a major hub for Golf Tourism and into the Golfing Capital of the country.”

Mr. Bakshi Javid Hamayun, Director – SKICC / Secretary – RSGC, said, “Golfing in Paradise could never be better. J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism paves way for excellence in golfing for the state.”

Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “The staging of the J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism is another positive trend for the PGTI since the resumption of the tour in the first week of September. The tournament is in line with our long-term objective of promoting professional golf in different parts of the country in order to grow the sport further. We appreciate the support of J&K Tourism, J&K Golf Development & Management Authority and the Royal Springs Golf Course in helping us stage this event. We’re confident the professional golfers will have a delightful experience while competing in the divine setting of the Royal Springs Golf Course.”   

Jammu and Kashmir is home to some of the top tourist destinations in the country. Kashmir, a valley where streams, lakes, flowers and fruits abound, is a place bestowed with the beauty of four seasons. The Valley presents a different view each season: The spectral spring, the sprawling sum­mer, the crisp winters and the rustling autumn. Jammu, bestowed  with enthralling scenic beauty amidst the proud mountain ranges exhibits all the qualities that make it a sought after tourist destination.

The Royal Springs Golf Course is ranked among the most beautiful courses in Asia. The course designed by Robert Trent Jones II has taken full advantage of the undulating foot spurs of the Zabarwan Mountains that descend onto the shores of the famed Dal Lake. The 6445 metres course at a par of 72, offers a challenge to all levels of players. The course designer has crafted out of the natural setting a combination of aesthetic delight and golfing pleasure.

Press Conference picture caption:

Left to Right: Professional golfer Kshitij Naveed Kaul, Shri Sarmad Hafeez, IAS, Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Sampath Chari, Tournament Director, PGTI, professional golfer Chikkarangappa S & Mr. Bakshi Javid Hamayun, Director - SKICC & Secretary - Royal Springs Golf Course, pose with the trophy of the J&K Open 2021 Presented by J&K Tourism golf tournament at the Press Conference in Srinagar on Tuesday.