Hyderabad, 24-02-2015
HYDERABAD GOLF ASSOCIATION AND PGTI ANNOUNCE GOLCONDA MASTERS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Prize Purse of Rs. 40 lakh; Field to feature Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chikkarangappa, Shankar Das
The Hyderabad Golf Association and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, today announced the inaugural Golconda Masters Golf Championship which will be held at the newly transformed Hyderabad Golf Course from February 26 to March 1, 2015, and will carry a prize purse of Rs. 40 lakh. The cream of Indian professional golf will tee it up at the HGA course as Pearl City, Hyderabad, prepares to host its first ever professional golf championship. In addition to the rich heritage surrounding the golf course, the well maintained fairways & greens will be a delight for the players.
The tournament was inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister of Telangana Mr. K Chandrashekar Rao, on Tuesday.
The tournament will bring together 120 top professional golfers from India & neighboring countries. The leading Indian professionals include Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chikkarangappa, Shankar Das, Chiragh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Om Prakash Chouhan, Shamim Khan, Angad Cheema and Abhijit Singh Chadha, to name a few. The foreign challenge will be led by the Sri Lankan trio of N Thangaraja, Anura Rohana, K Prabagaran and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah. This is a 72-hole stroke-play tournament where the cut will be applied after the first 36 holes. The top 50 players and tied will make the halfway cut and continue to play for another 36 holes. The Pro-Am event will be played on February 25.
The event marks the first time a premier professional golf tournament will be played at the HGA course which has recently undergone a dramatic transformation. Guided by visionary conservationists and members, Hyderabad Golf Course now offers 18 challenging holes that bring players up close with the heritage and beauty of the Deccan hinterland - Golconda Fort and Naya Quila in particular.
“We are proud indeed to host this prestigious tournament at Hyderabad Golf Club, a course that’s as challenging as it is beautiful. It’s only fitting that the world’s top golfers will match their skills while soaking in some of the most spectacular historical beauty Telangana has to offer,” said Mr. N Ramesh Reddy, President, HGA.
Promoted by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation and the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA), the 110-acre expanse provides an 18-hole, 6200 yard, par-71 layout that also features a floodlit driving range, a pro shop, a golf fitting shop, and training & practice facilities. A modern clubhouse with dining hall, lounge, open deck, change rooms, and trained staff is also in place. The mission of the project is to set up an international standard golf course, a golf training academy and to put Hyderabad on the International Golfing map. The ‘Best Tourism Friendly Golf Course’ award bestowed on it by National Tourism, reiterates the pleasant experience that HGA provides.
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We are excited about making our debut in the state of Telangana. The Golconda Masters provides us a platform to promote the Hyderabad Golf Course as a popular golfing destination in the country. Our partnership with the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation and the HGA will help boost golf tourism in the state in the coming years. We are confident that India’s top professionals will relish the experience of playing at this unique venue set in the midst of the historic Golconda Fort complex.”
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
