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India: Golf's destination next
From being a centre for spiritual tourism and medical tourism, India is becoming the next hot destination for golf tourism as well.
New Delhi:
From being a centre for spiritual tourism and medical tourism, India is becoming the next hot destination for golf tourism as well.
That's thanks to a host of big international names, big-time prize money and big sponsors all wending their way here - a bonanza for golf enthusiasts and also inspiration for young aspiring golfers.
Imagine watching Vijay Singh at this best, the Big Easy at his smoothest, Adam Scott at his hunkiest and Ian Poulter at his funkiest.
It will be a reality soon with India hosting some large international tournaments. And a big reason for this sudden interest in India is the growing stature of Indian golfers abroad.
"Players are doing well world wide and the world is seeing golf coming up in India," said Jyoti Randhawa, Winner, Indian Open 2007.
With more International tournaments at home, Indian golfers like Jyoti Randhawa who won his third Indian Open earlier this year have the chance to add to their trophy cabinets in conditions most suited to them.
The season will kickstart with the Rs 1.1 crore Emaar sponsored Indian Ladies Masters in December in Bangalore.
While Indian Golfers performing well internationally is an important factor, but the big investors like Emaar MGF are fuelling the golf revolution in India because they have wider interests in the country. And golf is an extension of those investment plans.
"Companies are having golf tournaments at such large bacause it's a great way to make their brand more visible so more then the players, it's the lure of the Indian market that is getting all these big names to India to do events but that's fine, at the end of the day, the Indian golfer who definitely benefits," said Gaurav Ghei, 9th ranked in Asia.
Emaar-MGF already have a huge stake in the real estate business in India, and they are selling golf as a lifestyle element and so some of their residential properties come with the offer of a golf course in your backyard.
While Companies like Johnnie Walker Classic have already become a part of the golf bandwagon in India, others like Volvo are planning to bring in their events, like the Volvo Masters of Asia when they officially launch their cars in India in 2009.
That's thanks to a host of big international names, big-time prize money and big sponsors all wending their way here - a bonanza for golf enthusiasts and also inspiration for young aspiring golfers.
Imagine watching Vijay Singh at this best, the Big Easy at his smoothest, Adam Scott at his hunkiest and Ian Poulter at his funkiest.
It will be a reality soon with India hosting some large international tournaments. And a big reason for this sudden interest in India is the growing stature of Indian golfers abroad.
"Players are doing well world wide and the world is seeing golf coming up in India," said Jyoti Randhawa, Winner, Indian Open 2007.
With more International tournaments at home, Indian golfers like Jyoti Randhawa who won his third Indian Open earlier this year have the chance to add to their trophy cabinets in conditions most suited to them.
The season will kickstart with the Rs 1.1 crore Emaar sponsored Indian Ladies Masters in December in Bangalore.
While Indian Golfers performing well internationally is an important factor, but the big investors like Emaar MGF are fuelling the golf revolution in India because they have wider interests in the country. And golf is an extension of those investment plans.
"Companies are having golf tournaments at such large bacause it's a great way to make their brand more visible so more then the players, it's the lure of the Indian market that is getting all these big names to India to do events but that's fine, at the end of the day, the Indian golfer who definitely benefits," said Gaurav Ghei, 9th ranked in Asia.
Emaar-MGF already have a huge stake in the real estate business in India, and they are selling golf as a lifestyle element and so some of their residential properties come with the offer of a golf course in your backyard.
While Companies like Johnnie Walker Classic have already become a part of the golf bandwagon in India, others like Volvo are planning to bring in their events, like the Volvo Masters of Asia when they officially launch their cars in India in 2009.
Topics mentioned in this article
Golf
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