GOLF IN INDIA

Riding on the success of Indian golfers, the game of Golf has made rapid strides across the length and breadth of India. Over the years, Indian pros have consistently raised the bar in international events and the domestic tour is being organized in a professional manner.

The coming of age of Indian golf that started with Ali Sher's memorable Indian Open triumph is continuing unabated with the golfers breaking fresh grounds in distant lands. Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal topping the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Gaurav Ghei's qualification to the British Open and Atwal becoming the first millionaire out of the Asian PGA are but a few of the glorious achievements by Indian golfers.

In addition to the good showing by the players, the Indian Golf Union (IGU) is making earnest efforts to improve the standard of the game in the country. In 1995, in a landmark decision, the IGU agreed to form a separate body called the Professional Golfers' Association of India (PGAI).

The game got another shot in the arm when the PGAI decided to hand over the managing and marketing rights of the Tour to a professional company in 1997, with Delhi-based Tiger Sports Marketing winning the rights in an open bid.

At present, the Indian PGA Golf Tour is titled the 'Amby Valley PGAI Tour' after Sahara India acquired the title sponsorship rights.