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Golf in India has come of age and looks to make it bigger than ever before. TWF correspondent B Arindham talks to the experts about its growth pattern and the hope that lights up the golfing horizon
Manicured fairways, sylvan greens, a woodpecker peeping in wonder in company of a band of squirrels lining a branch in anticipation and a winnowing wind sweeping away a white ball to the 18 th hole---an eagle. A doff of the cap and a clinched fist—a homespun Indian has won an European PGA Tour.
The story sounds surreal and surreal it is. But it may not be long before the dream comes true.
A couple of Asian Tour titles by seasoned campaigners may not count for much, but Indian golf is clearly on the upswing as 2008 sets in with mega co-sanctioned events lined up in the country.
Jeev Milkha Singh showed the way in 2006 winning four titles- Volvo Masters of China and Volvo Masters of Europe and a couple of Japan Tour trophies. In 2007 Jyoti Randhawa became only the second player, after Australian legend Peter Thomson, to lift three Indian Open titles to continue his love affair with the Delhi Golf Club. Gaurav Ghei made his presence counted in Beijing in a remarkable comeback.
Golf is looking bigger by the day. Sayeed Sanadi, Country Head, Tiger Sports Marketing, the pioneering Golf promotion company in India, espoused the same feelings. "The Indian PGA now run by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has done a commendable job last season with the prize money touching the Rs 4.5 crore mark. Ever since 1997, the prize money has been increasing and hopefully we should have one of the best Tours in Asia," Sanadi said.
"The efforts of IGU in promoting and developing the game received a big boost with LG signing up as the umbrella sponsor. This is only the third year after IGU has sought corporate support. With this sponsorship, the tournaments are now being held in a systematic way with more and more facilities being provided to the amateurs. This has also helped IGU in sending the Indian team to more number of international tournaments," he said talking about the way Golf is expanding its reach.
If not bursting at the seams, India does have a talented pool of youngsters. There are some bright prospects in juniors like Rahul Bakshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Amanjot Singh, Rashid Khan and Chikkarangappa who can pick up the mantle in near future as they are the top notch golfers already in the juniors in Asia.
Indian Golf Union Vice-President Gaurav Ghosh is also hopeful of Golf making it big in this country. "Indeed Golf is going to be the biggest sport in the country soon."
"The introduction of the European Tour on the Asian circuit has been the biggest thing. All apprehensions have been put to rest. There was a little misunderstanding with the Asian PGA. Now everything has been amicably resolved. It could help the Indians participate in the mega events and compete against big names and improve upon their skills," he said.
But the fact remains that Golf is yet to be a spectator sport. So the popularity graph is still questionable, despite its growing awareness. Ghosh said, "It is becoming popular and with time it will surely hog the limelight. However, I feel that we lack public golf courses where everyone could play the game."
Indrajit Bhalotia, top golfer, former national champion and coach, echoed Ghosh's feelings. "I think Golf is poised to go ahead but the only thing that comes in the way is public golf courses. There is only one in India is in Lado Sarai. We have the talent, it's not as expensive as people think it is, we have the sponsors and the economy is doing well. There are dozens of world class golf courses in India but only one public course."
"Golf can only get better in this country. We play for more prize money in the domestic than any other sport. It is about Rs 6 crores, Indians are doing well in Asia and world scene. Even though Daniel Chopra is of Swedish nationality, he can't deny he learned and lived his life in Delhi. Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri and Ranjit Singh are the young pros to watch," an upbeat Bhalotia added, hopeful of the nation taking up G K Chesterton's 'expensive marble game'.
Sanadi is eager to break the myth of Golf still being a part of club sport. "This was a myth about five years ago. Today if you see, the top players - be it professional or amateur – they come from the middle class or financially weaker sections. The equipment is easily available at affordable prices too," he said.
For example, if you buy a Sunny Tonny cricket bat it is nothing less than Rs 8000. But you can get a decent golf set (13 clubs + bag) for as low as Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000. More and more golf clubs are opening to the public. The green fee at the Qutub Golf Course in Delhi is a paltry Rs 220 and you don't need to be a member. If you want to start, you can do so for as little as Rs 40 at the driving range," he rattled.
Is there hope of India starting a big time Golf tournament in near future? "We have already hosted the first ever Ladies European Tour in Bangalore in December. There are two European Tour Events - the Emaar MGF Indian Masters and Johhny Walker Classic - lined-up in February, each worth US $ 2.5 million. This is in addition to the National Open. What could be imagined sometime in 2010 is happening two years early!" Sanadi said.
Another announcement with huge positive implications for the growth of golf in Asia- Pacific and especially India was the agreement signed by Japan Golf Tour and Australian PGA Tours to set up a regional super tour named the AsiaOne Tour.
The Japan Tour is already the most lucrative tour east of Europe with some 35 tournaments with over $ 1 million in prize money on offer each week. The Aussies on the other hand are the richest in talent with eight players ranked in the top 50 in the world, led by young Adam Scott, currently ranked No 7.
Talks are on currently at a crucial stage with China, Korea and other markets to support the idea. India is already supporting the plan which would give our globetrotting stars Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal and Shiv Kapur, more opportunities to play for big money against top players closer to home. So it may not be long when India nestles the golfing home of Asia.
The stage looks set for a great green revolution taking pace as the nation looks to tee-off for a glory bound in 18 holes. A perfect swing you would call! |
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