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Taking golf to the next level

Game all
Last Updated 15 February 2012, 15:28 IST

Politicians, bureaucrats and other public figures tried their hand at golf at the event.

After cricket, the sport that is gaining momentum in Delhi is golf. A one-day event titled ‘Sudhir Classic 2012’ was recently organised at the Qutab Golf Course in Lado Sarai.

A number of public figures, legal luminaries, corporate captains and senior bureaucrats tried their golfing skills on the occasion, to celebrate Delhi as a golfing destination. Also present at the event was Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. He said, “Delhi is absolutely the new golfing destination and we need to promote it in a very big way.”

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, teed-off the event with his golfing skills. Other noted personalities present on the occasion were former sports minister MS Gill and cricketers Nikhil Chopra and Murali Kartik. Passionate golfer Sudhir Seth said, “We have been associated with other golfing tournaments but this is the first time that we have taken an independent initiative and we’re elated to know that 300 people wanted to play the game. Due to limited availability of space, we have not been able to provide everyone with the opportunity to try their hand  at a game of golf but after seeing such an overwhelming response, we are now planning to make it bigger next year.”

An enthusiast at the event, D P Singh said, “It is not a tournament but a festival, where rules are followed with fun. It is with these one-day tournaments that Delhi is learning to become a golfing destination.”

On being asked about the potential of Delhi becoming a golfing destination, former Asian Games gold medalist, Rishi Narain said, “Delhi has one of the best golf courses in India and the tournaments held here are broadcast live worldwide. Therefore, Delhi is emerging on the golf map of the world. 

The three big upcoming events ‘Avantha Masters’, ‘SAIL Open’ and ‘Panasonic Open’ are all happening at Delhi and NCR within a span of the next 45 days. I feel it is time that the true potential of Delhi as a golf destination is harnessed.” When asked about the shortcomings that golf-lovers face, Rishi added, “It is a myth that it is an expensive game. What golfers need is more land, which is not available and this is holding the golfers back.”

The picturesque Qutab Golf Course also witnessed bureaucrats and diplomats who are active on the golfing circuit.

Some of the lady pro-golfers, including Meghna Bal and Preetinder Kaur, also participated in the event.

Trying his hands at the game for the first time, a businessman, Pawan Taneja said, “This is my first attempt at the game and me and my friends are really enjoying the experience. I think Delhi should develop more such greens to encourage the game and game lovers.”
At the end of the games, Keshav Mishra was declared the winner of the day. Keshav is a former international player who has represented India in several golf tournaments.

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(Published 15 February 2012, 15:28 IST)

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