Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Indian Golf on Wednesday received a big boost with Global steel giant, Tata Steel signing a three-year deal as the umbrella sponsor of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI),,
“For more than a decade and a half, Tata Steel has hosted a tournament for the Indian pros at the Golmuri Golf Course in Jamshedpur. We decided it was time to extend our support to professional golf in the country as the lead partners for the entire tour,” Tata Steel Vice President Sanjiv Paul announced here
PGTI’s 2019 calendar will include between 18 and 20 tournaments across the country. In just over 12 years of its existence, more than 325 players have won prize money, with 38 players earning in excess of Rs 1 crore each.
As many as 52 players have won at least one of the 220 tournaments, Mhow’s Mukesh Kumar topping the chart with 19 victories.
PGTI’s alignment with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system opens the doors for more Indian players to make an impact on the world stage and also for the world to recognize the kind of talent that we have in India.
The introduction of world ranking points will also help in improving the fields at PGTI events as Indian players who are Asian Tour regulars will have that extra incentive and motivation of playing on their home tour.
PGTI Chief Executive Officer Uttam Mundy said, “We are delighted to welcome Tata Steel, one of Indian sports earliest and biggest benefactors, as our umbrella sponsor. Both the main and feeder tours – will benefit from PGTI’s association with Tata Steel.”
Tata Steel’s century-old association with sports dates back to Sir Dorabji Tata financing four athletes and two wrestlers for the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.
Tata Steel has created infrastructure for every sports discipline, including a 9-hole and an 18-hole golf course which have played host to a number of tournaments.