IGU planning two more pro events

The Indian Golf Union is making efforts to conduct two new professional events next year in addition to the Hero Indian Open, a $1.5 million event sanctioned by the European Tour and Asian Tour.

Disclosing this at a media interaction here Saturday, IGU's new president Jaydeep Chitlangia also added that the tournaments could also have either Asian Tour or European Tour classification.

"The discussions are on with a lot of sponsors to host Indian Masters and Indian Classic, and we are hoping to finalise the deal very soon," Chitlangia said on the sidelines of All India Amateur Championship at KGA in Bangalore.

Chitlangia also spoke about how the ongoing programmes that are being run by the IGU are changing the way golf is prevalent in India.

"We are proud to announce that we organize more than 75 tournaments in a year at the sub-junior, junior, amateur and senior level. In these tournaments, we give a chance to players from each age group to compete, any one from the age of 6 to 70 and above can participate.

"We also run a lot of programs for the development of golf. National Handicapping Service, Course rating programs, Green Keepers Seminars, Referee certification courses and training for different level of coaches, are few of our endeavors to provide 360 degree support for the growth of the game," Chitlangia added.

IGU is also keen on improving the refereeing programs in India after the success of its wards on the international scene.

"Ishwar Achanta and Shalini Malik officiated at the British Open. It is indeed satisfying to see that home grown referees are getting opportunities at the highest level. We have created a number of A-level coaches who are imparting coaching to the beginners across the country," he said.

Asked about IGU's role in the infrastructure development of golf, Chitlangia said: "We cannot get involved in building golf courses or driving ranges, but we can always engage with promoters to provide guidance.

"We can also help them in course rating and make proposals on their behalf to the government for leasing of land."

Chitlangia is also confident that India will do well in 2016 Rio Olympics where Golf is being reinstated after long lay-off.

"I see Anirban Lahiri leading the pack, and it could be Rashid Khan or any other young golfer accompanying him while vying for an Olympic medal. These are indeed exciting times for Indian Golf, and IGU as the parent body of golf."