On The Greens In Sizzling Spain

A golf club is now as mandatory for an executive as the laptop in his hand. But wielding the former's proving tougher than the latter simply because it's more than just fun and games. Unfortunately, executives have tended to look on the links as just another means of networking, not unlike the mobile. Increasingly, therefore, companies are promoting serious golf, what with regular practice and training sessions at clubs around the country.

Seagram's Blenders Pride recently held auditions in Mumbai, Bangalore and Calcutta, with the finals hosted at Gurgaon's DLF Golf & Country Club, to put together a team for the prestigious World Corporate Golf Challenge. This tournament, held every year in the delightful greens of La Manga, Spain, is a global event that brings together corporate teams from over 30 countries through licensed events. Rishi Narain, director, Golf India, IMG, says, "Earlier this season, nearly 200 corporate teams from all over India participated in the zonals. The winners won an automatic entry to the Corporate Golf Masters, that is the finals in India." In the same event last year, Indian winners AV Thomas & Co stood fourth in the international finals, with one of the winners, Digvijay Singh, having turned professional. However, only amateurs are allowed to participate in the tourney.

 

Why are corporates turning into keen golfers? It could be love of the game, an official excuse to participate in a fun hobby _ after all, you're more likely to bump into business associates on the greens than in boardrooms, and definitely in more congenial surroundings.

Two former Asian Games gold medalists and Arjuna awardees were seen in action for a chance in the open category _ Amit Luthra from Luthra & Luthra, and Lakshman Singh from McNeill & Magor. Some of the CEOs who made their presence felt were Tarun Kunzru, Adidas and U K Bose, Sahara Airlines, who also emerged with the best individual net score of 44 points. Two petroleum companies picked up the trophies and will be flown to Spain for the gala event: Anitya Chand and Jaideep Patwardhan of Gas Authority of India won the open category, while Tarun Dewan and Romeo James of Bharat Petroleum Corporation lifted the designer pewter trophy for the handicap category. Besides representing India, the winners got to carry away a Callaway professional touring golf bag. While announcing the tournament, Param Uberoi, country general manager and CEO, Seagram India said, "As the official qualifying event in India for the apex corporate golf tournament in the world, Blenders Pride Corporate Golf Masters provides a platform for India's best corporate golfers to compete with their peers in the international arena. Besides being a corporate golf outing, it is designed to be a competitive tournament attracting accomplished corporate golfers in the country." Later in the day, the who's who of Indian industry joined in the celebrations in a Spanish-style evening. Viva la!