By Rahul Banerji
The Rs 60 lakh 2018 Bengaluru Open Golf Championship powered by Britannia, GoAir and principal partner Karnataka Tourism, and presented by Indo-MIM tees off at the Karnataka Golf Association course on Thursday.
The second edition of the tournament features a strong field with India’s top professionals such as Rashid Khan, Chiragh Kumar, defending champion Udayan Mane and Honey Baisoya, to name a few among the 126 entrants.
Syed Saqib Ahmed, M. Dharma and C. Muniyappa make up a strong local presence while prominent overseas names include Sri Lankans Mithun Perera, Anura Rohana, N. Thangaraja and K. Prabagaran, Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah and Australian Kunal Bhasin.
Warm welcome
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Indo-MIM director Sumit Rathor said, “As a passionate golfer I am delighted that the tournament is being played in my city and my club.
“I feel privileged that the organisation I represent is presenting the Open Golf Championship. I look forward to a successful tournament and sincerely hope that more young Indians will take up professional golf.”
Karnataka tourism minister Sa. Ra. Mahesh, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to know that the Professional Golf Tour of India is organising the Bengaluru Open at the Karnataka Golf Association course.
‘City of contrasts’
“A land known for its silks, spices and sandalwood, Karnataka adds up as an experience to remember. The state capital is India’s most cosmopolitan city and a city of contrasts. And Bengaluru is undoubtedly the most diverse of all cities in India when it comes to the field of sports.
“Golf has a long tradition here in Karnataka. The golfing experience includes three distinct environments spread across the state: a high-life experience in the cities of Bengaluru and Mysuru, nature-nestled in Coorg, Chikmagalur, Belgaum and tranquil by the sea Mangalore.”
Added KGA president Harish Kumar Shetty, “The Bengaluru Open is the flagship pro tournament launched last year with the support of the Government of Karnataka, Tourism Department.
“The KGA has played a key role in Bengaluru emerging as a major breeding ground for champions for the country over the years. The staging of the Bengaluru Open provides us an opportunity to unearth more golfing talent from the city and the rest of the country.
‘Ideal conditions’
“We have made best efforts in providing perfect course conditions for this tournament. We wish the players all the very best and hope to see some very exciting action over the next few days.”
Speaking on the occasion, PGTI chief executive Uttam Singh Mundy said, “We are delighted to be back in Bengaluru, a city that continues to produce its fair share of golfing talent for India such as Khalin Joshi, the most recent international winner from the country.
“The Bengaluru Open is likely to act as a catalyst for the city to produce more champions in the future and look forward to an enthralling week of top-class golfing action as the fiercely competitive 2018 season nears its culmination.”
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