Posted: 25 Aug 2010 10:27 PM PDT

NEW DELHI (AFP) – Golf in India is hoping Arjun Atwal's breakthrough win on the USPGA Tour is a step forward for a sport that could secure a huge future in the rapidly developing country.

Atwal became the first Indian to win a title on the demanding American circuit when he captured the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina on Sunday.

"It is one of India's finest golfing successes and will inspire people to raise their ambition," Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) director Padamjit Sandhu told AFP.

"His victory is sure to lift golf's profile further in India. It is already one of the fastest growing sports in the country."

There are only 200 recognised golf courses in India according to the Indian Golf Union -- one for nearly every six million people.

But the sport is seen as well suited to modern India, as vast new towns and housing developments spring up to cater for the country's educated and professional middle classes.

Cricket great Kapil Dev, who turned to competitive golf after retiring from cricket in 1994, said golf provided a tempting opportunity for investors willing to build new courses and facilities.

The DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, a booming satellite town outside Delhi, is one prestigious example of how the sport is being used to promote the aspirational lifestyle sought by many Indians.

The course, designed by former champion Arnold Palmer in 2002, hosts professional international tournaments and acts as the centrepiece of "DLF city" -- a complex of luxury houses, offices, schools, hospitals, hotels and shopping malls.

Across India, many similar new developments -- including Lavasa, a new hill town being built outside Mumbai -- offer golf as a sophisticated leisure activity that is associated with successful business people worldwide.

"There are lot of kids out there who dream about becoming golfers, just as we dreamt about becoming cricketers in our younger days," Dev, the 1983 cricket World Cup winning captain, said.

"But we need courses, and also driving ranges and putting greens, not only in big cities but also in smaller towns."

Travel agent Randhir Varma says he is increasingly drawing up golf-specific holiday packages for Indian tourists.

"Earlier, people came asking for packages to Goa and Kerala," said Varma. "Now they want to know which place has the best golf course."

Indian golf has come a long way since amateur Biloo Sethi's Indian Open win in 1965, which remained the country's lone success in its home event until 1991 when caddie-turned-pro Ali Sher secured the title.

India has thrown up other winners of the Asian Tour Order of Merit with Jyoti Randhawa in 2002, Atwal in 2003 and Jeev Milkha Singh in 2006 and 2008.

Indian golf took a giant leap forward in 2008 when the DLF Golf and Country Club hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic, a European Tour event played in the Asia Pacific region.

The same year, the Indian Masters, held at the historic Delhi Golf Club, featured top golfers like Ernie Els and Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell -- but was won by local pro Shiv Chowrasia.

Atwal, 37, told local media after his Wyndham success that winning a major was not an impossible dream for Indian golfers.

"I won't put a time frame on it, but it is definitely possible," he told the Times Now channel. "Our players have won across Asia, Japan and Europe. With support from the government and sponsors, anything can be achieved."

However, he admitted that he did not have an Indian sponsor despite spending 15 years on the professional circuit -- a sign that cricket's total dominance of sport in India left golf with major obstacles to overcome.

"It's not only about the money, but it will be nice to have a sponsor from my own country," he said. "It gives a good feeling knowing one of your own is backing you."

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Golf Magazine honors IVGID's director of golf

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 08:50 AM PDT

Golf Inc. magazine recently announced the top golf course operators in the world in its summer 2010 publication. Honored for the second year in a row is the Incline Village General Improvement District Director of Golf Cathy Jo Johnson.

Johnson, along with 19 others, was nominated by more than 100 worldwide golf industry insiders. Leading the list of honorees this year was R. J. Harper, senior vice president of Pebble Beach, the Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Del Monte Golf Course.

The selection by the 50 judges who collected the nominations was based primarily on how well they have demonstrated consistent excellence in successfully directing operations at a golf course.

Golf outings support Loveland business and charity

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 12:41 PM PDT

Two days of all golf, all the time. At least that's what Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 seemed like in Loveland as O'Bannon Creek Golf Club and Hickory Woods Golf Course played host to the Loveland Area Chamber 23rd annual golf scramble and Paxton's fifth annual golf outing.

Photos: Golf outings

Sun bathed the greens and fairways as 17 teams of 68 golfers teed it up at O'Bannon Creek Golf Club Friday, Aug. 20, for the Loveland Area Chamber event.

"The golf outing, along with all the other chamber events, helps support the $2,000 scholarships awarded each year to graduating seniors residing in the Loveland s school district," said the chamber's executive director, Paulette Leeper.

Though no one sunk a hole-in-one to win a car, Leeper said "the event went smoothly." The Salon Rapport team shot 16 under par to win first place in the scramble.

"The O'Bannon Creek staff made it really easy," she said. "The golfers had a good time networking and playing golf on a private course on a Friday afternoon."

Loveland resident and Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist Paul Daugherty talked about Loveland, Reds baseball, Bengal football, and other Cincinnati sports while "answering a great round of questions" as the featured speaker throughout the evening. Gary Vidmar, Loveland's new assistant city manager joined chief of police, Tim Sabransky for the outing. While it takes all the sponsors and volunteers to make it a success according to Leeper, the main sponsor for this year was Pure Romance.

"We try to help business keep their bottom lines strong," Leeper said. "We promote all business in the area and the growth of new business for the future."

Overcast skies and a brief shower helped create comfortably cooler conditions golfers at Hickory Woods golf course for the fifth annual Paxton's outing to benefit CancerFree Kids Saturday, Aug. 21.

"It went really well," said Sandy Russell, an assistant manager at Paxton's Grill and one of many volunteers working at the outing on Saturday.

There was cause for a lot of excitement this year for Paxton's Grill golf outing. The outing has grown from four teams and 16 golfers only four years ago, to a complete sellout of 36 teams and 144 golfers in 2010. They've been able to increase their support for the CancerFree Kids cause each year. Though the final total is not yet in, they expect to donate a considerable sum of money again this year.

"I'm overwhelmed and amazed how big this became in such a short time," said Rick McGuire who has helped coordinate and run the event all five years with Ralph Dunnigan of Paxton's. "They meet new people, play with friends and enjoy a round of good golf."

He said a lot of excitement is generated by the big prize contests like the hole-in-one; beat the pro, longest drive and the ball drop. In the end, he said the golfers look forward to having fun and enjoying a good round of golf. One team enjoyed a good round of 57 to take home first place in the scramble.

"Trying to win the big prize contests is secondary," McGuire said. "It's a wonderful event, an honest good outing with lots of repeat players looking forward to having fun."

It's a good thing the "big prize contests" are secondary, because nobody won the $10,000 hole in one, or car, and nobody beat the pro either. Even the CancerFree Kids ball drop didn't have a ball fall in the hole for the "big" $1,500 first prize. That meant the first place money was donated directly to the cause.

The second prize of $750 did go to Cheryl McGuire when the ball she bought landed closest to the hole without falling in. Steve Murphy, who came all the way from Lima, Ohio, to play, won $250 when his ball landed furthest from the hole while remaining inside the perimeter circle. Off-duty Miami Township firefighters generously donated their time and an off-duty truck to drop the 800 golf balls.

"I haven't golfed in 15 years, but it was a blast," said Jennifer Kavensky of Superior Blendz one of the hole sponsors. "It was relaxing, we laughed so much."

Golf roundup

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 04:13 AM PDT

Golf

Christopher Dock 227, Upper Perkiomen 219—Drew Mininger and Kyle Martin both shot 41 to lead the Pioneers past Upper Perk on Monday at Macoby Run Golf Course.

Christopher Dock 227—Kyle Martin 41, Dan Weaver 43, Drew Mininger 41, Jake Saitta 49, Colton Young 53

Upper Perkiomen 219—Tyler Wilz 43, Phil Knight 43, Austin Bennett 44, Cris Frickmann 44, Jake Strause 45

Central Bucks South 202, Pennridge 219– The Rams fell by 17 strokes to the Titans to open their season last Thursday at The Bucks Club. Patrick Rambo and Colin McIntyre shot a team best 43.

Pennridge (219) – P. Rambo 43, C. McIntyre, C. Murphy 44, M. Jarrell 44, N. Hill 45.

Central Bucks South (202) – M. Mason 38, T. Darrah 39, P. Zakrewski 41, J. Dunleavy 41, D. Giaquitno 43.

Golf Zone

Thursday, August 26, 2010

“Golf in India ready to tee off after Atwal's triumph” plus 3 more

“Golf in India ready to tee off after Atwal's triumph” plus 3 more

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