Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA) and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, today announced the fifth edition of the Golconda Masters Golf Championship Powered by Telangana Tourism, which will be held at the Hyderabad Golf Club (HGC) from February 6 to 9, and will carry a prize purse of Rs 40 lakh. The event of the season-opener will be held on February 10.
The tournament which will witness participation by 124 golfers is supported by Powered By Partners Incredible India and Telangana Tourism, Rehydration Partner Fruit Nik Electro Plus, Associate Partner Vooty Golf County, News Partner WION and Host Partner HGA. Besides India’s leading professionals, the field will also feature professionals from countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Australia.
The 2019 edition of the Golconda Masters marks the beginning of a new era in Indian golf as PGTI aligns itself with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system for the first time. The Golconda Masters 2019 will be the first ever PGTI event to offer world ranking points. The break-up of OWGR points for all PGTI events will be as follows: Winner – 5 points, Runner-up –3 points, Third Place – 2 points, Fourth Place – 1.6 points, Fifth Place – 1.2 points.
The top Indian professionals in the fray include Asian Tour regulars Khalin Joshi (2018 PGTI Order of Merit champion), Ajeetesh Sandhu (2016 & 2017 Golconda Masters champion),Chikkarangappa, Aman Raj, Chiragh Kumar, Abhijit Singh Chadha as well as other leading players such as Rashid Khan, defending champion Udayan Mane and Harendra Gupta (2015 Golconda Masters champion), to name a few.
The foreign challenge will be led by the Sri Lankan quartet of Anura Rohana, N Thangaraja, Mithun Perera and K Prabagaran as well as Australian Kunal Bhasin and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah.
J Vikramdev Rao, President, HGA, said, “The Hyderabad Golf Association is happy to be associated with the fifth edition of the Golconda Masters being conducted by The Professional Golf Tour of India and being held at the Hyderabad Golf Club course from the February 6 to 9. This event gives our golfers the opportunity to watch top players from India and abroad. It is also great learning experience for our young golfers. I wish all the participants the very best and good luck.”
C Dayakar Reddy, Captain, HGA, said, “We are delighted to host the Golconda Masters for the fifth time. The golf course is in a very good condition and the Pros will enjoy playing on it. We are looking forward to seeing the veterans and several youngsters make their mark.”
Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, “It is an exciting time for Indian golf as the PGTI joins the list of the elite golfing tours in the world that are a part of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. The majestic Hyderabad Golf Club provides the ideal setting for the PGTI to turn a new leaf in its history. We thank the Hyderabad Golf Association and Telangana Tourism for their unflinching support in staging the Golconda Masters for the fifth year in succession.
With the advent of world ranking points we expect more fierce competition on the tour than ever before. We wish the players all the best.” Promoted by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation and the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA), the 212-acre expanse provides an 18-hole, 6200 yard, par-71 layout that also features a floodlit driving range, a pro shop, a golf fitting shop, and training & practice facilities. A modern clubhouse with dining hall, lounge, open deck, change rooms, and trained staff is also in place.
The mission of the project is to set up an international standard golf course, a golf training academy and to put Hyderabad on the International Golfing map. The ‘Best Tourism Friendly Golf Course’ award bestowed on it by National Tourism, reiterates the pleasant experience that HGA provides. The Hyderabad Golf Club offers 18 challenging holes that bring players up close with the heritage and beauty of the Deccan hinterland – Golconda Fort and Naya Quila in particular. (NSS)