New Delhi: The Hero Indian Open 2012 will be held at the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) in Bangalore for the first time in the tournament’s illustrious history.
The Indian Golf Union (IGU), Nimbus Sport and Asian Tour announced today that the 49th edition of the prestigious Hero Indian Open will be staged from October 18 to 21, 2012 with a prize purse of US$1.25 million.
India’s National Open, in its legacy of 48 years, has so far been held only in New Delhi and Kolkata. With the event now moving to Bangalore, more fans from across the country will be able to watch top quality golf more closely.
The event being staged in Bangalore aligns with IGU’s vision to maximize the reach of quality golf across India, providing golfers and golf fans from across the country an opportunity to truly embrace one of Asia's oldest Opens.
Announcing this here today, Manjit Singh, President, Indian Golf Union said: “The Indian Open has been the pride of Indian golf for 48 years on the trot. Starting from 1964, the IGU has ensured that the tournament is conducted in all its glory. The IGU Council had proposed that the Open should go to different venues around the country and we are delighted that all the stakeholders, especially the title sponsor, Hero Moto Corp Ltd and the promoter supported this cause. For the first time, the event will be staged in Bangalore reinforcing the commitment of IGU to promote golf across India. I also commend Nimbus Sport’s enthusiasm in showcasing the tournament in Bangalore, thereby helping the reach of the event across India.”
Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd., said: “Indian golf today reflects the India Story – young, talented and confident to take on the world. In many ways, we at Hero also reflect the same spirit. We are a young company ready to spread our wings across the globe. And therefore, it gives me immense pleasure to see the reach of the event spreading across India. We hope to see members, aspiring golfers and fans of the sport on the course that week. Like in the previous years, I am hopeful that we will discover a new golfing talent this year as well.”
Yannick Colaco, Chief Operating Officer, Nimbus Sport is confident that the Hero Indian Open will showcase the best of Asian golf talent with Nimbus playing an instrumental role towards the growth and development of golf in India.,
“Taking the National Open to Bangalore will see us reinforcing our long term commitment to grow and nurture the sport.
“These are exhilarating times for professional golf, especially in India, and with our partnership with the IGU reaffirms our commitment to building the commercial value of the sport across India. The KGA course is rated as one of the best in the country in recent times and a perfect fit for showcasing an event of this stature,” said Colaco.
Sumit Rathor, President, KGA said: “On behalf of the Managing Committee we are privileged and pleased to host the jewel in the crown of Indian golf – The Hero Indian Open. It is indeed our pleasure to see the momentous tournament come down south and showcase some of the best golfing talents across Asia. The 7,227 yards, par 72 course will be presented in prime condition, a force to reckon with challenging golfers and hopefully creating some great golfing moments along the way for golf fans to witness.”
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the move to take the Hero Indian Open to a new destination, saying it will help grow professional golf across the sub-continent nation. “On behalf of our players, we welcome the decision to stage the Hero Indian Open in Bangalore. With support from a great sponsor in Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the championship will continue to drive the development of the game in India and Asia.
“The Hero Indian Open is one of our most important golf championships on the Asian Tour Schedule and we look forward to working closely with Hero, IGU and Nimbus Sport for the continued success of the event.”
As India’s oldest running international sporting competition, its continued popularity has also inspired many aspiring young golfers to pick up the game, making it one of the fastest growing sports in the sub-continent. With the tournament moving to southern India, aspiring golfers down that region will get to witness its stellar field in action.
Since its inauguration in 1964, the Indian Open has discovered many of the country’s finest talents, including the likes of Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar.
The Indian Open has also attracted a stellar field of international players in the past such as Edoardo Molinari, David Gleeson, Paul McGinley, Rikard Karlberg, Daniel Chopra, Mark Brown and Darren Beck.
By Indian Sports News Network
