Dhaka, January 26, 2009: The Aircel-Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) begins its 2009 season with the City Bank-Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open-2009 which will be staged at the Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka, from 28-31 January, 2009, in association with the Bangladesh Golf Federation. The Pro-Am event is scheduled for 27th January. This tournament carries a total prize purse of Rs. 20 lakh and marks Aircel-PGTI’s debut outside India.
The cream of Indian professional golf will tee it up at the inaugural edition of the Aircel-PGTI’s City Bank-Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open-2009. The impressive line-up will include Rahil Gangjee, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shamim Khan, Mohd Siddikur Rahman, Harmeet Kahlon and Harendra Gupta, to name a few.
Maj. Gen. Md Shafiqul Islam, Vice President, Bangladesh Golf Federation, said, “We are delighted to hold our first event in partnership with Aircel-PGTI. Golf has experienced tremendous growth in Bangladesh over the last few years and Aircel-PGTI’s initiative to revive the Bangladesh Open will give further impetus to this sport in our country. The Kurmitola Golf Club is in great condition and we expect very keen competition among the top professionals of the region.”
Established in the mid-50s, Kurmitola Golf Club (KGC) is Bangladesh’s premier golf course. Spread over an area of 125 acres, the course was designed by Frank Pennink and later remodeled by Dr. Sukitti Klangvhisai. KGC organizes numerous tournaments round the year. The Kurmitola Golf Club has also produced an exciting talent: Mohd Siddikur Rahman, a double-winner on the PGTI in 2007-08.
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said,“The City Bank-Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open-2009 is a landmark event for us as it not only marks our debut outside India but is also a major step towards raising the standard of professional golf in the South Asian region. With support from the Bangladesh Golf Federation, we are confident that we will not only be able to develop Bangladesh Open into a major event on the tour but also help develop professional golf in the country. On behalf of Aircel-PGTI and all our tour partners, I sincerely thank BGF for helping create another professional event for the players of the region.”
