The Indian Open, one of the prestigious Golf events of India has chosen KGA (Karnataka Golf Association) Bangalore as its venue for the year 2012. For the growth of golf, this is great news as it will help spread the game in other parts of the country.

In the next 2 years, we will see at least 47 new golf courses across India out of which more than 30 of these courses are in South and West of India. With the Indian Open moving to South after 48 editions and coverage by Nimbus, this will definitely boost the game and its associated business like golf tourism in the region.

However, why did the event move out of the Northern region and Delhi Golf Course? When we asked the Director General of Indian Golf Union (IGU), Gen. A. Parmar replied, “The quality of golf courses in other parts of India are now of International standards. Keeping the same in mind, the IGU Council has decided to move the Indian Open to the south of India. KGA-Bangalore is an excellent Golf course and meets the Indian Open standards”. Asked if the decision is based on comparatively higher capitation fees and other terms demanded by golf courses in Delhi, he said, “IGU’s objective is to spread the game of golf, therefore it is time for the Indian Open to also move to other parts of India, the decision is not at all related to capitation fees, etc.”

For the past few years, Delhi/NCR has been hosting most of the European Tour, Asian Tour, PGTI and IGU events like Avantha Masters, Panasonic Open India, SAIL Open, Indian Open, etc. These events would mostly be held in Golf courses like DLF Golf and Country Club, Delhi Golf Course or Jaypee Greens. But with new and international standard golf courses like Prestige Golfshire in Bangalore, The Oxford Golf and Country Club, there seems to be a growing interest in minds of the golfing bodies and the sponsors to look at new venues.

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