Bangalore, October 31, 2008: Toyota, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers, has announced its entry into the arena of Indian professional golf with the launch of the inaugural Toyota Altis Open presented by Eagleton, an event organized in association with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), 'the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India'.

The Rs. 20 Lakh event will be PGTI's first at one of India's premier championship courses, the magnificent Eagleton Golf Resort. The tournament will be staged from November 5th to 8th, 2008 and will be followed by the Pro-Am on 9th November.

Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, MD, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Limited said

"Toyota is proud to be associated with this prestigious sport and the event. Over the past few years the sport has witnessed a tremendous boost in the country and is slowly but steadily on its way to becoming one of the most popular sports in the country.  We would like to contribute towards the development of the game in this country and The Toyota Altis Open presented by Eagleton is the first major step in that direction."

The Toyota Altis Open presented by Eagleton is expected to witness a grand contest as it will feature all the top professionals from the PGTI such as Ashok Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Ganapathy, Shamim Khan, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Harendra Gupta, Mohd Siddikur Rahman and Harmeet Kahlon to name a few.

Mr. Ajai Gupta, Tour Commissioner, PGTI, said, "The support of a world-renowned brand such as Toyota will help PGTI realize its objective of 'Taking Indian Golf Global'. On behalf of the PGTI I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to Toyota for its generous support towards the promotion of professional golf in India."

Mr. Ashok Kumar, Managing Director of Eagleton Golf Resort said "After all these years, we are delighted to have the first men's professional tournament scheduled at Eagleton. The course has matured over the years and the new championship tees will provide a good test of golf. We welcome India's top players to experience the Eagleton course and wish them best of luck."

Mr. Rishi Narain of Rishi Narain Golf Management Pvt Ltd, promoters of the tournament said "The Toyota Altis Open presented by Eagleton underlines Bangalore's emergence as the capital of golf development in India. With its favourable climate, emergence of top young male and female players and development of new courses we see Bangalore as a strong force in Indian golf. We thank Bangalore based Toyota Kirloskar Motors and our hosts Eagleton for their partnership in this event which we hope to establish as Bangalore's biggest annual golfing celebration. With the star studded field of veterans and young talent – Bangalore golf fans are in for a fantastic show this week."

The venue for the event, the Eagleton Golf Resort, situated on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, is home to a USPGA standard course. This picturesque course is spread out over 170 acres and has undulating fairways and huge greens with an excellent drainage system. Over 40,000 trees, lush turf and sophisticated fertilization, irrigation and waste water management contribute to a natural and pleasing biosphere.