Written By: Divyanshu Sahu

 

 

26th of June, PGTI put the responsibility of president to the long time association Kapil Dev. Kapil, one of India's cricket legends, has seamlessly transitioned into another precision sport, golf. Renowned for leading India to its first World Cup victory in 1983, Kapil's post-cricket journey into the golfing world has been both significant and transformative. His involvement in golf is not merely a pastime; it's a dedicated effort to grow the sport across India, making it accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

 

 

New president Kapil Dev with PGTI board members (left to right) Abhinav Lohan, Vikrant Chopra, Manav Jaini, Amandeep Johl and the organisation’s CEO, Uttam Singh Mundy (centre). Image courtesy PGTI.

 

 

“It is an honor to become the President of PGTI, an organization with which I have now been associated for quite a few years. It is a players body, and I am great friends with all of them and with whom I often play,” Kapil said on his new position.

 

“And now it is the sport where I spend most of my time. I have been a vice-president and I am on the board, so it’s an honor to be chosen by the players to be the president. I promise to do my best, as I always have. What gives me even greater pleasure is that I will be able to spend more time with my golfing friends and play a little more,” he added.

 

“We are honored to have Indian sports icon Kapil Dev take over as President of PGTI. We are confident that the PGTI will scale greater heights under Kapil Dev’s astute leadership as his name has been synonymous with excellence in sports. His valuable experience as a professional sportsman and an accomplished golfer will be an asset for the PGTI, paving the way for the further growth of Indian professional golf. We wish Kapil Dev all the success,” PGTI chief executive officer Uttam Singh Mundy said. 

 

 

 

Kapil's Entry into Golf

 

 

 

After an illustrious career in cricket, Kapil Dev discovered a new passion in golf, a sport that, like cricket, requires precision but offers a different kind of challenge — the challenge of perfecting every shot in solitude. Golf became his new arena for competition and self-improvement. His initial foray into golf was marked by personal enjoyment, but as he grew in the sport, he saw an opportunity to leverage his fame to raise its profile in India. Kapil’s golfing journey began with participating in local tournaments and quickly escalated to international amateur competitions, where his performance and presence drew significant attention.

 

 

Role as PGTI Board Member

 

 

 

Kapil's influence and expertise were soon recognized by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), leading to his induction as a board member. In this role, he has been pivotal in shaping the strategic direction of professional golf in India. His efforts are focused on not just enhancing the competitive landscape but also on increasing grassroots participation. Kapil believes in the power of golf to teach life skills such as discipline, patience, and integrity, which are valuable beyond the greens.

 

 

 

Promoting Golf Through High-Profile Tournaments

 

 

Under Kapil’s leadership, several high-profile golf tournaments have been introduced, including the Kapil Dev – Grant Thornton Invitational. This tournament, held at the luxurious DLF Golf and Country Club, features not only seasoned golfers but also celebrities, drawing public and media attention alike. Kapil often emphasizes the importance of such events in making golf a spectator sport in India, similar to cricket, by creating exciting and engaging tournaments.

 

 

 

Challenges in Promoting Golf

 

 

Kapil always advocated for the development of public golf courses that are affordable and accessible

 

 

The journey to popularize golf in India is fraught with challenges. Golf is often viewed as an elite sport with limited access. Kapil has tackled this perception head-on by advocating for the development of public golf courses that are affordable and accessible. He actively works with various stakeholders to secure funding and support for these initiatives, aiming to democratize golf and make it a sport for everyone.

 

 

 

Infrastructure and Accessibility Enhancements

 

 

A major area of focus for Kapil has been enhancing the infrastructure for golf in India. By improving training facilities and making golf courses more accessible, he hopes to attract young talent to the sport. His efforts include organizing workshops and clinics that aim to train coaches and players, thereby strengthening the foundational skills necessary for professional golf.

 

 

 

Corporate Sponsorships and Media Engagement

 

 

Kapil leverages his celebrity status to forge partnerships with corporate sponsors, bringing in the necessary capital and exposure to grow the sport. He frequently appears in media to talk about the benefits of golf, aiming to stir interest and enthusiasm among the youth. His articulate advocacy highlights the sport’s potential to be a major player in the Indian sports ecosystem.

 

 

 

Kapil's Legacy and Future Goals

 

 

Putting to the new & strong future of Indian Golf

 

 

Kapil Dev envisions a future where golf is recognized as a major sport in India. His long-term goals include seeing more Indians on the international golf circuit and hosting world-class tournaments in India. By laying down a robust foundation through comprehensive development programs, Kapil is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of golfers who will carry forward his legacy.

 

 

Kapil Dev Strongly felt there were two key areas he needed to prioritize, he put these areas as follows:

 

“The first thing I want to do is increase the number of tournaments. We have about 20 now and I’d want it to be ideally around 30-35. That would be wonderful from a sports person's perspective. Players don’t want to sit idle. You saw with cricket how they were happy just to be able to play during the lockdown even without spectators. Our golfers must also get a schedule like the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour,” said Kapil, a regular invitee to ProAms in some of the biggest tournaments around the world.

 

“The other thing I want to do is approach every golf club and request them to open up their facilities for professional golfers. Why should they pay to practice? And many clubs don’t even let the pros play. I don’t want to approach the government for this…they have enough things to take care of. I urge the clubs to embrace the professionals and make things easy for them.”

 

PGTI has an alliance with DP World Tour, Kapil is open to having the Asian Tour return to India and have tournaments.

 

“It is important if we can bring the European Tour events as well as Asian Tour events here. Having bigger tournaments, prize money and players is wonderful. Having said that, we still need corporate support to bring these tournaments,” said Kapil, who was also on the Asian Tour board for a couple of years in the mid-2000s.

 

According to him - “The Tatas have been great supporters of golf, but I would like to get the Ambanis and the Adanis and the Mahindras into it.”

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

Kapil Dev's commitment to golf goes beyond playing the sport; it is about fostering a culture of golf in India. Through his initiatives and leadership, he aims to transform golf into a sport that is not only enjoyable but also accessible to the masses. His efforts to popularize golf are paving the way for a new era of sporting culture in India, one where golf holds a prominent place alongside cricket.

 

 

This comprehensive exploration of Kapil Dev's involvement in golf not only highlights his contributions but also his vision for making golf a beloved sport in India, ensuring his impact lasts for generations to come.

 

Stay updated with golf news and events at 4moles.com.

 

 

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