December 19th 2010, New Delhi: The Professional Golf Tour of India Annual Awards 2010 presented by Rolex honored the top performers of the 2010 Aircel-PGTI season. Mr. Gautam Thapar, President PGTI and Chairman & CEO, Avantha Group, Mr. Yogesh Shah, Managing Director Rolex India and Jean Noel Rolex Sponsorships presided over the evening.

Chiragh Kumar - Rolex First Time Winner

Mr. Gautam Thapar, President, PGTI, presented the Honorary Lifetime Membership to PGTI to Arjun Atwal.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Gautam Thapar said, “The growth of professional golf in India has been phenomenal, thanks to the increasing interest in the sport, especially amongst young players. Credit must also be given to corporate houses, as more and more of them sponsor tournaments to encourage these players.” 

Ashok Kumar was named Rolex Player of the Year 2010. He received a Rolex custom engraved timepiece from Mr. Yogesh Shah, Managing Director, Rolex India. Ashok Kumar topped the Aircel Professional Golf Tour of India’s Order of Merit for 2010 with total earnings of Rs.5, 394, 125 for the season.

The Rolex First Time Winners Awards were presented to Indian professionals Sujjan Singh, Chiragh Kumar, Raju Ali Mollah, Vijay Kumar, Shankar Das and Mandeo Singh Pathania. These six professionals registered their maiden victories on the Aircel-PGTI during the 2010 season.

Abhishek Jha received the Aircel Emerging Player of the Year Award. Abhishek won this award on the basis of accumulating the highest earnings among all those professionals who made their debut as full card holders on the Aircel-PGTI in the 2010 season. Abhishek took home over Rs. 1.4 million in prize money for the year 2010.

Sujjan Singh (Rolex First Time Winner Awardee) & Jeev Milkha Singh

Delivering the key note address at the occasion, Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI said, “2010 has been a strong season for Indian professional golf. Right on top was the historic USPGA win of Arjun Atwal and the continued high finishes by Indian players across Asia and Europe and Manav Jaini almost bringing home the 2010 Indian Open. At home, on the PGTI, Ashok Kumar clocked a big first in India. Ashok has become the first player to win over rupees five million in one season at home, on his way to sealing the Rolex Player of the Year Award. Abhishek Jha claimed the Aircel Emerging Player of the Year title and take home a handsome Rs. 1.4 million for the season. In a year which has thrown up 6 first time winners, after 9 first time winners in 2009, the depth of talent breaking through has been very encouraging and the professionalism, the hunger to win and focus of young Indian professionals has been very inspiring.”

With 2010 season closing with 22 Order of Merit Events, 7 B-Tour Events and 3 International Events totalling over a whopping Rs 270 million in prize money, and 2011 looking to stage 24 Order of Merit Events, 10 B-Tour Events and 5 International events with an expected total prize money of Rs 330 million, the PGTI continues to work aggressively for the growth of the sport & the players.

With strong support from event partners, tour partners, golf clubs, the media and with the PGTI governance structure and constitution clearly defining the growth of the sport and the players as critical drivers, professional golf in India is looking strong for over the coming years.

The awards ceremony was attended by top Indian professionals and all key stake holders critical to the growth of the sport in the region in the years to come.