STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Jammu Tawi Golf Course is all set to host the prestigious Professional Golf Tournament in India (PGTI), under the overall patronage of J&K Tourism Department.
About 126 professional international golfers from different parts of India and abroad are visiting the Jammu City for five-day Golf tournament, teeing off from 4th October this year and concluding on 8th of October.
Briefing the media on the occasion of formal announcement of 2nd leg of this distinguishable event, the Director Tourism Vivekanand Rai on Saturday said that the tournament will not only exploit the potential of local and budding golfers but will also provide opportunity to them in learning the skills vis-à-vis bringing a boom in the tourism sector. He further elaborated that it is a matter of great pride to host such a prestigious event at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course and it shall be a grand tournament of the prevailing international standards.
The Director Tourism Jammu further stated that the government is giving special impetus to golf tourism and this tournament shall surely be resourceful in meeting our aspirations and helping us to attract more tourists in Jammu region for which the administration is taking adequate steps and initiatives in this regard. He was joined by Special Secretary Tourism Department S. Amarjeet Singh, Joint Director Jammu Tourism Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Secretary JTGC Manav Gupta and PGTI representative Vikas.
Briefing the media at Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Special Secretary Tourism Department Amarjeet Singh said that it is an honour for the Tourism Department to host the second edition of the PGTI at Jammu from October 4 that will conclude on October 8 with a Pro Am event. He further added that 126 golfers of national and international repute will participate in the prestigious event and expressed his commitment towards promoting Golf Tourism in J&K which boasts of five international standard golf courses. Such international events help to tap the potential of tourism of J&K and the international participants are not only our guests but also our brand ambassadors across the country and the world, thereby spreading the message of our Hospitality and professionalism.
Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Sunaina Mehta revealed that the Jammu Tourism has also planned a ‘Dogri Food Festival’ for the golfers and the participants so that being in Jammu they could relish the local cuisines and get to know about the culture and traditions of this place.?She added that the Golfers shall be given a tour of Jammu City and our rich cultural heritage shall be introduced to them with presentation of local products so that they become our tourism brand ambassadors all over the world. She also elaborated the media personnel that the Golfers shall be taken to our heritage sites, Suchetgarh Retreat Ceremony showcasing Border Tourism potential of the area, Musical Fountain at Bahu Fort along with Jammu Ropeway Station across Bahu-Mohmaya-Peer Kho, different pilgrimage sites like Raghunath Ji Temple, Jhiri Temple, Tirupati Temple, and also shall be taken for Paragliding rides at Aithem and fun rides at Surinsar along with Wildlife exposure trip to Jambu Zoo, Surinsar-Mansar. She also said that cultural exhibitions displaying local art, craft, paintings, handloom products shall also be an added feature during this five days International Golfing Bonanza at Jammu City.
Secretary, JTGC, Manav Gupta said that the event likewise previous year is going to be a game changer for professional and budding golfers in Jammu and Kashmir.He said that the Jammu Tawi Golf Course is an 18-hole course of international standard spread in 1400 kanals and the PGTI (controlling body of Professional Golf Tour in India) team last year after inspection, declared the venue fit and expressed their willingness for this international event at our Golf Course. He also added that this event will help Jammu scale new heights in terms of emerging as a favoured Golfing Destination for national and international players, and it’s scenic beauty surrounded by heritage structures like Amar Mahal, Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort, the rich flora of the JTGC has created an ecological niche, alluring golfers to come and play here. Mr.?Gupta said that few pre-events to involve the local population into the golf are also being planned before the PGTI matches to motivate and inspire them for the participation in the game.?
PGTI representative interacted with the media and expressed his satisfaction with the golfing conditions at Jammu Tawi Golf Course and also added that the hospitality of Jammu people in 2022 was remarkable and that the Golfers are eager to come here again this year and play at this golf course of international standard. He also appealed to the locals especially Golfing enthusiasts to be part of the event and be good spectators and cheer leaders for the participants.