European Tour golf debuts in India next year

New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) India is set to become the 37th European Tour venue when the inaugural Indian Masters is held from February 7-10 next year at a venue to be announced later.

Promoted and organised by 'golf in DUBAI' and sanctioned by the European Tour and the Indian Golf Union, the 2.5 million dollar event will be the richest event held in India.

General JJ Singh, President of the Indian Golf Union, said, ''It is an historic moment for Indian Golf with a European Tour event being held in India boasting of the richest prize money in the history of Indian golf.'' ''The event is a result of the growing status of the game of golf in India, augmented by the Indian performances across the golfing globe,'' he said in a statement.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, Vice-Chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAI', said the European Tour event ''will have the appeal and the profile to further enliven the Indian golf scene.'' George O'Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said, ''The growth of the Indian economy has coincided with the emergence of golf as a major sport in the country.

We are always keen to expand our tournament portfolio into new territories and we believe that the Indian Masters offers huge potential on that front.'' UNI PDS SAM VV1751