Pune hosts charity Pro-Am

Edited by Anand Datla

Top 23 Professional Golf Players participated in a charity tournament for the first time ever in India

The proceedings from the tournament went towards Equal opportunity foundation and Plan India -an NGO, run by Arti Kirloskar & Film Director Govind Nihalani

Top corporate leaders like Atul Kirloskar, B. G. Shirke, Manish Jaitha support the cause

January 09 2015: India’s first Charity Pro-Am Golf tournament was held on 4^th of January 2015 at Pune’s Oxford Golf & Country Club. This tournament was organized by Pune based International Professional Golfer Rajiv Datar.  For the first time, 23 pro-ranked top golfers came together on one green to support a cause. The proceedings from the tournament went towards Plan India -an NGO, run by Arti Kirloskar & Film Director Govind Nihalani. Plan India works for the education of underprivileged girls in India. The tournament was played in a Texas scramble format with 1 professional player and 3 amateur players in each team.

“It’s the first time in India that top 23 pro golf players played for a charity event. While the cause is close to my heart, it is also a unique concept where the interaction between Pros and amateur was high, giving opportunity to all involved in the game to learn something new – even as we raised funds for a worthy cause,” informed Rajiv Datar.

Pune also got a chance to witness a one of a kind auction of sports memorabilia, from the leading names in sports adding to the excitement. Shiv Kapur offered his Putter (with which he scored his best finish in the US Open in 2014), cricketer Robin Uthappa his Cricket Bat (his bat used for highest scoring of runs during last season of IPL), Leander Paes gave a signed racquet and Northern Irishman Darren Clarke- a signed three wood putter and Anirban Lahiri’s 9 iron golf club.

“We are delighted to see sports persons & corporate leaders coming together in Pune for such a good cause. Plan India works for education of underprivileged girls. Education makes a real difference to the lives of these girls. Such fundraising events will help us to reach to more underprivileged girls in India and make difference in their lives,” said Arti Kirloskar.

International Professional Golf Players like Shiv Kapur, Anirban Lahiri, Sujan Singh, Kunal Bhasin & many others took part in this tournament, along with top corporate leaders like Atul Kirloskar, B. G. Shirke, Spica’s Manish Jaitha, Swarovski’s Werner Ploner, Patrwardhans, Vodafone’s Ishmeet Singh and Sufal Melhotra, Kolte Patil Builder’s Rajesh Patil, Builder Ranjeet Naik Navare , ex Indian cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Platina’s Pramod Bakre.