No signs of GPL this February

,January 8, 2014: It might turn out to be disappointing February for golf enthusiasts as the much awaited Golf Premier League (GPL) does not seem to be happening next month as per schedule. The buzz is that organizers are in the process of taking the event overseas.

The golf event, which started with much fanfare in 2013, seems to have stumbled upon sponsor related issues this year. However, the organizers feel that the event should be held abroad to gain required success.

“We are currently looking at taking the golf premier league overseas and making it bigger and better,” said Shiv Kapur, ace golfer and one of the key organizer of the GPL.

Golf Premier League is the first league for golf, which took off at a positive note last year. First of its kind in India, it began on franchise based model. Each franchise had four golfers. These consisted of one international golfer, one Indian golfer, one from one Asian tour and one from golf tour of India. Players were purchased through auctions consisting of 32 international golfers. The inaugural league was played from 7 February to 10 February 2013 and also brought the practice of daytime and nighttime golf play. Uttarakhand Lions emerged as winners in the inaugural Tournament.

The eight teams, which took part in the first golf premier league were, Colombo Sixes, Delhi Darts, Gujarat Underdawgs, Maharashtra 59ers, Punjab Lancers, Subhkamna Uttar Pradesh Eagles,Tamil Nadu Pullees and Uttarkhand Lions. However, all remain silent on the discourse of event this year.

Shiv Kapur had indeed signaled the likelihood of tournament being moved abroad under the sloppy economic scenario in the country in major part of 2013.

“Now given the economic climate and the falling rupee we will have to take a long hard look at the viability of doing the event in India. however, it is a decision I will have to take along with team owners and sponsors and see what their views are on taking the league outside of India,” Shiv had said in an interview to golfingindian.com.