Jan 30, 2013. Tiger Woods is coming to India and he has chosen his first trip as a private visit. A quiet jet will fly him into the country in the wee hours of Feb 3rd and he will play an only by-invite round of golf with select people at the Delhi Golf Club on 4th morning before he flies out.
It’s interesting to see he has chosen Delhi Golf Club as the first course to play on. Anything at DGC is unlikely to remain a private event as the galleries the course invites are huge. It’s an important milestone for India even though he isn’t playing an official event on Indian soil. There is nothing like a booster for a sport where the top reigning golfer comes to show the strength of the game, encourage youngsters and play in a course that has produced a large number of golfers.
“I think it’s going to be really motivating especially to all the young golfers. I think most of us look at him as our inspiration and to really see him here live is going to be insane,” says female pro Neha Tripathi.
For India’s upcoming golfers, who are still waiting for their cards to play the European and other big tours, this opportunity is nothing short of huge. This means a lot to those who have entered the sport seeing Tiger’s popularity.
In India golf has picked up but yet awaits its turn after cricket and other sports. We have seen corporate support but not enough has yet pumped up the popularity of the sport. Golf has got a little spotlight thanks to some cricketers joining the game, including the recently retired Sachin Tendulkar. The game also had a big of set back during 2013 when India’s only European Tour event Avantha Masters was withdrawn due to poor economic conditions and a dwindling Indian currency. Tiger’s arrival should signal that golf is still in the game. And for India that reinstating should be key.
“It will get the world attention to Indian Golf !!! We should make the most of it in terms of publicity and promoting Indian Players,” shares Nikki Ponappa who plays on the Women’s Pro Tour.
