India adds spice to the European Seniors Tour schedule

The majestic Jaypee Greens Golf Resort at Greater Noida will host the inaugural event, which will carry a prize fund of £300,000 and is co-sanctioned by the European Seniors Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India.

The announcement of the Indian Senior Masters sets the seal on 2008 being somewhat of a watershed year for the development of golf in India, with the country hosting its first European Tour events in February and March 2008.

Renowned for its prime location in Greater Noida, an upcoming metropolis on the outskirts of Delhi, the 7,347 yard par 72 Jaypee Greens course boasts 14 lakes, 88 bunkers and over 10,000 trees.

Established as the first of the Great White Shark s Greg Norman Signature Venues in India, the meticulously manicured greens and fairways at Jaypee Greens combine to create a very naturalized and private space free from the heat, dust and hustle and bustle of the outside world . Recently awarded the Best Golf Development India at the CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards, Jaypee Greens is a natural partner for hosting the European Seniors Tour in India.

Abhilash.K.R of Tournament Promoters ARC Sports Management said: It is our endeavour to raise the awareness and development of the sport of golf in India. With the help of the European Seniors Tour, we can facilitate this broadening of the game s appeal and encourage greater participation by bringing the legends of golf to play in The Indian Senior Masters. The event will provide a friendly and interactive atmosphere for everyone and will quickly establish its place in the Indian golfing calendar.

Mrs. Rita V. Dixit, Jaypee Greens observed Golfing in India is gaining a lot of popularity in the global golfing circuit with the coming up of new golf courses, better techniques of training, new sponsors and more prize money. The prestigious European Seniors Tour is coming to India for the first time and will be held at Jaypee Greens which is by far the best golf course in the country. This tour will be yet another great opportunity for Jaypee Greens to showcase it s world class facilities and growing reputation.

European Seniors Tour professionals and a number of prominent local Indian professionals and amateurs will tee off together in the 54 hole Championship, with the local amateur contingent being led by India s famous 1983 Cricket World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev. I am really looking forward to playing in a professional tournament with some of golf s great names on home ground here in India. I am sure it will be a tremendous experience for all of us and I hope that I can play my part in helping these golfing legends enjoy their trip to Delhi and working towards the overall goal of popularising golf in this country said Kapil.

Mr. Gautam Thapar, President, The Professional Golf Tour of India ( PGTI ), said, With India becoming the new staging ground for the prestigious European Seniors Tour, this is a proud moment for all of us at the PGTI. We are confident that this association will help to establish the Indian Senior Masters as one of the Tour s premium tournaments.

Charles Perring, Deputy Managing Director of the European Seniors Tour, said: India has a long-established golfing tradition that dates back to 1829, and we re delighted to be bringing the European Seniors Tour to India for the first time this year and to be playing at the auspicious Jaypee Greens Golf Resort.

We look forward to working with our Promoters, ARC Sports Management, on establishing the Indian Senior Masters as one of the key tournaments of the year, and wish to give particular thanks to the Professional Golf Tour of India for their support and enthusiasm for this exciting initiative.

On behalf of all our respective members, we look forward to visiting this vibrant and colorful city in October and to playing our part in showcasing the game of golf across the country.

The Indian Seniors Masters is the latest addition to the 2008 European Seniors Tour Schedule. There are currently 19 tournaments on the schedule, carrying a combined prize fund of approximately 9 million or USD 14 million.

For an up-to-date tournament list, visit the website at www.europeantour.com.