Panchkula
20 December 2024
DIVYA AZAD
The Amateur Golfers Society (AGS) is set to host its 7th Amateur Golfers Society Golf Tournament, on December 22, at the Panchkula Golf Club(PGC).
Advocate Suresh K. Gupta, Founder Trustee of AGS; S.S. Prasad, a former IAS officer who was Ex Home Secretary, Government of Haryana and is currently Patron, Amateur Golfers Society and Tavleen Batra, a golf coach & Director(Events) AGS addressed the media at PGC to share details of the upcoming golf tournament.
Suresh K Gupta said, “As many as 96 amateur golfers which include 8 women golfers will show their golfing talent while competing in three handicap categories – 0-9, 9-16 and above 16. The tee-off time on Dec 22 will be at 7.30 am.”
S.S. Prasad said, “The golf tournaments organised by NGO are central to its efforts to nurture golfing talent in the Panchkula & Chandigarh capital region. To boost the golfers’ morale, the winners shall be given AGS trophies and all participants shall be felicitated. We will also announce overall winners in both the men’s and women’s categories.”
The 6th Edition of Amateur Golfers Society Golf Tournament was held on December 1 and the 7th Edition will be held on Dec 22. It was also announced that the 8th Edition will be organised on Feb 9, 2025 at PGC. On being asked about the motive behind holding tourneys in quick succession, Gupta said, “Tourney after tourney develops the culture of golf fast, and golfers are always on their toes working hard in the golf course to improve their game in order to do well in the next tournament. Seeing a flurry of golfing activity,new golfers are also joining the game. The purpose is to increase the number of golfers in tricity.”
At the press meet details of AGS’s mission to establish Panchkula as a premier golfing destination were also shared.
S K Gupta said, “We are going to set-up an Amateur Golf Range in Panchkula on 2.5 acres Land.
Not only the people from tricity ,but also from other parts of India and even abroad will be provided state-of-the-art golf training infrastructure with residential facilities within the premises of the Amatuer Golf range.”
Tavleen Batra said that the aim at the range will be to train 500 new golfers in a year. “We will have a 21-day fast track programme to train budding golfers,” she said.
Prasad added, “AGS has also sought government support. We have requested land from Haryana’s Chief Minister for the golf range and the honorable CM has shown interest in our vision and assured us of his support.”
Prasad said that AGS will not only develop a golf range in Panchkula ,but also has an ambitious plan to create golf ranges across all districts of Haryana.
S K Gupta said, “Our vision is to make India a global golfing destination with Panchkula and other districts of Haryana setting a benchmark in this regard. The plan is to provide golfing facilities along-with affordable living and exceptional food to those who want to learn this fascinating game.”
AGS asks Haryana government to resolve NHAI issue:
On being asked about National Highway Authority of India’s(NHAI’s) move to acquire land of PGC for building a road and bridge, S K Gupta said that NHAI is at an advanced stage in the process to acquire the land for construction of Road & Bridge, on the Panchkula Golf Club land. Hole numbers 1, 2,10,11, and 12 will get impacted , he said. This will reduce the Panchkula Golf Club from an 18 Hole to 13 holes course without a Golf Range.
Gupta also informed that AGS has raised concerns with CM Haryana over the NHAI project that may impact two acres of the Panchkula Golf Club, “The CM has assured for all the help resolve the matter,” he said.
