Bangalore, 28-10-2014
LEADING NAMES ON PGTI TO LOCK HORNS WITH TOP GOLFERS ON ASIAN DEVELOPMENT TOUR AT INAUGURAL TAKE SOLUTIONS INDIA MASTERS
Two-time European Tour winner SSP Chowrasia as well as leading Indian golfers Chikkarangappa S, Khalin Joshi and Shubhankar Sharma, all winners on the PGTI, will lead the Indian challenge at the inaugural TAKE Solutions India Masters, the first Asian Development Tour event to be staged in India. The tournament will be played from October 29 to November 1 at the Eagleton Golf Resort near Bangalore.
The curtain raiser of the tournament, the Pro-Am event was won by Bengalore’s Chikkarangappa S and his team comprising of Mr. Virender Razdan, Mr. Tarun Kunjru and Mr. Arjun Srivatsava today with nett score of 51.5. Another Bangalore golfer R. Murthy helped his team finish second which comprised of amateurs Mr. Dhananjay Naidu, Mr. Sunny Ahuja and Mr. L Darshan with the nett score of 51.6.
While the Indian contingent looks strong, Niall Turner of Ireland and American Brett Munson, placed 3rd and 4th on the current ADT Order of Merit, will be the top contenders from overseas at the US$ 70,000 event.
The launch of the TAKE Solutions India Masters will raise the 2014 ADT schedule to an unprecedented 21 tournaments, which includes 12 tournaments in Malaysia, three in Chinese Taipei, three in the Philippines and two in Indonesia.
The latest addition on the ADT will also provide another opportunity for players, especially from India, to boost their ADT rankings. With only three events remaining this season, players will have everything to play for as the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit will earn the coveted Asian Tour cards for 2015.
Chowrasia, who sits at the 11th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit following four top-five finishes on the premier Tour this season, is glad to throw his support behind the TAKE Solutions India Masters, which he deemed as a positive development for golf in India.
SSP Chowrasia said, “It’s very good for Indian golf as it creates a new playing opportunity. I’m happy to support this new tournament by playing in it as it is a wonderful effort towards the growth of the game. I’m looking forward to competing with my best efforts and await an exciting conclusion at the end of the week.”
Khalin Joshi who won the PGTI Players Championship at Noida Golf Course last week, is also eager to step up his game at his first ADT event this week. “Being the first ADT event in India, I have great expectations and I'm really looking forward to it. I believe that this is a step ahead for India as it gives Indian players a chance to play alongside other golfers from Asia which will in turn will help us learn and improve our game,” said 22-year-old Joshi.
Munson, who has been battling with a poor run of form recently, hopes to turn his fortunes around as he chases his second ADT victory this week. “I haven’t been doing anything very well recently. My ball striking has been a little off and my putting was poor but I have been practising a lot and I am looking forward to this week,” said the 28-year-old Munson.
“The season’s been good so far. I had a good start to the season with my first ADT win in Malaysia and I’ve played pretty solid in most of the events. My aim is to remain in top-five on the merit rankings till the end of the season so as to secure my Asian Tour card for 2015,” added Munson, who is playing in his first year in Asia.
Turner, who has enjoyed a good season on the ADT with one victory and four top-10s, sang praises for the burgeoning Tour as he relishes the opportunity to return to India once again.
“I am really looking forward to competing in India again. I played the Indian open in Bangalore in 2012 and really enjoyed the week. It's great that the ADT has an event in India. The tour has grown from strength to strength and to have an event in India is very positive going forward,” said the 31-year-old Irishman.
“I will try and continue with what I have been doing for the last few months. All parts of my game have been functioning very well and I will be targeting a high finish in India to lock up my place in the top-five of the merit rankings,” added Turner.
Srinivasan HR, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TAKE Solutions said: “We are delighted to launch the inaugural TAKE Solutions India Masters which is the very first ADT event in India. We are very honoured to be involved with the ADT for the first time and we look forward to welcoming the region’s rising stars to the tournament. As the ADT is the gateway to the Asian Tour, we hope our tournament will provide the opportunity for Indian players to fast-track their careers. We look forward to a very successful tournament this week. I am very confident that our partnership with the Asian Tour and PGTI will benefit the sport in India.”
Shahid Sen, Commercial Director, Asian Development Tour, said: “Our vision is to grow the game in Asia and we are excited to have first ever ADT event in India this week. This gives Indian players an opportunity to earn valuable world ranking points with the Olympics coming in 2016.”
Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said: “The TAKE Solutions India Masters will provide valuable exposure to Indian professionals as they compete against emerging players from other countries. This event also gives our players the opportunity to earn crucial world ranking points that will enable them to compete on higher tours in the future.”
The ADT was launched by the Asian Tour in 2010 with five tournaments and grew to 16 events in 2013, and currently stands at 21 events for the 2014 season. Since last year, all ADT events also receive an Official World Golf Ranking points which is tremendous for the development of the game across the region.
About TAKE Solutions
TAKE Solutions, Ltd. [BSE: 532890 | NSE: TAKE] is a premier Life Sciences (LS) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) technology company. TAKE provides cost effective and comprehensive solutions for enterprises across diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, high technology, consumer packaged goods, oil/gas, and automotive. TAKE’s SCM product suite includes distinct technology with embedded IP that spans enterprise mobility, trading partner collaboration, and material tracking. In the LS domain, TAKE offers IP-based software and extensive knowledge-based solutions to enable efficient clinical, regulatory, safety and commercialization processes. TAKE has been recognized as a ‘Leader’ in IDC Health Insights’ “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science Drug Safety Services 2013 Vendor Assessment”. TAKE’s global headquarters is in Chennai, India; its U.S. headquarters is located in Princeton, New Jersey. TAKE has a proven track record as a trusted partner in delivering world-class solutions to more than 400 customers worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.takesolutions.com.
About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
