Kochi, 03-03-2015

PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf & Country Club returns for its second edition

Prize purse raised to Rs. 55 lakh

Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chikkarangappa, Rahil Gangjee, Shankar Das, Shubhankar Sharma to lead a strong field

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), ‘the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India’, returns to Kochi for the second edition of the PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf & Country Club. The tournament, which carries an enhanced prize purse of Rs. 55 lakh, will be staged from March 4 – 7, 2015, at the magnificent CIAL Golf & Country Club in Kochi. The Pro-Am event will be played on March 8, 2015.

The tournament will feature some of the top names of Indian professional golf such as Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chikkarangappa, Rahil Gangjee, reigning Rolex Rankings champion Shankar Das, defending champion Shubhankar Sharma, Shamim Khan, Chiragh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Harendra Gupta, Amardip Sinh Malik, Om Prakash Chouhan, Angad Cheema, Abhijit Singh Chadha and Khalin Joshi, to name a few. The field will also feature professionals from overseas such as N Thangaraja (Sri Lanka), K Prabagaran (Sri Lanka), Anura Rohana (Sri Lanka), Kunal Bhasin (Australia) and Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (Bangladesh).

Mr. V. J. Kurian, I.A.S, Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Limited, said, “The inaugural PGTI Cochin Masters last year gave us a great opportunity to showcase the CIAL Golf and Country Club. It was the first big event after the completion of CGCC’s 18-hole course. The greens are settled now. Big tournaments such as All South India Addicts have brought in accolades for the lay-out of the course. Lawn Bowling event of the just concluded National Games was also held at CGCC. Our newly constructed Driving Range is attracting both Golfers and non Golfers. As part of popularizing this game, we have started a Golf academy and organized a Golf Clinic at CGCC. India’s leading golfer Anirban Lahiri and last year’s PGTI Cochin Masters champion Shubhankar Sharma have expressed their satisfaction for the greens. We are confident that this time the PGTI players will enjoy even better playing conditions.”

Announcing the event, Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We are delighted to return to Kochi for the second edition of the PGTI Cochin Masters presented by CIAL Golf & Country Club. A strong field, an enhanced prize purse and perfect playing conditions at the CGCC course make for a riveting week of golf. The PGTI Cochin Masters is a major stepping stone for us to further popularize the sport of golf in Kerala in partnership with the CIAL.”

The CIAL Golf & Country Club (CGCC) has been developed on 130 acres of rolling greens. CGCC is designed to play to a length of over 7400 yards and is the only 18-hole golf course in Kerala. CGCC is an eco-friendly all weather golf course that is comparable to the best. It is the first course in the country to offer an island green on the 18th hole for a very exciting and challenging round of golf.



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