The two day golf tournament ‘Golfing in Paradise’ concluded here at Royal Springs Golf Course on Sunday afternoon which saw participation of over 100 golfers from the country besides 40 local golfers.
Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar who was the chief guest on the concluding function gave away awards to winners and the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the government will promote golf in a big way by organizing more such tournaments.
He appreciated the golfers for visiting Kashmir along with their families to play golf.
“We are happy at the successful completion of this golf tournament and we will not let this momentum go away. We will organize more such tournaments to bring more golfers to this place,” said the minister.
While appealing the participants to be the ambassadors of Kashmir, Naeem Akhtar asked them to visit Kashmir again and play golf here.
“We have a complete golf circuit in J&K which are being maintained constantly. We want you to visit here, play on our courses and promote them. Without you, our wonderful golf courses are of no use,” he said while addressing the golfers.
Secretary Tourism M H Malik who was also present on the occasion said Kashmir is not what is shown on the television channels.
“You must have realized that Kashmir is not what you may have seen on TV. We appeal you to narrate your experiences to your fellows back home,” said Malik.
He said J&K has world class golf course which can host international tournaments.
“We have beautiful golf courses at beautiful locations which are of international standards. We need your support by playing on our courses so that we can also hold international level tournaments here,” said Malik.
He said golfing is emerging as the best tourism attraction for any place.
“We already have well maintained golf courses. These tournaments will help us put J&K at the international map of golf tourism,” he said.
The notable participants in the tournament include India’s one of the top golfers Shiv Kapoor who is two time Asian tour winner.
Other personalities include Former Chief of Army Staff and Governor Gen J J Singh, Director General of Police Chandigarh Tajender Singh Luthra, Owner of Sara Group D P Singh, Owner of Kohinoor Gorup Gurnam Arora, and Owner of Silver Glides Peadeep Jain. The golfers are also accompanied by their families.
Speaking on the occasion Shiv Kappoor said he had heard about Kashmir and about golf courses and had high expectations.
“I was blown away by the beautiful golf courses here. I have played in most of the golf courses in Asia and other European countries but the golf courses here have natural settings which are complemented with the perfect weather conditions. Whatever I expectations I had, the golf courses here are beyond that,” he said.
He said state government has great assets in such course which can easily host world level golf tournaments.
On the first day, the tournament was played at Pahalgm Golf Course
Owner of the Sara Group DP Singh also spoke on the occasion and hailed the department for organizing the tournament.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah, MD JKTDC Sarmad Hafeez, MD Golf Development Authority CEO Pahalgam Development Authority Mushtaq Simnani, Deputy Director Tourism Riyaz Beigh and Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) Peerzada Zahoor, were President J&K Golf Association Mushtaq Burza also present at the prize distribution ceremony today.
Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar who was the chief guest on the concluding function gave away awards to winners and the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the government will promote golf in a big way by organizing more such tournaments.
He appreciated the golfers for visiting Kashmir along with their families to play golf.
“We are happy at the successful completion of this golf tournament and we will not let this momentum go away. We will organize more such tournaments to bring more golfers to this place,” said the minister.
While appealing the participants to be the ambassadors of Kashmir, Naeem Akhtar asked them to visit Kashmir again and play golf here.
“We have a complete golf circuit in J&K which are being maintained constantly. We want you to visit here, play on our courses and promote them. Without you, our wonderful golf courses are of no use,” he said while addressing the golfers.
Secretary Tourism M H Malik who was also present on the occasion said Kashmir is not what is shown on the television channels.
“You must have realized that Kashmir is not what you may have seen on TV. We appeal you to narrate your experiences to your fellows back home,” said Malik.
He said J&K has world class golf course which can host international tournaments.
“We have beautiful golf courses at beautiful locations which are of international standards. We need your support by playing on our courses so that we can also hold international level tournaments here,” said Malik.
He said golfing is emerging as the best tourism attraction for any place.
“We already have well maintained golf courses. These tournaments will help us put J&K at the international map of golf tourism,” he said.
The notable participants in the tournament include India’s one of the top golfers Shiv Kapoor who is two time Asian tour winner.
Other personalities include Former Chief of Army Staff and Governor Gen J J Singh, Director General of Police Chandigarh Tajender Singh Luthra, Owner of Sara Group D P Singh, Owner of Kohinoor Gorup Gurnam Arora, and Owner of Silver Glides Peadeep Jain. The golfers are also accompanied by their families.
Speaking on the occasion Shiv Kappoor said he had heard about Kashmir and about golf courses and had high expectations.
“I was blown away by the beautiful golf courses here. I have played in most of the golf courses in Asia and other European countries but the golf courses here have natural settings which are complemented with the perfect weather conditions. Whatever I expectations I had, the golf courses here are beyond that,” he said.
He said state government has great assets in such course which can easily host world level golf tournaments.
On the first day, the tournament was played at Pahalgm Golf Course
Owner of the Sara Group DP Singh also spoke on the occasion and hailed the department for organizing the tournament.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah, MD JKTDC Sarmad Hafeez, MD Golf Development Authority CEO Pahalgam Development Authority Mushtaq Simnani, Deputy Director Tourism Riyaz Beigh and Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) Peerzada Zahoor, were President J&K Golf Association Mushtaq Burza also present at the prize distribution ceremony today.
