This December will present a unique opportunity for golf players to exhibit their skills, compete with luminaries in the sport and do their bit for charitable causes in the process.
In an attempt to raise the competitiveness among golf players, and provide a common ground for lovers of the sport, the Rotary Club of Madras has been organising the annual corporate gulf tournament for three years now. This year, however, the event scheduled on December 16, is attempting a return to a glorious tradition.
“We are modelling it on the famous Merchants & Bankers golf tournament that, in Kolkata, is played over a month, engaging nearly 600 players,” said Ravi Katari, chairman, Golf Committee, Rotary Club of Madras.
Such a tournament was also played in the city before it was discontinued a few years ago. This time, the committee members of the Merchant & Bankers golf tournament are also involved in the tournament.
The Hindu which used to host The Hindu open, a premier event for golfers till a few years ago, will also be associated with the event. “The golfing tournament will have more content this year. We had nearly 100 entries last year, but we are expecting much more this time. It can be a two-day event too, if required,” said Mr. Katari.
“We need more golf courses to project India as an international tourist destination,” says Virender Razdan, general manager, Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers, associated with the hospitality sponsorship for the event. Anjan Rangaraj, managing director, Cedilla Communications, Catalyst Properties, title sponsor for the event, says the event would not only help popularise golf but also further a cause of charity.
There is a lot of room for improvement in Chennai. One decent golf course is not enough, said P.N. Mohan, from the fund raising committee of the club, speaking about the long pending memberships and difficulties faced by gold players to get a slot.
The announcement of the The Hindu -The Rotary Club of Madras Merchants & Bankers golf tournament is an open invitation to nearly 1,000 golf players in the city, including the ones in government services, commercial establishments and armed forces.
The funds collected from the event will be used for a number of charitable causes, particularly those focussing on adult women's literacy. “We plan to start with certain areas in Gummidipundi and a slum near St. Mary's Lane in Chennai,” said Nandita Krishnan, president, Rotary Club of Madras.
Rotarians Nalini Radhakrishnan and Yashwant Srinath, and secretary of the club, K. Rajan also participated in the event held to announce the tournament.
The event will be managed by Media Mix. Contact Anish Iyer for registration, Ph: 98849 60493, 044 24527941.
