A new dawn? Indian Golf League...

[vkurup]

From a news article here. India puts a new spin on golf similar to the IPL/T20... thoughts? Will Clarke be the new Kevin Pieterson of golf?

A franchisee-based golf league, with some of the world's top golfers in attendance is all set for the first week of February 2013 at the Aamby Valley Golf Course, India. Darren Clarke and Angel Cabrera may be among four major winners who will be teeing off in a format that is modelled on the country's Twenty20 cricket league. Brainchild of Indian golfer Shiv Kapur, this $400,000 event will take place in a shortened 14-hole round of golf. The league could also feature former US Open champion Michael Campbell, 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem, Englishman David Howell and Asian Tour stalwart Thaworn Wiratchant.

"It would be a great opportunity for the local players to team up with some of the big names. It would be an experience they would cherish for the rest of their life."

The inaugural league is scheduled to begin on 8-10 February on a course near Mumbai and will feature two day-night rounds of strokeplay, followed by the third and final round of best-ball format.

The teams comprising four golfers, both local and international, and a player auction is scheduled to take place later this month.

 

[Rooter]

Sounds interesting! I am sure he purists will hate it, however it it gets people and money into the game it can't be all bad IMHO.

Did you read about how they are trying to jazz up ping pong? I think the first big tournament kicks off his weekend at the ally pally with loud music, lights etc and the players given equipment that slows the game for a better viewing spectacle...

 

[vkurup]

Did you read about how they are trying to jazz up ping pong? I think the first big tournament kicks off his weekend at the ally pally with loud music, lights etc and the players given equipment that slows the game for a better viewing spectacle...

Just shows what 'new' money is doing to various sport.. After cricket and Formula 1, India has announced a premier league for hockey, badminton, golf and wrestling this year and potentially Football. Hadnt heard about ping-pong; though i would have thought China would do ping-pong better than India

 

[DappaDonDave]

Great idea getting all those millionaires to fly their jets to one of the most poorest countries in the world...why not start the Baghdad open or Syrian Matchplay!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I like the concept of shortening the rounds to 14 holes.

I think golf would be more popular if they played it on 12 hole courses.

 

[vkurup]

More news here, including the team names (some r funny)

Taking a leaf out of cricket’s Indian Premier League, a shorter and quicker version of golf is set to make its debut when the inaugural Golf Premier League tees off at the Aamby Valley near Pune early next month.

Carrying a purse of $400,000, the GPL will have 32 players in all, including Major champions Angel Cabrera, Darren Clarke, Michael Campbell and Rich Beem. The star-studded field also includes a host of European, Asian and Indian stars, who will be bid for by eight franchisees under the team salary cap of $150,000 each. The teams will have four players each.

Golfers taking part in the competition will be categoried under four sections — international stars, international Indian stars, Asian Tour stars and PGTI stars. The auction for the International and Indian stars will be held later this month.

A brainchild of Shiv Kapur, a regular on the European Tour, and Neeraj Sareen, a former amateur golfer, the event will be played on a stroke-playcum-best-ball format over three days with three hours of play each day, and each round played over 14 holes.

The first two days will be day-night competitions.

Said Kapur, “I have been a sport junkie and have been following club competitions in different sports. So I decided to try something similar in golf.” Ashok Kumar said, “the event will elevate the sport to a different level”.

The five franchises finalised so far are Delhi Darts, Gujarat Underdawgs, Shubhkamna Eagles, Tamil Nadu Pulis, Colombo Sixers — owned by Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene.

STAR ATTRACTIONS THE INTERNATIONAL LEGENDS: Angel Cabrera, Darren Clarke, Michael Campbell, Rich Beem, Johan Edfors, David Howell THE INTERNATIONAL INDIANS: Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, Daniel Chopra, Anirban Lahiri, Chiragh Kumar ASIAN SUPERSTARS: Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat, Scott Hend and Jason Knutzon. PGTI STARS: Shamim Khan, Rashid Khan, Gaurav Ghei, Ashok Kumar, Sri Lanka's Mithun Perera



http://www.deccanchronicle.com/1301...emiere-league-worlds-best-tee-ipl-style-event

 

[User 105]

Interesting idea. Sounds more like the type of thing that is done for 1 off 'fun' events rather than a serious competition.

Like the idea of a shorter course. Might stop my usual blow up on 16, 17 and 18

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Sounds interesting! I am sure he purists will hate it, however it it gets people and money into the game it can't be all bad IMHO.

Did you read about how they are trying to jazz up ping pong? I think the first big tournament kicks off his weekend at the ally pally with loud music, lights etc and the players given equipment that slows the game for a better viewing spectacle...

Ping Pong? Don't you mean Wiff Waff?

 

[vkurup]

..why not start the Baghdad open

They thought about it, but it was full of bunkers.... <sorry could not help that>

 

[MegaSteve]

Think the Indians themselves are more worried about the disaster area that is their cricket team, at present, rather than have a care on any form of golf...

 

[vkurup]

Think the Indians themselves are more worried about the disaster area that is their cricket team at present rather than have a care on any form of golf...

MegaS... dont think so.. with the Indian cricketers scoring like golfer, I think it will be an easy transition for them..

 

[Foxholer]

Think the Indians themselves are more worried about the disaster area that is their cricket team, at present, rather than have a care on any form of golf...

There are some with bigger worries!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/20913298