Chandigarh hosts golf tournament to promote the sport

Chandigarh, Jan 7(ANI): The Chandigarh Golf Association recently organized the fifth Chandigarh Golfing Tour in association with tourism departments of Chandigarh, which saw the participation of over 113 non-residential Indians (NRIs) from 12 countries.

The objective of the tournament was to attract NRIs by showing them the excellent golfing facilities available in the city.

"When they come back, they are close to the roots, they feel connected and also they catch up with all their friends out here and the family and I think it's a great time to come home too because winters are perfect in India and especially Chandigarh," said Jeev Milkha Singh, a golfer.

"The atmosphere and the golfing scene is growing so much in our country that I think when people like all the NRIs who come down to participate and make the effort. I think it makes us happy and also we welcome them and also we want them to enjoy and make the most out of it,' he added.

The NRI Punjabis had a gala time in the tournament, as for these amateur golfers, it was much more than a sporting event as they shared old memories, met friends and relatives and experienced an emotional homecoming.

For Prabhjot Singh Dhanoa, an NRI from Toronto in Canada, the tour was a pleasant break from his fast-paced life abroad.

"This is a good way of connecting back home and being a golfer, this is a perfect opportunity, nice weather, utilizing the time of Christmas holidays coming back, meeting old and new friends and so motivation was just people are coming from all over the world, so meet different people, have different opinion and have fun," Dhanoa said.

Meanwhile, C.S. R. Reddy, President of the Chandigarh Golf Association, said that it was a wonderful opportunity for the young NRIs to relax and enjoy while playing the game.

"Playing on different courses is a different challenge. Players who play other games, they hardly look for their own game, but here its different challenge,"

Reddy further said that golf is a rich man's game and the interest shown by the youngsters proclaim the prosperity that they have achieved.

"NRIs are doing very well in their respective countries, and the second generation NRIs are especially doing very well and they have taken up to golf, that's a big indication that they are prosperous and they can move around the world and why not go back to India and play golf," he added.

For most of the second-generation expatriates, a visit to Punjab is a moment to cherish.

The three-day event held at courses in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Chandimandir really proved to be a fabulous five-star retreat for the special guests and the success of the event clearly indicates that more such golfing tours should be held to attract tourists to Chandigarh. By Sunil Sharma(ANI)