Srinagar, Aug 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday announced that the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) J&K Open will now be held annually, with plans to establish the Union Territory as India’s premier golfing destination.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the DP World PGTI J&K Open at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani described hosting the prestigious tournament as a major milestone for golf in Jammu and Kashmir.
Wani said the Royal Springs Golf Course has earned recognition as one of the country’s finest venues for professional golf and expressed confidence that the tournament would become a permanent fixture on the PGTI calendar.
“We will make it an annual event. The PGTI and DP World tournament will be held here every year. We are committed to strengthening the event by attracting more golfers, increasing prize money if required and securing greater sponsorship support. From now on, the first week of August will be reserved for the J&K Open,” he said.
The Advisor said the government is also working towards hosting bigger golf championships in the future to further elevate the sport in the Union Territory.
Announcing another major initiative, Wani said the government plans to establish a world-class golf academy in Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with DP World to nurture young talent.
He said the academy would make the sport accessible to school and college students, ensuring that aspiring golfers are not limited by financial constraints or the need to train outside the region.
“Our aim is to open golf to everyone. We want children from schools and colleges to learn and excel in the sport. In partnership with DP World, we hope to establish a world-class golf academy before the next edition of the tournament,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s vision, Wani urged the PGTI to allot one of its marquee tournaments to Jammu and Kashmir in the coming season, saying it would help position the Union Territory as the golf capital of India, with the Royal Springs Golf Course emerging as the crown jewel of the country’s golfing circuit.
