BENGALURU: The Golf Industry Association (GIA) announced the 7th Annual India Golf Expo here during a curtain raiser at the Karnataka Golf Association.
The two-day India Golf Expo will be held from April 19-20 at the Lalit Ashok and will bring together experts from different domains, drawn from across the globe to share knowledge and best practices for the development and sustenance of the sport in the country. Bengaluru is the second largest golfing destination in the country and this exposition will mark the second time that the city hosted the India Golf Expo since its launch here seven years ago.
This year’s expo will also include information the development of India as a golf tourism destination, the commercials involved in building a golf course and the know-how to market the golf course business to generate more revenue, among other topics.
Speaking on the occasion, Devang Shah, promoter – Navratna Group and president – GIA, said, “We are pleased to announce that a complete delegation from the R&A (the global ruling authority of golf along with USGA) will be attending the expo to present conference sessions on sustainability, course design and maintenance, strategic planning and generating better revenues in the business of golf. In addition, it is our pleasure to introduce the very first ‘Builders Cup’ that will be competed for during the expo. This cup is open solely to real estate developers from across South Asia.”
Speaking via video link from ‘St Andrews’, Steve Isaac, director of Golf Course Management, The R&A, commented: “Sustainability will be increasingly important for the sport of golf over the next 15 to 20 years and therefore it will be our subject of focus. Sustainability is relevant not only from the stand point of environmental impact but also cost implications. We will also touch upon other aspects around building the golf ecosystem in the country.”
Also commenting on the exposition, Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit, president, Indian Golf Union, added, “The India Golf Expo has become an important networking platform for various golf bodies and golf clubs to meet to chalk out the games future. We at IGU are delighted to support this Golf Industry Association initiative. If we all work together, we can take golf to greater heights in the years to come. IGU works closely with R&A and we are happy to note their participation in the India golf expo. We look forward to interacting with the delegates.”
GIA with its members drawn from the golf industry, real estate, travel & tourism and urban development sectors is a non-profit industry association whose aim is to build and promote the Indian golf industry. The exposition will comprise of a symposium, IGU turf care seminar, over 10,000 sq ft. of exhibition area, exclusive deals on equipment and apparel & industry awards and will also provide ample networking opportunities over lavish buffet lunches, industry dinners and entertainment, making IGE an exciting mix of golf and business.
