Hyderabad: Telangana is planning new world-class golf courses to promote Telangana golf tourism and attract golfers from India and abroad, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Saturday.
The State government plans a 130-acre course at Jawahar Nagar near Shamirpet. In addition, it is working on another world-class course at Somasila along the Krishna River.
These projects aim to provide international-standard golfing facilities. They are also intended to attract professional and amateur golfers from across the world.
The Minister announced the plans at a press conference held in connection with the 12th Telangana Golconda Masters at Hyderabad Golf Club, Golconda.
The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India is organising the tournament with the Hyderabad Golf Association. Telangana Tourism is supporting the event as the Event Partner.
Somasila project links golf with natural attractions
The proposed Somasila course will come up along a scenic stretch of the Krishna River. It will also be surrounded by the Nallamala forests and located near the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
Accordingly, Jupally said the setting offered an opportunity to create a distinctive golf tourism destination. The proposed development would bring together sport, nature and tourism.
Furthermore, private participation will form part of the project through the Public-Private Partnership model. The government will focus on developing facilities to international standards.
Once developed, Somasila is expected to strengthen Telangana’s position as a golf tourism hub.
Jupally also described the Telangana Golconda Masters as more than a sporting event. According to him, the tournament combines international golf with the State’s heritage and tourism potential.
He said Telangana’s attractions extend beyond Hyderabad. The State has lakes, forests, rivers, palaces and forts that offer varied tourism experiences.
Golconda Fort provides the backdrop for the tournament. Therefore, the Minister said the venue also showcased Telangana’s historical and cultural heritage.
The Hyderabad Golf Association, he added, offered a distinctive combination of sport and heritage. At the same time, international participation gave Telangana an opportunity to present its tourism potential to a global audience.
Kapil Dev support sought for tourism initiatives
Jupally said the Telangana Government wanted to utilise Kapil Dev’s experience for tourism and sports promotion.
He said his association with State initiatives could help take Telangana’s tourism attractions and sporting potential to wider national and international audiences.
Meanwhile, Kapil Dev appreciated Telangana Tourism’s continued support for the Telangana Golconda Masters. He said the tournament could promote Telangana and Hyderabad as golf tourism destinations.
He also thanked the Hyderabad Golf Association for providing the venue. Further, he expressed confidence that the tournament would provide a strong platform for competitive professional golf.
HGA Captain Jasvinder Singh Birgi welcomed the opportunity to host the 12th edition. He said the participation of leading professionals would allow HGA members to watch high-level competitive golf.
The tournament will also provide global exposure to the Hyderabad Golf Club course through a live telecast. Players will compete for the Golconda Fort Trophy.
132 golfers to compete for ₹1 crore
The Telangana Golconda Masters will be held from September 1 to 4. A total of 132 golfers will compete for a prize purse of ₹1 crore.
The field includes leading Indian professionals and overseas golfers. The tournament carries Official World Golf Ranking points.
It also forms part of the Race to DP World India Championship. Consequently, the event will contribute to determining the DP World PGTI No. 1 player.
The tournament will also determine the top 24 players who qualify for the season-ending DP World India Championship.
The Telangana Government has supported the tournament since its inception in 2015.
DP World PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl, Czech international golfer Stepan Danek, officials, sponsors, partners and participating golfers attended the programme.