Second edition of India Golf Expo, Day-2 concludes today

The first-of-its-kind Golf Industry trade show, India Golf Expo that focusses on rapidly growing potential of Indian Golf industry and brings forth the huge opportunities for its growth concluded its second successful day today. Organized by Images Group and promoted by the Indian Golf Industry Association, the three-day event is being held at the Oxford Golf and Country Club in Mulshi. The event is sanctioned by the Indian Golf Union, and supported / endorsed by key agencies like the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, Maharashtra Tourism, Professional Golfers Association of India (PGAI), Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) and many others.

The second day witnessed fruitful discussions, insights, knowledge and practical guidance for Golf developers, Golf Course managers, Golf Equipments etc. and special knowledge series like Master classes and Workshops. This unique event has great significance not just for the development of the sport, but the economy and the environment too. Many neighbouring countries earn a significant part of their GDP directly or indirectly fro Golf Tourism. Thanks to initiatives like this one, India is also waking up to the rich potential of Golf Tourism, and this movement will get a further impetus with the presence of Brandon de Souza, Tiger Sports Management, Campbell Elliot, Oxford Management and Mark Brayshaw, ClubLinks.

The event kick started with a panel discussion on Setting up management structure where the Panelists including exchanged their views on the need of setting up a management structure in place for a country with a high ratio of HNIs and golf tourists.

Highlighting the exponential growth of Golf tourism in India, a panel discussion on Incredible India and Golf Tourism was held where Rajan Seghal, President, Indian Golf Tourism said “Golfers come to India to enjoy the climate and to enjoy the food and hospitality. We have among the most beautiful and picturesque golf courses in the country. We are working with the Government to create a website which will be a complete golf directory and will be operational shortly. We are looking at making golfing in India a world class experience for tourists.” Panelists for this session included Subhash Goyal, President, Indian Assoc of Tour Operators, Greesh Bindra, VP, Surya Hotel and Henry Moses, Country Head, Qatar Airways.

Mr. Vineet Shukla, Head of India Business, WSP Consulting Engineers, who was also the part of panel discussion comments “Sooner or later we will see Incredible India being pushed as a golfing destination which will definitely benefit us all. Along with providing luxurious golfing infrastructure, the staff and other people are being trained to know what exactly a golfer wants”.

Two other discussions including a session on WATER FOR RESIDENTIAL / RESORT PROJECTS & GOLF and SITE PLANNING FOR GOLF & GOLF CONSTRUCTION where the penal seemed optimistic about the future of Golf in India and discussed about the requirements and demographic needs for a brighter future of Golf in India. The panelists include Kevin Ramsey, Golfplan, Mohan Subramanian from Rain Bird, Sunil Khanna from Toro where they discussed issues like water needs for Residential and upcoming Resort projects, environment maintenance and better utilization of fertilizers and equipments for the booming golf development in India.

This unique knowledge brought forth the key factors that can trigger the dynamic growth of Golf, and showed the way for the successful expansion of the Golf industry

The 3 day event includes a conference and an exhibition featuring products and services, master classes, demonstrations and even a tournament for participants.