Golf: India set for IPL-inspired golf league

Organisers hope the ‘snappy’ format will attract new fans to the sport.

NEW DELHI: A team-based golf event inspired by cricket’s Indian Premier League and starring a host of major winners tees off today, with organisers hoping the ‘snappy’ format will attract new fans to the sport.

British Open winner Darren Clarke and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, are among those taking part in the Golf Premier League franchise at the Aamby Valley golf course near the western Indian city of Pune over three days.

The televised $400,000 floodlit tournament will feature eight teams of four players battling it out over three stroke play rounds of 14 holes, rather than the four rounds of 18 holes seen in most tour events.

Each team will comprise two players who have made a mark at international level, an Asian Tour star and an upcoming player, all selected at an auction held in Mumbai last month.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2013.