HERO HONDA BONANZA FOR WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL GOLF

New Delhi, August 1: Hero Honda, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer and one of the biggest corporate promoters of sports in India, will be the title sponsor of the Women’s Professional Golf Tour of India.

The Tour enters a new era with the fifth edition of the season bringing in a record number of 10 events and a brand new sponsor in Hero Honda this August. The Tour, which was established in 2006 will have 10 events carrying a prize purse of over Rs. 20 lakhs.

The first event will take place at Eagleton in Bengaluru. In all there will be two events in Bengaluru, three in NCR, one in Jaipur, two in Chandigarh and two in Kolkata. The Tour will travel through seven cities Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Panchkula, Chandigarh, Delhi and Kolkata and run from August to February.

Mrs. Kavita Singh, President of the WGAI, said, “It is indeed a great day for us as Hero Honda, one of the biggest supporters of sports in India have extended their helping hand to help the fledgling Women’s Professional Golf Tour grow in a big way. Their support this year and also in the coming years should see women’s golf take its rightful place as one of the growing avenues as a viable career for Indian sportswomen.”

From five events in the first year, the number of events, which have been around six to eight in the last three seasons, will grow to 10 for the first time this year. The Tour will also travel to Kolkata and Bengaluru for the first time this year.

In addition, there will also be cash prizes for the Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Putter of the Year.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director Hero Honda Motors, and a keen golfer himself said, “Hero Honda has always supported Indian sports. For us at Hero Honda, golf has been a big focus in addition to our commitment to other sporting disciplines such as cricket, hockey, football and the ongoing Queen’s Baton Relay and the forthcoming XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010. Women’s professional golf is in a nascent stage in the country and we hope our support will help it grow in popularity and become one of the leading sports in India.”

With more than two dozen players vying for the title and a total purse of Rs. 20 lakhs seasoned Simi Mehra will lead the way. Youngsters like Sharmila Nicollet, Nalini Singh and Saaniya Sharma are also expected to hold the spotlight. The competition among the women pros will intensify as some of the amateurs are expected to join the pro ranks after the Asian Games in November and the Queen Sirikit Cup after that.

“We are hoping to expand the Tour to more cities with greater number of tournaments in the coming seasons,” added Champika Sayal, Secretary-General of the WGAI.

The growth of women’s professional golf has seen sportswomen from other disciplines shift to golf in a very serious way. Maharastra’s Mita Gawande, a former gymnast, who has been playing the national amateur ladies golf circuit has turned pro, as has Priya Puri a former basketball player. The two took to golf a little over two years ago and have now turned professional.

Simi Mehra, a pioneer in women’s professional golf in India, said, “It is indeed an honor to have Hero Honda as our title sponsor. It is fantastic to have such global entities as part of our supporters and they are committed to seeing Women’s golf in India grow in leaps and bounds. "

Nalini Singh, promising young pro, added, “I am overjoyed to learn that Hero Honda has become the title sponsor for our tour. Its definitely going to give a boost to Women's Golf. I would like to thank them for their support.’

Sharmilla Nicollet, widely acknowledged as one of the most talented youngsters to have made the shift from amateur to pro ranks, said, “It is great to have corporates like Hero Honda backing the Women's Professional Golf Tour 2010-11. I would like to thank Hero Honda for the support and encouragement extended to the fledgling Indian ladies professional tour. As far as my own game is concerned, I have spent lot of time on training, with the close look at my swing and change of equipment, I hope to have a good season this year.”

On the administrative side, the WGAI has been strengthened by the induction of Nonita Lall Qureshi, who has now decided to devote herself to coaching and promoting women’s professional golf. She has decided to retire from professional tour golf and has been invited to join the prestigious board of the WGAI as an additional Vice President.”

While Hero Honda will be the title sponsors, the other leading co-sponsors will include Genpact and Graavaa.

The schedule for Hero Honda Women’s Professional Golf Tour of India 2010:

August 3-6, 1st Leg, Eagleton, Bengaluru
August 9-12, 2nd Leg, KGA, Bengaluru
Sept 13,15-17, 3rd Leg, DLF GCC, Gurgaon
Sept 21-24, 4th Leg, ITC Classic, Gurgaon
Sept 27-30, 5th Leg, Rambagh GC, Jaipur
Dec 9-12, 6th Leg, Panchkula GC, Panchkula
Dec 13-16, 7th Leg, Chandigarh GC, Chandigarh
Dec 20-23, 8th Leg, Qutab GC, Delhi
Feb 1-4, 9th Leg, Tollygunge Club, Kolkata
Feb 7-10, 10th Leg, RCGC, Kolkata