The inaugural HUDA-GTPL-Unitech Haryana Open Golf Championship will be played under the auspices of the Professional Golf Tour of India from November 26 to November 29 at the Panchkula Golf Club, Sector 3. The main tournament will be preceded by the PRO-AM event that will be played on Tuesday Announcing a press conference at the club on Monday, DS Dhesi, IAS and vice president of Panchkula Golf Club said more than 100 golfers will take part in the event. "A total of 124 golfers will take part in the championship out of which 31 golfers are professionals and 93 are amateur golfers. The design, layout and good condition of the golf course will provide ample opportunities to challenge the golfing prowess of the players and allow those in peak form to score well and demonstrate their excellence and golf proficiency. Also present during the pres conference was Padamjit Sandhu, business head, PGTI who sounded confident of awarding more tournaments to the golf club in the future. "PGTI is committed towards developing the game through out the country especially North India. We are confident that over the years we will be able to develop this tournament into a prestigious event on the Professional Golf Tour of India." Brigadier I S Punia, general manager of the club said golf club is aiming to improve their standards. "The details of approved projects to be undertaken and completed in the next 6 - 12 month period include the addition of an all weather swimming pool, upgrading the golf course by installation of auto-irrigation sprinkler systems, purchase of new turf management machines & equipment and appointment of a specialised consultant to help refine the layout after shifting of the unauthorized encroachments in and around the golf course. Lighting would also be provided at the driving range and to cover the areas of the 9th and 18th hole greens" said Punia. The tournament will feature a strong field that will include the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Ganapathy, Gaganjeet Bhullar, C Muniyappa, Shamim Khan and Vijay Kumar, to name a few, who will be challenged by local stalwarts such as Harendra Gupta, Harmeet Kahlon, Gurbaaz Mann, Uttam Singh Mundy, Sujjan Singh and Ajeetesh Sandhu.
