Golf tournament held in Chandigarh to promote tourism

Chandigarh, Dec.22 (ANI): In a bid to promote tourism, the Chandigarh Golf Association organized a golf tournament for non-resident Indians here.

As many as 113 non-resident Indians (NRIs) from across 12 countries took part in the recently concluded 5th Chandigarh Golfing Tournament, which lasted for three days.

The Centrally administered northern enclave of Chandigarh, which also serves as the capital of the northern states of Haryana and Punjab, has several golf courses, some of them being the best in the country. These include Chandigarh Golf Club, Chandi Mandir Golf Course, Punchkula Golf Course, and the one managed by the Chandigarh Golf Association.

Promoters of the game say, Chandigarh offers a cost-effective venue for playing golf, as compared to any of the major golf hubs in the world. For a large number of expatriates visiting the region, a golf tour would be an added attraction.

D.K. Tiwari, Managing Director, Chandigarh Industrial Tourism Corporation, said that now Chandigarh was attracting a lot of people thanks to the introduction of golf.

"See, CITCO (Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation Limited) promoted tourism through its various outlets. Through its hotels, we have been encouraging tourists to visit Chandigarh. Now golf attracts a lot of people," said Tiwari.

The golf courses in the region also provide coaching to upcoming players, both residents and visitors.

Famous Indian golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, lauded the fact that many Indians were taking to the sport.

"I think it's fantastic to see so many Indians are playing golf all over the world. They are so keen that they have flown from each and every part of the world to see and participate in this tournament, and I'm proud to be born in the city like Chandigarh. They are hosting a tournament like this, and everybody has made the effort to come down and play and mingle with each other and, you know, make the most out of it," said Singh.

Chandigarh, which is strategically situated and well-connected to all neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, besides the national capital New Delhi, has excellent infrastructure facilities in the hospitality sector.

The city also hosts an annual Chandigarh Golf Open Championship, which attracts national and international players.

Designed by the Swiss-French architect, Le Corbusier and his team of architects, Chandigarh is the first 'planned' city of India. The city has neatly laid out roads and parks, buildings ranging against mountain peaks, boulevards and streets lined by rows of trees and shrubs. By Sunil Kumar (ANI)