Srinagar, Aug 02 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is positioning Kashmir as a premier golf tourism destination by showcasing its world-class courses, hosting international tournaments and nurturing young talent, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajad said on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of the DP World India Championship Lotus Trophy at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), Srinagar, Sajad said the championship, marking the beginning of the second half of India’s golf season, reflects the Valley’s growing stature on the country’s golfing map.
“We are projecting Kashmir as a premier golf tourism destination. With world-class courses and participation from 16 foreign professionals, we aim to attract global golfers, promote local talent and boost high-end sports tourism,” Sajad told reporters as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said the Tourism Department has organised several golf-related events over the past six months, including its first junior golf tournament in Pahalgam and a Golf Carnival at the Royal Springs Golf Course.
Highlighting the region’s golfing infrastructure, Sajad said Jammu and Kashmir is home to some of the finest golf courses in the country, including the Royal Springs Golf Course, Kashmir Golf Club, Pahalgam Golf Course and the historic Gulmarg Golf Course, one of the oldest golf courses in the Indian subcontinent.
“Golf is emerging as a major tourism activity globally, and Jammu and Kashmir has the infrastructure and facilities to host international-standard tournaments. Through these events, we want the country and the world to know that the Union Territory offers excellent golf courses and all the facilities required for international-level competitions,” he said.
Sajad said around 16 foreign professional golfers, besides leading Indian professionals, are participating in the ongoing championship, adding that such events provide valuable exposure to local golfers and encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.
Referring to the recent meeting of the RSGC Board of Directors, he said the board has approved a membership drive to encourage more golf enthusiasts and aspiring players to join the sport.
“Our focus is particularly on juniors. Greater participation at the grassroots level will help raise the standard of golf and enable our players to compete at the national and international levels,” he said.
Sajad added that the Tourism Department intends to organise more golf tournaments in Kashmir to further promote golf tourism, attract more visitors and make sustained investments in the development of the sport across Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)