Ahmedabad: Leading golf courses of Gujarat have come together to promote the golfing culture and has promised a more structured and targeted efforts to promote the state as a golfing destination. Announcing the formation of the Golf Course Owner’s Association (GCOA) at a press briefing in Kensville Golf Academy, Ahmedabad, golf course Owner’s also announced implementation of junior development programs to introduce golf among children. The association has prominent golf clubs of Gujarat as members which include Kalhaar Blues and Greens (KBG), Kensville Golf Club, Gulmohar Greens Golf & Country Club and Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club.

The junior development program implemented by GCOA can be classified into two parts:
(1) Broad basing program where schools and social clubs will be approached to widen the base and produce more golfers and (2) Excellence program where 15-20 good students will be given special training by top level Indian coaches, to bring out winners from them.

Addressing the media, Devang Shah, President, GCOA & MD, Navratna Group said “We are the affiliated state association to the Indian Golf Union which is the parent body of Golf India. The goal of the association is to start interschool tournaments and promote it among various social clubs across the state. In order to erase the notion that golf is a rich man’s game, we are in the process of making the game available to the common man by providing them playing opportunities on State affiliated golf courses. The association aims to spread this game to other cities like Rajkot, Surat and Bharuch where there is a good potential for growth”.

He further added, “We will host various tournaments amongst the existing golfers and for the same we have already started our first tournament called Gujarat State Golf Championship which will be getting over on 23rd October. This tournament was played on all the four golf courses.”

Golf Course Owner’s Association intends to start a golf scholarship program where we will support deserving young kids. The association also wants to host an inter-state golf championship where teams from across India will be invited to participate. The basic aim is to produce global quality players who can compete on an international platform and win a Major or an Olympic medal for our country some day”