 The Indian Golf Union (IGU) is the governing body for Golf in India and is working in collaboration with the other associations to promote and develop the game of Golf in the country. Golf is India’s one of the oldest and widely played games which has earned a lot of recognition and reputation all over the world since its inception. IGU is associated to the World Amateur Golf Council (WAGC), the world body for Golf. There is also a provision in the constitution that the IGU can grant affiliation to the clubs, organizations and societies outside the country.
History of the Indian Golf Union Indian Golf Union started its journey on 20th December 1955 and it was established as a result of the efforts taken by a group of professional Golf players in India. Famous personalities like A.D. Vickers, L. Sawhney, I.A. Ogg, R.G.L. Dhakely, S. Patel, I.S. Malik and J.L. Eaplen were the first members of the IGU. Starting with only six golf clubs at the beginning, now it boasts of 194 golf clubs and numerous more under development. The main objective of the IGU was to promote the game of Golf in India and the maintenance of a high standard of the game, in every way possible. Before the establishment of the IGU, Indian Golf was being run and managed by the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) and all Indian Golf Clubs were affiliated to the RCGC. In 1957, a training plan for the Assistant Professional and Caddies form all over the country under George Willard, the trainees were given a systematic grounding in teaching golf. Another important move was the launch of the Inter Zonal championship for which a trophy was instituted by the celebrated golfer of India Mr. IS Malik. In 1958 was another important progress when the All India Amateur championship was held at Delhi Golf club for the first time outside of Kolkata where it was held from 1892. The prestigious Indian Open, being organised under IGU has become a part of the Asian PGA Tour from the year 1998. The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has been organising different training schemes for assistant professionals and caddies from all over the country since 1957. The schemes were organised under the guidance of George Willerd from the Royal Calcutta Club. Amongst other things, trainers were taught to make clubs and were given a stronger grounding in the game's strategies. The Inter Zonal Championship for four teams, representing the four zones, was also started in 1957. In the year 1966, the IGU made arrangements for an annual exchange of visits by Indian and Ceylonese teams. Indian teams have been visiting Ceylon every year since and Ceylonese teams have also visited India in return. Both India and Ceylon teams have participated in the host country's Amateur Championship and also in an International match between the two countries. Role of the Indian Golf Union  Being the central administrative body for Golf in India, the Indian Golf Union (IGU) has been working consistently for the well being of the game in India. It conducts various promotional activities including playing host to a number of international tournaments. Apart from that, it also organises several training programmes for young and budding Indian Golf players. It is in the charge of selecting the Indian national Golf team to represent India in various international events. In 1967, it selected the Indian Golf team for participating in the Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship in Taiwan, for the first time. Out of eight countries, the team played quite well and finished at fourth in the tournament. In October, 1969, the team participated in the 17th World Cup Championship, previously known as the Canada Cup, as well. Due to the organising capabilities of the Indian Golf Union (IGU), India was also chosen the venue for the fifth Asian Amateur Golf Team Championship.
The constitution of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) mentioned about six prominent Golf clubs in India including the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the Tollygunge Club, the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, the Delhi Golf Club, the Willingdon Sports Club and the Madras Gymkhana, as the founder members of the Union. According to the constitution, the Indian Golf Union can offer membership to other Golf clubs, Golf associations and Golf societies in India. The Indian Golf Union (IGU) is always striving hard to ensure that the game of Golf is played by all the age groups in India. It has been encouraging the younger generation to take up Golf as their profession. IGU has constantly been in discussion with the Ministry of Tourism for the development of Golf. The IGU and the Ministry of Tourism have been working together to develop a variety of Golf Courses. The Indian Golf Union is also in charge of organising and supervising different Golf tournaments in India. The IGU mostly follows the rules of St. Andrews of Scotland for the Indian Golf tournaments. It actively helps the Indian Golf clubs that organise several Golf tournaments on a regular basis. Apart from that, it is trying to involve the Indian media for propagating the game and spread the game in the remote areas of India as well. Trophies in the Indian Golf Union Different types of trophies are there in Indian Golf Union which is as follows:
National Events of Indian Golf Union The national events of Indian Golf Union are Amateur Golf Championship of India, All India Ladies Amateur Championship, All India Seniors Golf Championship, All India Junior Golf Championship etc. Satish Aparajit is the current President and Lieutenant General AKS Chandele is the Honourable Secretary of Indian Golf Union. |
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