One of India’s top golfers believes Tiger Woods one day visit next week will generate long lasting interest in golf.
Woods is visiting the world’s largest democratic nation for a first time to compete on Tuesday in an 18-hole corporate outing on the Delhi Golf Club in the India capital.
The 14-time major winner has been invited by Mr. Pawan Munjal, CEO and Managing Director of the Hero Motor Group, and one of the largest motor cycle manufacturers in the world.
Shiv Kapur declaring Tiger Woods short visit to India will have long lasting affects. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ei)
Munjal, who first met Woods in Florida some years’ back during the staging of the annual Tavistock Cup, was in Dubai up until Friday night local time finalising arrangements for Tuesday’s historic visit.
The 14-time Major winner will play alongside Munjal and European Tour based Shiv Kapur, who is also a member at the Delhi Club and is sponsored by Hero.
Kupur is the son of an India stock broker and graduated from Purdue Univesity where he was an all-American.
He is one of India’s most successful golfers first winning the Asian Tour ‘Rookie of the Year’ title in 2005 after winning the Volvo Masters of Asia championship. Kupur’s won twice on the secondary Challenge Tour but still awaits a first main Tour victory.
“Tiger’s visit to India is going to make a huge impact and there is a big buzz already not only in Delhi but the whole country,” said Kupur after shooting a third 70 in Dubai.
“I know the members at my club are very excited and there is going to be people climbing all over the walls just to get a glimpse of Tiger.
“But the interest he will generate even in his short visit it not just from a golf perspective but basically he is one of the biggest celebrities in the world and with him coming to India for a first time is going to generate a huge amount of interest in golf.
“As everyone knows cricket dominates sport in India, so for at least one day the world’s top golfer is going to steal all the attention away from the Sachin Tendulkas and Virender Sehwags, and it’s all going to be about golf and Tiger Woods.
“So I really don’t see any downside in his visit, and I can only see an upside with more attention to golf with Woods coming to India it can only increase the fan base.
“All the members and juniors at Delhi Gofl Club will be watching with enormous interest, and while it will not be open to the media it’s all about promoting the game, Delhi Golf Club and golf.
“Tiger’s already had such a big impact on golf in India because seven or eight years ago we never saw young kids in India taking up golf and now in India those playing the game are getting young and younger and that’s predominantly due to Tiger.
“So his visit to Delhi and India is going to generate huge spin offs.”
Kapur has never met Woods but is expecting to do that before the close of play in Dubai on Sunday.
At present there is only a dozen golf courses in Delhi that boasts a population of close to 18 million whereas there is believed to be some 280 to 300 golf course in India.
While present in Delhi Woods will also unveil a new block of ‘Tiger Woods’ named luxury apartments and the third such block after two prior apartments were named after Formula One seven-time World Champion Michael Schmacher and women’s tennis legend Maria Sharapova.
