New Delhi: Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev, renowned for leading India to its historic World Cup victory in 1983, is all set to steer Indian golf into a new era as he assumes the role of President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Kapil’s election as president comes following his unanimous selection by the board, marking a significant moment in the organization’s leadership transition from H R Srinivasan, whose tenure recently concluded.
Having joined the PGTI board in 2021 and previously serving as its Vice President, Kapil Dev brings a wealth of sporting leadership experience to his new role. His vision for Indian golf is ambitious, aiming to build upon the success of Indian professional golfers on international platforms.
“Indian pro golfers have been performing exceptionally well over the past few years. We now have Indian professionals competing in major Tours worldwide, and for the third consecutive time, we will see Indian golfers at the Olympics. Our tour is robust, and we aim to strengthen it further in the coming years,” remarked the 65-year-old sports icon.
Kapil Dev’s influence on Indian golf extends beyond administration. He introduced one of the most prestigious events on the PGTI calendar, the Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational tournament. This tournament, valued at INR 2 crore (approximately $240,000), has quickly become a highlight, attracting top golfing talent and elevating the stature of Indian professional golf.