As Indian cricketers prepare to depart New Zealand, another group of world-class Indian sportsmen are preparing to arrive. Six of India’s leading golf professionals, Shiv Kapur, Khalin Joshi, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Viraj Madappa, Chikkarangapa S and Rahil Gangjee, have announced their entry into this year’s 100th New Zealand Open, to be played at The Hills and Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from 28th February to 3rd March.
Led by Kapur, one of India’s highest profile golfers, the Indians will be a true force to reckon with when play gets underway at the end of this month. “Queenstown is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world and watching the Tournament on TV last year just made that decision easy. All players who have competed in the event previously have praised it. The opportunity to play in a unique Pro-Am event similar to the Dunhill and to experience the great kiwi culture has huge appeal,” he says.
Tournament Director Michael Glading is thrilled to have secured six impressive Indian players for the centenary Open: “Last year the Indian Open was scheduled a week after Queenstown, making it tough to get any of these quality players,” he says. With the help of a schedule change for 2019, Glading set about securing as many of the top Indian players as he could.
“It is well-known throughout Asia that India is a growing force in the world of golf, so these players became a priority. Shiv Kapur is a mega star in India and his early acceptance was a big help in convincing others to follow. We are all very grateful to Stephen Fleming for the sell-job he did too,”.
