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ABOUT INDIAN GOLF UNION
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The Indian Golf Union came into existence in 1955 when a number of senior
golfers realised that the time had come to establish a controlling body
for golf in this country. Until then, the Royal Calcutta Golf Club had
virtually been the governing body of golf in India, much like the Royal
& Ancient golf course of St. Andrews. The objective of the union was
to promote and maintain a high standard of golf in the country.
A special honor was accorded to the six leading clubs
at that time; 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, who were set down in the articles as the
founder members.
The first President was Mr AD Vickers, who had
worked untiringly to bring the Union into being and was mainly
responsible for the preparation of the rules and regulations under which
it was to work.
The affairs of the Union are administered by a
Council of twelve members; three from each of the four zones and the
President working from the Secretariat; consisting of a Secretary.
Amongst
its many functions, the IGU conducts a number to tournaments, the most
important being the All India Amateur and Indian Open. In 1970 the
Indian Open became a part of the Asia Golf circuit and a number of pros
came to India to participate. The Indian Open has become a part of the
Asian PGA Tour from 1998.
With the formation of the World
Amateur Golf Council, the IGU was affiliated to the world body. The
Indian Golf Union is also affiliated to the Asia Pacific Golf
Confederation since its inception.
To give the top amateurs
and professionals instruction and advice, essential to improve playing
standards, the IGU has brought in various foreign professionals. George
Willard came in 1973, Roger Bacon came for four successive years
starting 1974, Douglas Smith in 1977, 1978, Jeffery John in 1982 and Dr
Donato Di Ponziano in 1996-1999.
The IGU has not ignored the
Indian professional golfers. Before the formation of the Professional
Golfers Association of India (PGAI) in 1988, the professional events in
the country were organised and conducted by the Indian Golf Union till
1996.
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