Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as one of the promising golfers’ destination and the government will make all out efforts to develop the state as a hotspot for sports tourism. “Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as one of the most promising golfers’ destination. Sports tourism has greater potential in the state which needs to be harnessed to its optimum,” he added.Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Sher-i-Kashmir Golf Tournament, Mir said the development of golf courses in Jammu and Ladakh besides upgrading the existing ones in Gulmarg and Pahalgam will give fillip to the golf activities in the State. He said that organizing various tournaments would provide opportunity to the golfers of the State and the Country as also international players to participate in these tournaments and enjoy the golf in picturesque destinations of Jammu and Kashmir in different geographical zones and varied climatic conditions. He asked the authorities to organize such events at all venues.
Giving credit to the people for restoration of peace in the Valley, Mir noted that the prevailing normalcy in the state has provided a big boost to its tourism sector and gave a push to the economic activities.Appreciating the organizers, Mir welcomed the participants for the event and invited them to play golf at other picturesque golf courses of the State.
Mir distributed the trophies and prizes amongst the Golfers on the occasion and complimented the efforts of the JKGA for the promotion of golf in the State. He stressed the need for imparting training to the younger Golfers of the State so that the golf potential of the state is exploited and chiseled to compete at the national and international circuits. The 3rd JK Golf Association Tournament in association with Pahalgam Hotel Association, Kashmir Golf Club and Pahalgam Development Authority was played at Pahalgam Golf Course, in which as many as 120 members of the Association from the State participated in the tournament.The tournament was played between the members of Chinar and Pine Teams. The Pine team was declared winner, while as Chinar team was declared runner up. Besides the main trophy, there were other spot prizes which were won by the inpidual golfers.