Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Ms Priya Sethi today said that efforts are being made to develop Jammu into an international level golf destination.Priya Sethi said this while attending the prize distribution ceremony of the ‘Temple Land Invitational Golf Tournament’ at Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Sidhra.The Minister said that the 18 hole Jammu Tawi Golf course is a step in this direction which has been developed according to the international standards and is equipped to host national and international level tournaments.The Minister further said efforts are being made to integrate golf firmly with the state tourism infrastructure and special packages are being developed in coordination with the JKTDC which will enable visitors to not only make use of our various golf courses in the state but also be able to enjoy vistas our state has to offer.
The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has a geographical advantage which when properly utilized can make J&K frequent host for the international level golf tournaments. ‘Whereas the golf courses available in Kashmir are open to people in summers, Jammu Tawi Golf Course provide year round location available to the national and international golf lovers’ the Minister added.The Minister also said efforts are being made to increase affiliations with other major clubs in the country so that inter club tournaments can be organized.The Minister also commended the Secretary JTGC, Sidhra Course for his efforts in successful restoration of this golf course after the 2014 floods.The Minister further asked the Secretary to make use of the funding available under the centrally sponsored scheme for holding of national and international tournaments and further promotion of golf in Jammu.Addressing the concerns of gender imbalance in golf, she said that focused efforts need to be made including special strategies to attract women to this sporting activity.
She directed the Secretary JTGC, Sidhra, the host for today’s event to make provisions for small luncheons, brunches and other activities during the golf tournaments organized here so that visitors, families can come with the participants and be introduced to this sport.The Minister also informed the gathering that measures have been taken to resolve the long pending demand of patrons of JTGC regarding the improvement of food quality at the golf course and therefore the restaurant catering will soon be outsourced.The Minister also distributed prizes among the winners of ‘Temple Land Invitational Golf Tournament’.I Bhattachaye and Col Maxval Roberts won the tournament while Karman Singh secured award for longest drive, Tejinder Singh Virk for straight drive and Muqudar Sawhney for closest to pin.Earlier in the day, the Chief Secretary B.R. Sharma teed off the tournament in the presence of players and other dignitaries.Also present in the ceremony were Secretary Tourism Farooq A. Shah, Director Tourism Sushma Chauhan and Secretary JTGC B.B.S Bali.