Shiv Kapur and Co set for a big bucks

The Louis Philippe Cup, India's richest domestic golf tournament with a prize money of Rs 1.14 crores, will commence on 5th March, 2012 and will see top professional and amateur golfers from 8 cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Chandigarh and Lucknow -- in action at the Karnataka Golf Association. Anirban Lahiri, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Rai, SSP Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar are expected to participate in this unique event.

In addition to winning the hearts of golf lovers, the tournament also holds great promise for corporate India, with opportunities to sponsor a city team of their choice. Six golfers will represent each of the eight participating cities: three professionals and three amateurs. While two of the members of the 'Pro-Team' will be selected on the basis of their PGTI ranking, the third will be a team choice.

The three amateurs, who will play alongside the pros on the first two days, will be determined on the basis of club championships to be held in three local clubs from each of the participating cities.

Rishi Narain, founder of Rishi Narain Golf Management who have conceptualised and marketed this event said, "We are looking forward to producing an event with unparalleled fan appeal on the domestic golf scene. We hope the "Louis Philippe Cup" will create true superstars out of our pro golfers."

Excited by this novel format, one of India's top pros Anirban Lahiri opined, "As professional tour players, we don't get many chances to play in teams and it does add an entirely new, exciting dimension to the game."

On their association with this path-breaking golf event, Jacob John, Brand Head, Louis Philippe averred, "Golf is a game that symbolises style, sophistication and success: characteristics that are reflected in our brand. Through this event we wanted to build a platform where true golf fans get a chance to play alongside the pros."