Indian professionals Angad Cheema (far left) and Saptak Talwar (second from right) pose with the Andhra Open trophy alongside EPGC secretary M.S.N. Raju, treasurer P. Ramakrishna Rao and PGTI championship director Prabhash Thakur in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
The inaugural edition of the Rs 1 crore Andhra Open will be played at the East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam from Tuesday.
The event is being supported by host venue East Point GC and event partner Andhra Pradesh Golf Association, the DP World PGTI said.
Leading Indian professionals at the event include Order of Merit leader Saptak Talwar, Veer Ahlawat, Om Prakash Chouhan, Angad Cheema (winner at EPGC in 2024), Honey Baisoya and Ajeetesh Sandhu.
The top overseas player at the event is Sri Lanka’s N. Thangaraja, a winner at the EPGC in 2023 besides 17 others from nine countries.
The local challenge will be led by Visakhapatnam-based professionals S. Muthu and Mohammed Rahman.
Attractive venue
“This is the third time we are hosting the PGTI. Player registration is high for the Andhra Open thanks to the course which is tough to play but gives a great experience,” said club honorary secretary M.S.N. Raju at the event launch on Monday.
Added PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl, “We are excited to return to the EPGC and to Visakhapatnam, an emerging golfing centre in the country, for the inaugural edition of the Andhra Open.
“The tournament aligns with our long-term objective of growing the game across all parts of the country.
“The Andhra Open not only brings top-tier golf to the state but also highlights it’s potential as a vibrant golfing destination. We look forward to building a strong legacy for this tournament.”
EPGC was transformed into a championship course in February 2021 and received the Best Renovated Golf Course Award at the GIA Summit 2022 in New Delhi.
The 6,871-yard par-72 course is surrounded by hills and reservoirs, and lined with palm trees and water bodies in plenty.
Also read: Daffue seals DP World PGTI Open title with error-free closing run
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