Kapil stands up for Asian golf

"We need Asian role models to take the game to the next level," former cricket captain Kapil Dev, who was in Singapore to play the Caltex Singapore Masters, said; "golf needs a push." Last month Kapil, who is a three-handicapper, accepted a position on the Board of Directors on the Asian Golf Tour.

"We need to bring big prize money events to Asia. Once Asia has big events with more prize money, Asian champions will not need to go to Japan, Europe or United States. We can keep them longer in Asia and raise the level of the game," said Kapil.

Is sponsors' interest in corporate golf growing faster than professional golf in India? "Give them (sponsors) more time," said Kapil.

"If there are 70-80 corporate events in India each year, let them grow to 150. Then if we have even 10-20 per cent of them coming to pro golf, it will be great."

But how do you lure corporate sponsors to pro golf? Professionals playing Pro-Ams must interact more with the amateur they play with. They must give them (corporates) tips and make them feel more interested in golf.

It has to be a partnership. Players need to give back to the sponsors for them to come back and give more." His final shot: "This generation must do it for the sake of the next one."