On course

GOLF: Johnnie Walker Golf Classic comes to India and with it, maybe, a chance to see Tiger Woods in action.

Johnnie Walker Golf Classic, a premier luxury golf event, will be held for the first time in India from February 28-March 2 next year, at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon.

With a prize money of $2.5 million, the event has already started making waves as Vijay Singh of Fiji, ranked 12th in the world, has confirmed his participation.

"I began my professional career in Asia so I am excited to be returning to my old stamping ground for the Johnnie Walker Classic next year. The competition always attracts top international players and is played on some of Asia's finest championship courses," says 44-year-old Singh, a former Masters Tournament and US PGA championship winner.

Unlike India, many tourism boards in the past have actually paid for hosting this prestigious event. First played in Hong Kong in 1990, the Johnnie Walker Classic broke new ground as the first tournament to be jointly sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian golf tours. It has been played in seven countries and at 12 golf clubs over the past 16 years.

Some of the past champions include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Ernie Els. Johnnie Walker and DLF for are tight-lipped about who will be the other participants. Even so, owing to contractual obligations, quite a few of the world's top players are expected to play.

The 7,176 yard DLF championship golf course was designed by golfing legend, Arnold Palmer, and officially opened in late 1999. The manicured parkland course has five lakes, waterfalls and the signature Palmer white-sand bunkers.

Despite that, the DLF course had to go through a stringent selection process before the jury was won over. Teams from Johnnie Walker and IMG, which has always managed the event, came down several times to check out its layout and maintenance. Philippines and South Africa were the other two countries in the fray.

DLF Golf & Country is looking to gain international exposure from this tournament, which will be telecast worldwide. It has reached a "confidential" financial arrangement with Diageo (which owns Johnnie Walker) for hosting the tournament.

Besides, it has facilitated DLF Ltd "" which owns the golf course "" to become one of the co-sponsors of the tournament. While the rest of the co-sponsors still have to be finalised, no player from the real estate category will now be permitted.

The event will not make any money from gate passes or tickets "" ardent fans will have to apply to Diageo or DLF for passes.

Interestingly, this will be the second big golf tournament in February. It will be played three weeks after the Indian Masters to be held at the Delhi Golf Club.

Sponsored by Emaar-MGF, the Indian Masters is also offering a prize money of $2.5 million and has confirmed participation from Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn, besides top Indian golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur.