The Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) will be hosting the 9th Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy - an amateur competition between Europe and Asia-Pacific - from March 24 to 28 here.
It is for the first that the biennial event will be held in India, in which top 12 ranked amateurs of Europe and Asia-Pacific compete.
The tournament showcases the best amateur talent across these continents and many past participants went on to make successful pro careers including Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Francesco Molinari.
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Indians who have represented Asia-Pacific team in this event include Ashok Kumar (2000), Shiv Kapur (2002 and 2004), Ajeetesh Sandhu (2006), Asian Games bronze medallist Khalin Joshi (2012), Chikkarangappa S (2012) and Rashid Khan (2010).
"The KGA course after renovation in 2007 is now up to international standards, with regards to irrigation and drainage. The quality of the fairways and greens is up to standard," said MP Paul, President, KGA.
Bengaluru lad Chikkarangappa who represented the Asia-Pacific team along with Khalin Joshi at Portugal in 2012 commented: "The experience of playing in this tournament in Portugal was simply amazing. You got to be one of the best in Asia-Pacific region as an amateur, perform well not only in India but in the world as well and get your world ranking up in order to make a place for yourself in this competition.
"It is one of the rare tournaments where I was competing against the best in the world. I am very excited that KGA has got the hosting rights for such an important tournament."
Dilip Thomas, Vice Chairman, Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, said, "We chose KGA because of its reputation of a world class course and top class playing conditions and facilities. Since, KGA has won the award as India's best course at the Asian Golf Awards 2010, it is only appropriate to bring the tournament here."
The format of the Bonallack trophy involves 12 players in both the teams and 20 players per session with foursomes and fourballs on the first two days, and then all the players will play the single matches on the last day.
