SHILLONG, July 27: With an aim to give impetus to Golf as a sport in North East (NE), especially amongst the common people, Assam Rifles today organized the Amateurs Open Golf Tournament at their newly developed 18-Hole Golf Course at Laitkor, Shillong.
The first ever tournament of this kind conceptualized under the aegis of Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles, up to 40 young budding golfers took part in the event from all the NE states, including those from Meghalaya.
Speaking to SP News Agency, the IG (Administration) & Captain of Golf Course Brigadier Shammi Raj said, “Such tournaments will hereafter be held regularly in order to enable participation by more and more young golfers from the NE and further popularize the sport of golf and promising golfers will be imparted further training and will be sponsored at the National level.”
Brigadier Shammi Raj further said that sports like Archery, Polo, Football, Wushu and Boxing have gained considerable popularity in the North Eastern States over the years, Golf has remained the exclusive preserve of the elitists, chiefly due to lack of the facility to common people at grass roots level.
“Besides imparting impetus to the sport, the tournament is also expected to further re-enforce the age old ethos and reputation of the Assam Rifles as ‘Friends of the North East Peoples’; as the local populace are also feeling agog about the event,” added Brig. Shammi Raj.
Initially with 9-hole, this course was developed into a full fledge 18-hole course just a year ago and is expected to have locals for learning the sport as well as other players also participating.
With a yardage of over 6000 yards, the course in the Assam Rifles Environmental Park and Training Area (AREPTA) is extremely challenging at an approximate altitude of 5,600 feet and has been recently recognized by the Indian Golf Union – 0353 (EAST).(SP News)
