Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 6: In order to diversify the tourism sector, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today said the Government is linking its golf courses across the State to promote them as showpiece of high-end tourism.
The Chief Minister said this while interacting with a delegation of JK Golf Association, here this morning.
The delegation comprised Raja Ajaz Ali, President, S. S. Wazir, Vice President, and Tanvir Malik, General Secretary, besides other members of the Association.
Placing high priority on making our courses revenue generating assets, Mufti Sayeed said the state has all the attributes of becoming a premier golfing destination. “Golf is one of the key marketing tools for tourism promotion, especially among high-end visitors,” he added.
Presently, J&K has 18-hole golf courses at Srinagar (Royal Springs Golf Course) and at the famous health resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg while work on Sidhra Golf Course at Jammu for becoming 18-hole is presently underway. Another 18-hole golf course at Leh is currently under construction and with its completion, the state will have at least one golf course in all the three regions.
The RSGC, which remains the State’s leading golf course, has so far organized seven tournaments this year while six more events are in the offing. Its Academy has also adopted 30 school kids who will be trained by professionals to become avid golfers.
The Chief Minister was briefed about the activities of JK Golf Association in promotion of the sport and organizing of coaching camps for budding golfers. “J&K has the golf infrastructure which is presently underutilized. We need to organize events of national and international stature to promote the state as an ideal place for golfers,” Raja Ajaz Ali said.
He also requested the Chief Minister to take measures for marketing of Sidhra Golf Course at Jammu so that it is able to come up as a major sporting destination once it becomes 18-hole course.