Bangalore: The TAKE Solutions India Masters will make its return to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Schedule in October with an increased prize fund of US$120,000, officials announced today.
The second edition of the event will be staged at the Eagleton – The Golf Village from October 28 to 31, with a significant 71% increase in prize purse from the US$70,000 offered last year.
TAKE Solutions and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) have once again joined forces to stage the TAKE Solutions India Masters where money earned by players will be counted towards the ADT and PGTI Order of Merits.
The inaugural TAKE Solutions India Masters was won by local young talent Chikka S. and it will be the burgeoning Tour’s only stop in India this season, raising the schedule to a record 23 tournaments in total.
Asian Tour Commercial Director Shahid Sen hailed the strong commitment from TAKE Solutions to grow the game of golf in India and across the region. “We sincerely thank TAKE Solutions for their continued support to the TAKE Solutions India Masters and in promoting the sport of golf in India,” said Shahid.
PGTI Director, Padamjit Sandhu, said: “We are happy to count the Take Solutions India Masters on the PGTI Order of Merit, and the World Ranking points on offer will help young Indian professionals migrate to the Asian Tour, and stake a claim for a spot at the 2016 Olympic games. We thank Take Solutions for their continued support to professional golf, and are confident that the event will help create more Indian champions.”
Starting with five tournaments in 2010, the ADT schedule grew to 21 events in 2014 and now comprises of a record 23 events in total for the 2015 season.
The top-five finishers on the final Order of Merit will earn playing rights in the 2016 Asian Tour season. The winner of the TAKE Solutions India Masters, like all other ADT events, will receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning OWGR points through the Asian Tour and ADT.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com
About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.