Another sport, another league

Some top names in the world of golf, including Major winners, will be seen in action in the inaugural edition of the Golf Premier League (GPL) from February 7-10 at the Aamby Valley Golf Course in Lonavla.

Major winners Darren Clarke (2011 British Open), Angel Cabrera (2009 Masters, 2007 US Open), Michael Campbell (2005 US Open) and Rich Beem (2002 PGA Championship) will all take part in the IPL-style league. Also present will be Asian Tour stalwart Thaworn Wiratchant.

“When I saw the Indian Premier League, I thought it made cricket look cool. I wanted to do the same in golf, without taking away the seriousness, of course,” said Shiv Kapur, the brain behind the event, said. “It would be a great opportunity for the local players to team up with some of the big names. It would be an experience they would cherish for the rest of their life,” the 30-year-old said.

The league will feature two day-night rounds of strokeplay, followed by the third and final round of best-ball format. Each round will be played over 14 holes, instead of the regular 18. Each of the five teams — Delhi Darts, Gujarat Underdawgs, Colombo Sixers, Shubhkamna Eagles and Tamil Nadu Pulis — will comprise four golfers, both local and international.

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene is the promoter of the $400,000 league’s Colombo-based franchise. “We are starting with one team from Sri Lanka and the idea is to add more international franchises going forward,” Kapur said. The auction will be held in the next couple of weeks,” he added.